Definition

A necessary building block for proteins that the body cannot produce on its own, found in many foods and important for growth and health.

Example

Phenylalanine is found in high-protein foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of phenylalanine?

Yeah, I think it's an important amino acid, right?

Exactly! It's essential for our bodies, especially for growth in infants.

That's interesting! I didn't know it played such a big role.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Phenylalanine is formed from "phenyl" (from Greek "phaino" meaning to show or appear) and "alanine" (from the Latin "alanina", a derivative of "alanus", meaning a type of amino acid). The word refers to an amino acid that contains a phenyl group, which is a specific arrangement of carbon atoms that appears in its structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'phenyl' as something that 'appears' or shows itself, combined with 'alanine', which is a type of amino acid. This helps you remember that phenylalanine is an amino acid that features a phenyl group.

Visually Confused Words