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

Because glycine can form under a variety of chemical conditions, scientists often use it as a marker for early prebiotic chemistry.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

"Here at Penn State, we have modified instrumentation that allows us to make isotopic measurements on really low abundances of organic compounds like glycine," Baczynski said.

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

For successful viral entry into liver cells, a smaller amino acid like glycine, as found in hNTCP, is necessary.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

For example, an amino-acid derived from acetic acid, CH3·COOH, is glycine, or amino-acetic acid, CH2NH2·COOH; from propionic acid, CH3·CH2·COOH, there may be obtained either α-amino-propionic acid, CH3·CHNH2·COOH, or β-amino-propionic acid, CH2NH2·CH2·COOH, etc.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred