Definition

A type of amino acid that is found in many proteins and is important for various biological functions. It can be derived from aspartic acid and is present in some plants, especially asparagus.

Example

Asparagine plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins in the body.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the amino acid asparagine?

Yeah, I think it's found in asparagus, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how it plays a role in proteins.

For sure! I love learning about the different nutrients in food.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Asparagine is derived from the word 'asparagus' (from Latin 'asparagus', meaning sprout or shoot) and the suffix '-ine' (used in chemistry to denote a substance). The word 'asparagine' refers to an amino acid that was first isolated from asparagus, thus linking its name to the plant.

Memory Tip

Think of 'asparagus' as the source of 'asparagine' — this helps you remember that asparagine is an amino acid derived from this plant.

Visually Confused Words