glutamate
Definition
Noun: 1. A salt or ester of glutamic acid: Glutamate refers to any chemical compound formed when glutamic acid reacts with a base (forming a salt) or an alcohol (forming an ester). It is a crucial molecule in biochemistry. 2. The anionic form of glutamic acid: In biological contexts, "glutamate" commonly refers to the negatively charged ion (anion) of glutamic acid, which is a key neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system.
Usage and Examples
- Sodium glutamate is widely used as a flavor enhancer in cooking.
- The neuron released glutamate to transmit the signal to the next cell.
- Excessive glutamate activity in the brain has been linked to certain neurological conditions.
Advanced Usage
- Excitotoxicity: A pathological process where nerve cells are damaged or killed by excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters such as glutamate.
- Glutamate receptor: A specific type of receptor on the surface of nerve cells that binds glutamate, mediating its excitatory signal.
Variants and Related Words
- Glutamic acid (noun): The amino acid from which glutamate is derived.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) (noun): The sodium salt of glutamic acid, commonly used as a food additive.
- Glutamatergic (adjective): Referring to neurons or pathways that use glutamate as their neurotransmitter.
Synonyms
- Glutamate ion
- Glutamic acid salt/ester
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Glutamate decarboxylase: An enzyme that converts glutamate into the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
- Glutamate transporter: A protein responsible for removing glutamate from the synaptic cleft between neurons.
Noun
-
a salt or ester of glutamic acid
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