Citric acid
Citric Acid
Citric acid (/ˈsɪtrɪk/ SIT-rik) is a weak organic acid that has the molecular formula C6H8O7. It occurs naturally in citrus fruits. In biochemistry, it is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, which occurs in the metabolism of all aerobic organisms.
Etymology
The term "citric" comes from the Latin citrus, which refers to the citrus family of fruits where citric acid is found in high concentrations. The chemical suffix "-ic" is derived from the Latin "-icus", meaning "pertaining to".
Related Terms
- Citric Acid Cycle: A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and carbon dioxide.
- Acid: A molecule or ion capable of donating a proton (hydrogen ion H+), or, alternatively, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair.
- Organic Compound: Any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon.
- Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.
- Aerobic Organism: An organism that can survive and grow in an oxygenated environment.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Citric acid
- Wikipedia's article - Citric acid
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