homogentisic acid

[ hoh-muh-jen-tis-ik, -tiz-, hoh- ]

noun

1. an intermediate compound in the metabolism of tyrosine and of phenylalanine, found in excess in the blood and urine of persons affected with alkaptonuria.

Word History and Origins

Origin of homogentisic acid¹

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + gentisic acid

Example Sentences

Mice that have been genetically modified to develop hereditary tyrosinemia, a human liver disease, will resist the disease if they also lose another gene on chromosome 16 called homogentisic acid dioxygenase.

From Scientific American