arachidonic acid
[ ar-uh-ki-don-ik, ar- ]
/ ˈær ə kɪˈdɒn ɪk, ˌær- /
noun Biochemistry.
an essential fatty acid, C20H32O2, found in the lipids of most tissues, that is a precursor in the synthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, and related effectors.
Origin of arachidonic acid
First recorded in 1910–15;
arachid(ic) +
-onic
Words nearby arachidonic acid
aracajú,
aracari,
araceous,
arachidic,
arachidic acid,
arachidonic acid,
arachis oil,
arachne,
arachnid,
arachnida,
arachnidism
British Dictionary definitions for arachidonic acid
arachidonic acid
/ (ˌærəkəˈdɒnɪk) /
noun
a fatty acid occurring in animal cells: the metabolic precursor of several groups of biologically active substances, including prostaglandins
Medical definitions for arachidonic acid
arachidonic acid
[ ăr′ə-kĭ-dŏn′ĭk ]
n.
An unsaturated fatty acid found in animal fats that is essential in human nutrition and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of some prostaglandins.