amino acid

[uh-mee-noh as-id]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of organic compounds that contains at least one amino group, –NH 2 , and one carboxyl group, –COOH: the alpha-amino acids, RCH(NH2 )COOH, are the building blocks from which proteins are constructed.

amino acid

noun

1. any of a group of organic compounds containing one or more amino groups, -NH 2 , and one or more carboxyl groups, -COOH. The alpha-amino acids RCH(NH 2 )COOH (where R is either hydrogen or an organic group) are the component molecules of proteins; some can be synthesized in the body ( nonessential amino acids ) and others cannot and are thus essential components of the diet ( essential amino acids )

amino acid

1. Any of a large number of compounds found in living cells that contain carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, and join together to form proteins. Amino acids contain a basic amino group (NH ₂) and an acidic carboxyl group (COOH), both attached to the same carbon atom. Since the carboxyl group has a proton available for binding with the electrons of another atom, and the amino group has electrons available for binding with a proton from another atom, the amino acid behaves as an acid and a base simultaneously. Twenty of the naturally occurring amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which they form by being connected to each other in chains. Eight of those twenty, called essential amino acids, cannot be synthesized in the cells of humans and must be consumed as part of the diet. The remaining twelve are nonessential amino acids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amino acid¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

It is like humans eating a diet without carbohydrates, amino acids, or other vital nutrients.

From BBC

“It also has methane and other molecules, including amino acids.”

From Salon

They are formed when bacteria break down amino acids containing sulfur.

From Salon

No one mentioned the common names for these ingredients: seaweed, vitamin B2, and MSG, a common amino acid that has been demonized because it's popular in Asian food.

From Salon

Plants use an amino acid called lysine for many things, including as a part of their detection and response to pests.

From Salon