Definition

A type of amino acid that is found in many proteins and is important for various biological processes in the body.

Example

Alanine is one of the 20 amino acids used by cells to synthesize proteins.

Conversation

Hey, have you ever heard of alanine?

Yeah, it's an amino acid, right?

Exactly! It's actually found in many proteins we eat.

I read that it's nonessential, so our bodies can make it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Alanine** → The word 'alanine' is derived from 'alanine' (from the Latin 'alanina', which is a derivative of 'alānus', meaning 'of or pertaining to the wing'). The term refers to an amino acid that is a building block of proteins, and its name reflects its structure and relation to other amino acids.

Memory Tip

Think of 'alanine' as a building block of proteins, where the name connects to its structure and function in the body.

Visually Confused Words