ketone
This term describes a specific structural arrangement in organic chemistry where a carbon atom is double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to two other carbons. This creates a polar functional group that makes these molecules useful as industrial solvents and precursors in chemical synthesis.
In a biological context, the term often appears in discussions regarding metabolism and nutrition. When the body lacks carbohydrates, it produces ketone bodies, which serve as an alternative fuel source for the brain and muscles during fasting or ketogenic dieting.
Countable when referring to a specific chemical species (a ketone). Uncountable when referring to the general class of compounds or the presence of the substance in a biological sample.