glycine

American  

[glahy-seen, glahy-seen] / ˈglaɪ sin, glaɪˈsin /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, sweet, water-soluble solid, H 2 NCH 2 COOH, the simplest amino acid: used chiefly in organic synthesis and biochemical research. Gly; G

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glycine British  

/ ɡlaɪˈsiːn, ˈɡlaɪsiːn /

noun

1. a nonessential amino acid occurring in most proteins that acts as a neurotransmitter; aminoacetic acid

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glycine Scientific  

/ glī′sēn′,-sĭn /

1. A nonessential amino acid. Glycine is the simplest amino acid. Chemical formula: C ₂ H ₅ NO ₂ .

2. See more at amino acid

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Etymology

Origin of glycine

First recorded in 1850–55; glyc- + -ine ²

Example Sentences

For many years, the leading explanation for how glycine formed was a process known as Strecker synthesis.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

Katie decided to try magnesium glycinate - a combination of magnesium and glycine, an amino acid with limited evidence linking it to better sleep.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2025

As hypertensive pulmonary blood vessels metabolize glutamine and serine, they create two new amino acids, called proline and glycine.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2024

It acquired Australian Mining & Process Solutions last year, which developed innovative glycine leaching technology that can cut cyanide usage in mining by about half, depending on the circumstances.

From Reuters • Jun. 30, 2023

Half asleep, they could hear the joyous crickets chirping and the showers falling; the breath of the autumn earth—honeysuckle, clematis, glycine, and new-mown hay—filled the house and soothed their senses.

From Jean-Christophe Journey's End by Cannan, Gilbert