amino acids

Cultural  

1. Basic organic molecules (see also organic molecule) that combine to form proteins. Amino acids are made up of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. Some examples of amino acids are lysine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.

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Amino acids are the basic molecular building blocks of proteins.

Example Sentences

“You build on the brain’s natural ability to bring in important things, like iron or amino acids, and catch a ride,” he says.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Future studies will look more closely at how methionine works, whether other amino acids may produce similar or complementary effects, and how the findings might translate to people.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

Peptides—short chains of amino acids marketed for recovery, muscle growth and antiaging—have become popular among U.S. wellness figures including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Joe Rogan, despite limited evidence for many of their claimed benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

During this process, ribosomes move along mRNA strands and assemble proteins by adding amino acids one at a time.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Rice and soy meal help when we can get them, to balance our amino acids and keep our muscle tissue from digesting itself in the process known picturesquely as kwashiorkor.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver