phenylalanine

[ fen-l-al-uh-neen, -nin, feen- ]
/ ˌfɛn lˈæl əˌnin, -nɪn, ˌfin- /

noun Biochemistry.

a crystalline, water-soluble, essential amino acid, C6H5CH2CH(NH2)COOH, necessary to the nutrition of humans and most animals, obtained chiefly from egg white or skim milk. Abbreviation: Phe; Symbol: F
Also called phen·yl·a·mi·no·pro·pi·on·ic ac·id [fen-l-uh-mee-noh-proh-pee-on-ik, -am-uh-noh-, feen-, fen-l-uh-mee-noh-, -am-uh-noh-, feen-] /ˈfɛn l əˈmi noʊ proʊ piˈɒn ɪk, -ˈæm ə noʊ-, ˈfin-, ˌfɛn l əˌmi noʊ-, -ˌæm ə noʊ-, ˌfin-/.

Origin of phenylalanine

First recorded in 1880–85; phenyl + alanine

Words nearby phenylalanine

phenyl valerate, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetic acid, phenylaceturic acid, phenylalaninase, phenylalanine, phenylalanine 4-monooxygenase, phenylamine, phenylbenzene, phenylbutazone, phenylcarbinol

British Dictionary definitions for phenylalanine

phenylalanine
/ (ˌfiːnaɪlˈæləˌniːn, ˌfɛnɪl-) /

noun

an aromatic essential amino acid; a component of proteins

Medical definitions for phenylalanine

phenylalanine
[ fĕn′əl-ăl′ə-nēn′, fē′nəl- ]

n.

An essential amino acid that occurs as a constituent of many proteins and is normally converted to tyrosine in the body.

Scientific definitions for phenylalanine

phenylalanine
[ fĕn′əl-ăl′ə-nēn′ ]

An essential amino acid. Chemical formula: C9H11NO2. See more at amino acid.