glutamic acid

noun

glu·​tam·​ic acid (ˌ)glü-ˈta-mik- 

: a crystalline amino acid C₅H₉NO₄ widely distributed in plant and animal proteins

Examples of glutamic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its fermentation process promotes the growth of probiotics and creates amino acids, including glutamic acid. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024

These antibodies, found in excess in most people with SPS, block the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme, which is important to the production of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024

Also concerning are Magnesium Aspartate and Magnesium Glutamate because of the additional ingredients — glutamic acid and aspartic acid, that are added. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024

The switch of an A to a T in the genetic code for hemoglobin results in a hemoglobin protein with a valine instead of a glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary gluten + amino + -ic

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

glutamic acid

noun

glu·​tam·​ic acid (ˌ)glü-ˌtam-ik- 

: an amino acid found in many plant and animal proteins and used in the form of a sodium salt as a seasoning

Medical Definition

glutamic acid

noun

glu·​tam·​ic acid (ˌ)glü-ˌtam-ik- 

: a crystalline amino acid C₅H₉NO₄ that is widely distributed in plant and animal proteins and that acts throughout the central nervous system especially in the form of a salt or ester as a neurotransmitter which excites postsynaptic neurons

—abbreviation Glu