Definition

A colorless compound that is part of proteins and is formed when proteins break down. It is important for various biological functions in the body.

Example

Histidin is an essential amino acid that plays a role in protein synthesis.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of histidin?

I think I read something about it in a biology class.

Yeah, it’s interesting how it's formed from proteins.

Definitely! I find it fascinating how our bodies use histidin.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Histidine is derived from the Greek word "histos" (meaning tissue) and the suffix "-idine" (often used in chemistry to denote a compound). The word refers to an amino acid that is important in the structure of proteins, particularly in tissues.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tissue' ('histos') to remember that histidine is an amino acid important for building and maintaining tissues.

Visually Confused Words