Malate is a compound necessary for photosynthesis.
Keyword:
photosynthesis
Keyword:
mitochondria
Citation of a publication:
P.van der Sluis, J.Kroon (1985)
Acta
Crystallogr.,Sect.C:Cryst.Struct.Commun.,41,9
56
Layman's explanation:
Malate, or Malic acid, is found readily in fruits and in the leaves of C4 and CAM plants as storage for carbon dioxide (CO2). In C4 plants, malate is an intermediate during
photosynthesis, while in CAM plants it is used to store the CO2 until the
stomata are closed at night. It is also key to the production of ATP by the
mitochondria. Oxaloacetate is reduced to malate, which is then transported into
the mitochondria. Malic acid is frequently used for flavoring of an assortment of
products. It is also used as a drug to assist ATP formation, ensuring proper muscle function at even low oxygen levels.
Lab name:
Common molecules
Sample provider:
Obtained courtesy of the Cambridge Structural Database
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