noun
- salts or esters of pectic acid, found in plant cell walls
Usage: chemistry; botany
Examples
- Pectates help maintain the structural integrity of plant tissues.
- The enzyme pectate lyase breaks down pectates in the cell wall.
- Calcium pectates are important components of the middle lamella.
- Scientists studied how pectates contribute to fruit ripening.
- The breakdown of pectates causes fruits to soften as they mature.