Tryptophan Definition

trĭptə-făn
noun
A white, aromatic, crystalline, essential amino acid, C6H4NHCHCCH2CH(NH2)COOH, produced synthetically and in digestion by the action of trypsin on proteins.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
  • tryptophane

Other Word Forms of Tryptophan

Noun

Singular:
tryptophan
Plural:
tryptophans

Origin of Tryptophan

  • From German Tryptophan, corresponding to tryptic + Ancient Greek ϕαίνειν (phainein, “to appear”).

    From Wiktionary

  • trypt(ic) of trypsin (formed on the model of pepsin, peptic) trypsin –phan(e)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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tryptophan