Definition

A necessary building block for proteins that the body cannot produce on its own, and must be obtained from food.

Example

Lysine is important for the growth and maintenance of tissues in the body.

Conversation

Have you heard about the benefits of lysine?

Yeah, I read that it's important for muscle growth.

Exactly! It's one of those essential amino acids we need.

Right, and it's found in foods like meat and beans.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lysine comes from the Greek word "lysis" (meaning to loosen or dissolve) combined with the suffix "-ine" (used to denote substances). The word lysine refers to an amino acid that is essential for protein synthesis, thus relating to the idea of loosening or breaking down proteins.

Memory Tip

Think of 'lysis' meaning to 'loosen' or 'dissolve' — lysine is an amino acid that helps in the building and breaking down of proteins.

Visually Confused Words