Keto acid

Keto acid or ketoacid refers to any organic acid that contains a carbonyl group (C=O) and a carboxyl group (COOH). The term "keto acid" is often used to describe several specific substances, such as pyruvic acid and acetoacetic acid, which play key roles in metabolism.

Structure and Properties

Keto acids are characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group and a carboxyl group. The carbonyl group is a functional group composed of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom: C=O. The carboxyl group is a functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and also bonded to a hydroxyl group: COOH.

Role in Metabolism

Keto acids play a crucial role in metabolism, the process by which organisms convert food into energy. They are intermediates in the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle, which is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy.

One of the most important keto acids is pyruvic acid, which is a key intermediate in several metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the synthesis of amino acids.

Another important keto acid is acetoacetic acid, which is a ketone body. Ketone bodies are three water-soluble molecules (acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and their spontaneous breakdown product, acetone) that are produced by the liver from fatty acids during periods of low food intake (fasting), carbohydrate restrictive diets, starvation, prolonged intense exercise, alcoholism or in untreated (or inadequately treated) type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Keto Acidosis

Ketoacidosis is a metabolic state associated with high concentrations of ketone bodies, formed by the breakdown of fatty acids and the deamination of amino acids. The two common types are diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and alcoholic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that can result in coma or death if not treated promptly.

See Also

• Metabolic pathway
• Ketosis
• Ketogenic diet