ketone body

ketone body

n. Any of three compounds, acetoacetic acid, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid, that are ketones or derivatives of ketones and are intermediate products of fatty acid metabolism. Ketone bodies accumulate in the blood and urine when fats are being used for energy instead of carbohydrates, as in individuals affected by starvation or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Also called acetone body.

ketone body

n (Biochemistry) biochem any of three compounds (acetoacetic acid, 3-hydroxybutanoic acid, and acetone) produced when fatty acids are broken down in the liver to provide a source of energy. Excess ketone bodies are present in the blood and urine of people unable to use glucose as an energy source, as in diabetes and starvation. Also called: acetone body

ke′tone bod′y

n. any of several compounds, as acetoacetic acid, acetone, and hydroxybutyric acid, that are intermediate in the metabolism of fatty acids and are produced in excessive amounts under certain abnormal conditions, as in diabetes mellitus. [1910–15]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ketone body - a ketone that is an intermediate product of the breakdown of fats in the body; any of three compounds (acetoacetic acid, acetone, and/or beta-hydroxybutyric acid) found in excess in blood and urine of persons with metabolic disordersacetone bodyketone - any of a class of organic compounds having a carbonyl group linked to a carbon atom in each of two hydrocarbon radicalsacetoacetic acid - unstable acid found in abnormal amounts in the blood and urine in some cases of impaired metabolism (as diabetes mellitus or starvation)beta-hydroxybutyric acid - beta derivative of hydroxybutyric acid that is found in the blood and urine in some cases of impaired metabolism