nonessential amino acid
noun
: any of various amino acids that are required for normal health and growth, that can be synthesized within the body or derived in the body from essential amino acids, and that include alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine compare essential amino acid
Examples of nonessential amino acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
L-Theanine is a nonessential amino acid that promotes relaxation and attention.
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The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022
The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonessential amino acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of nonessential amino acid was
in 1952
Dictionary Entries Near nonessential amino acid
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential amino acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential%20amino%20acid. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Medical Definition
nonessential amino acid
noun
: any of various amino acids that are required for normal health and growth, which can be synthesized within the body or derived in the body from essential amino acids, and which include alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine compare essential amino acid
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