KETONE BODIES Meaning and
Definition
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Ketone bodies are organic compounds produced by the liver when the body's supply of glucose is insufficient to meet energy demands. The primary ketone bodies are acetoacetate, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyrate.
Under normal circumstances, the body uses glucose, derived from dietary carbohydrates, as its main source of energy. However, in certain situations such as prolonged fasting, low carbohydrate diet, or uncontrolled diabetes, the body shifts its energy production from glucose to fatty acids. As fats are broken down in the liver, ketone bodies are formed as byproducts.
Ketone bodies serve as an alternative energy source to glucose, particularly for tissues like the brain which typically rely on glucose as fuel. They are able to traverse the blood-brain barrier and are converted back into acetyl-CoA to enter the Krebs cycle, producing ATP (the body's energy currency).
Higher levels of ketone bodies in the blood, a state known as ketosis, can occur in fasting, starvation, or during the process of ketogenesis induced by ketogenic diets. This metabolic state is also evident in conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, where inadequate insulin levels lead to an overproduction of ketone bodies.
Ketone bodies can be measured in the blood, urine, or breath, and their elevation can be an indicator of specific metabolic states. While ketone bodies are essential for survival during fasting or dietary interventions, prolonged or excessive levels can have detrimental effects on health, such as leading to ketoacidosis or ketone body accumulation in tissues.
Common Misspellings for KETONE BODIES
- jetone bodies
- metone bodies
- letone bodies
- oetone bodies
- ietone bodies
- kwtone bodies
- kstone bodies
- kdtone bodies
- krtone bodies
- k4tone bodies
- k3tone bodies
- kerone bodies
- kefone bodies
- kegone bodies
- keyone bodies
- ke6one bodies
- ke5one bodies
- ketine bodies
- ketkne bodies
- ketlne bodies
Etymology of KETONE BODIES
The term "ketone bodies" is derived from the combination of two words: "ketone" and "bodies".
The word "ketone" stems from the German term "Ketonen", which was coined by the chemist Hermann Pauly in 1851. Pauly derived it from the German word "Aketon", which was introduced in 1848 by the chemist Leopold Gmelin. "Aketon" was formed by substituting the "k" in "acetone" with the "a" of the Greek prefix "a-", indicating the absence of hydrogen.
On the other hand, "bodies" in this context refers to substances produced by the body. It is derived from the Old English word "bodig", ultimately traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "budagaz", meaning "trunk" or "body".
