malate
This term is used exclusively within the domains of biochemistry and organic chemistry. It refers to a specific chemical species derived from malic acid, typically appearing in the context of metabolic pathways such as the Krebs cycle. Because it describes a specific chemical entity, it is used in a highly technical register and is rarely encountered outside of scientific literature or laboratory settings.
As a chemical name for a salt or ester, the term is treated as an uncountable mass noun. It describes the substance itself rather than individual units, meaning it does not typically take a plural form in standard scientific usage.
Meanings
Examples
The enzyme malate dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate.
The researcher measured the concentration of malate in the mitochondrial matrix.