tryptophan
See also: Tryptophan
English edit
Etymology edit
From German Tryptophan, from Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō, “to appear”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
tryptophan (countable and uncountable, plural tryptophans)
- (biochemistry) An essential amino acid with an indole side chain; present in many foods, especially chocolate, oats, banana and milk; it is essential for normal growth and development and is the precursor of serotonin and niacin; any specific form of this compound, or any derivative of it.
- 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2004, page 169:
- The quickest way to raise serotonin levels again is to send more tryptophan into the brain, because serotonin is made from tryptophan.
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Translations edit
essential amino acid
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