Definition

A necessary building block for proteins that the body cannot produce on its own. It helps in growth and development and is important for making substances like serotonin, which affects mood.

Example

Eating foods rich in tryptophan can help improve your mood and sleep.

Conversation

Did you know that turkey contains a lot of tryptophan?

Really? I always thought it just made people sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner.

Yeah, it’s actually an essential amino acid our bodies need.

That makes sense! I guess it's not just the big meal that makes us drowsy.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tryptophan is derived from the Greek roots "tryptein" (meaning to pierce or to perforate) and "phaino" (meaning to show or to appear). The name reflects the compound's structure and its role in biological processes, particularly in the synthesis of serotonin, which affects mood and sleep.

Memory Tip

Think of 'piercing' ('tryptein') and 'showing' ('phaino') to remember that tryptophan is an amino acid that plays a role in producing serotonin, which can influence how we feel and sleep.

Visually Confused Words