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essential amino acid

noun

Biochemistry.
  1. any amino acid that is required by an animal for growth but that cannot be synthesized by the animal's cells and must be supplied in the diet.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of essential amino acid1

First recorded in 1935–40
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She realized that, while it’s not an essential amino acid for us, pipecolic acid is also present in humans.

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The chemical works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway in plants that is crucial for producing essential amino acids.

Two key factors determine the quality of a protein: its essential amino acid content and how well it is digested and absorbed.

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Contrary to popular belief, he said, the idea that plants can't deliver all of the essential amino acids is "complete mythology."

From Salon

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in many protein-rich foods, including meats, fish, dairy products, and certain seeds and nuts.

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