Definition of tryptophan in English:
tryptophan
noun ˈtrɪptəfanˈtrɪptəˌfæn
mass nounBiochemistry An amino acid which is a constituent of most proteins. It is an essential nutrient in the diet of vertebrates.
An indole derivative; chemical formula: C₈H₆NCH₂CH(NH₂)COOH
Example sentencesExamples
- Peptides are named by the position of tryptophan in the amino acid sequence.
- For example, eggs are high in alanine and methionine; whey protein is high in tryptophan and threonine.
- Negative dietary changes are related to the deficiency of maize in the amino acids tryptophan and lysine.
- Key essential amino acids are valine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan and methionine.
- Two known enzymes catabolize the essential amino acid tryptophan in mammals.
Origin
Late 19th century: from tryptic 'relating to trypsin' + Greek phainein 'appear'.
Definition of tryptophan in US English:
tryptophan
nounˈtriptəˌfanˈtrɪptəˌfæn
Biochemistry An amino acid which is a constituent of most proteins. It is an essential nutrient in the diet of vertebrates.
An indole derivative; chemical formula: C₈H₆NCH₂CH(NH₂)COOH
Example sentencesExamples
- Negative dietary changes are related to the deficiency of maize in the amino acids tryptophan and lysine.
- Peptides are named by the position of tryptophan in the amino acid sequence.
- For example, eggs are high in alanine and methionine; whey protein is high in tryptophan and threonine.
- Two known enzymes catabolize the essential amino acid tryptophan in mammals.
- Key essential amino acids are valine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan and methionine.
Origin
Late 19th century: from tryptic ‘relating to trypsin’ + Greek phainein ‘appear’.