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(NH 2 )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

The energy that is being harvested as part of this research is being generated by squeezing amino acid molecules, the building blocks of proteins that exist in the human body.

From Science Daily

When Salmonella enters the small intestine, it causes inflammation in the gut lining and disrupts the normal absorption of amino acids from food.

From Science Daily

Genes contain the essential building instructions for life, guiding cells on which amino acids to assemble in what sequence to produce specific proteins.

From Science Daily

If it also harbors organic compounds such as amino acids, which form the proteins that make up cells, then Europa could be home to alien life-forms.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2003 Prof Baker used amino acids to design a new protein, opening the door to the creation of new proteins used in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other tools.

From BBC