How Do You Spell ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE?

1. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) refers to a group of enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown and metabolism of aldehydes in living organisms. Aldehydes are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydrogen atom (-H) and a carbon chain.

   ALDH is responsible for the oxidation of aldehydes into carboxylic acids, using a cofactor called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) or its phosphorylated form, NADP+. This oxidation process involves the removal of hydrogen atoms from the aldehyde molecule, resulting in the formation of a carboxyl group (COOH), which is characteristic of carboxylic acids.

   The activity of ALDH is vital in various physiological processes such as the breakdown of alcohol (ethanol) in the liver, the metabolism of certain drugs and environmental toxins, and the synthesis and degradation of various biomolecules. It also plays a significant role in converting retinaldehyde into retinoic acid, a crucial step in the synthesis of vitamin A.

   Dysfunction or deficiency in ALDH enzymes can lead to various pathological conditions, including alcohol intolerance, metabolic disorders, and even certain types of cancers. Moreover, genetic variations in ALDH enzymes have been linked to the development of alcoholism and increased susceptibility to certain drug toxicities.

   In summary, aldehyde dehydrogenase is a group of enzymes that facilitate the oxidation of aldehydes, converting them into carboxylic acids, and is involved in numerous physiological processes critical for normal cellular functioning.

Common Misspellings for ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE

The word "Aldehyde Dehydrogenase" has its etymology as follows:

1. Aldehyde: The term "aldehyde" originated from the word "aldēhȳd" coined by the German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. It is derived from the combination of the Arabic prefix "al-" meaning "the" and the Latin root "dehydrogenatus" meaning "dehydrogenated". The name indicates that aldehydes are produced when alcohol is dehydrogenated.

2. Dehydrogenase: The term "dehydrogenase" is composed of two parts. The prefix "de-" comes from the Latin preposition meaning "removal" or "away". The word "hydrogen" originates from the Greek "hydrogenes", formed by combining "hydor" meaning "water" and "genes" meaning "origin".