Which compound is formed during the hydration of fumarate?

During the hydration of fumarate, the compound that is formed is malate. This step is an important part of the citric acid cycle, where fumarate, which is a double-bonded compound, undergoes the addition of water (hydration). The enzymatic reaction facilitated by fumarase adds a hydroxyl group and a hydrogen atom across the double bond of fumarate, resulting specifically in malate, which is a three-carbon compound with a hydroxyl group attached. This transformation is key in the cycle as it enables the subsequent conversion of malate to oxaloacetate, allowing the cycle to continue.

Understanding this process emphasizes the role of hydration in organic reactions and how it pertains specifically to the metabolism of carbohydrates and energy production in the citric acid cycle.