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amino acid
noun
: an amphoteric organic acid containing the amino group NH2
especially
: any of the various amino acids having the amino group in the alpha position that are the chief components of proteins and are synthesized by living cells or are obtained as essential components of the diet
Examples of amino acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pea protein is a fantastic choice for those who want a vegan protein but want a complete amino acid profile.
—
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 20 June 2024
The mothers also get plenty of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, from snacking on their partners.
—
Ben Guarino, Popular Science, 13 June 2024
For instance, only a few years after Francis Crick, James Watson and several of their colleagues deduced the structure of DNA, researchers found that some RNA, called transfer RNA, grabs onto amino acids that eventually get strung together into proteins.
—
Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
Using these alignments, a separate software module figured out the spatial relationships among pairs of amino acids within the target protein.
—
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 8 May 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amino acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1897, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near amino acid
Cite this Entry
“Amino acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amino%20acid. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
amino acid
noun
ami·no acid
ə-ˈmē-nō-
: any of numerous acids that include some which are the building blocks of proteins and are made by living cells from simpler compounds or are obtained in the diet
Medical Definition
amino acid
noun
: an amphoteric organic acid containing the amino group NH2
especially
: alpha-amino acid
More from Merriam-Webster on amino acid
Nglish: Translation of amino acid for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about amino acid
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