amino acid
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GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/nutrientrequirements/WHO_TRS_935/en/ (last access: 8 November 2015); EncBrit – http://global.britannica.com/science/amino-acid (last access: 8 November 2015).

N: 1. amino-, element in compound words involving chemicals, from combination form of amine, and acid from Latin acidus.
Attested from 1898.
2. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins. Twenty amino acids make up proteins in living organisms; several hundred more amino acids perform specialized functions in human and non-human biology.
Amino acids are often described as

  • Essential (must be obtained directly from food)
  • Non-essential (the human body is able to produce them on its own)

3. Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life.
When proteins are digested or broken down, amino acids are left. The human body uses amino acids to make proteins to help the body:

  • Break down food
  • Grow
  • Repair body tissue
  • Perform many other body functions

Amino acids are classified into three groups:

  • Essential amino acids
  • Nonessential amino acids
  • Conditional amino acids.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=amino+acid&searchmode=none; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=amino&searchmode=none (last access: 5 November 2015). 2. Access Medicine – http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?sectionid=39898606&bookid=397&Resultclick=2&q=amino%20acids (last access: 5 November 2015). 3. MEDLP – https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002222.htm (last access: 6 November 2015).

SYN: aminated acid

S: TERMIUM PLUS – index=alt&codom2nd=&srchtxt=AMINOACID”>http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=&index=alt&index=alt&codom2nd=&srchtxt=AMINOACID (last access: 5 November 2015)

OV: aminoacid

S: TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 5 November 2015).

CR: alanine, carnitine, peptide, protein, serotonin, translation (2), ubiquitin, umami, vitamin.