leucine
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A white, crystalline amino acid that is one of the essential amino acids required by the human body for proper nutrition. It is obtained through the breakdown (hydrolysis) of most dietary proteins.
Usage
Leucine is used primarily in scientific, nutritional, and biochemical contexts to refer to this specific amino acid. * As a subject: Leucine is important for muscle protein synthesis. * As an object: This supplement contains a high dose of leucine. * With a possessive or modifier: The leucine content of whey protein is high.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- In Biochemistry: Leucine is often discussed in relation to the "branched-chain amino acids" (BCAAs), a group that also includes isoleucine and valine.
- Leucine is the most potent of the three BCAAs for stimulating muscle growth.
- In Nutrition/Dietetics: It is described as an "essential" amino acid, meaning the body cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained from food.
- Good dietary sources of leucine include meat, dairy products, and legumes.
Variants and Related Words
- L-leucine (n): The specific, naturally occurring form (isomer) of leucine found in proteins and used by the body.
- Isoleucine (n): A different, but structurally similar, essential amino acid often mentioned alongside leucine.
Synonyms
- Amino acid: This is the general category. Leucine is a specific type of amino acid.
- BCAA (Branched-chain amino acid): This is the subgroup to which leucine belongs.
Notes on Different Meanings
The word "leucine" has a single, specific scientific meaning. It does not have different general meanings, idioms, or phrasal verbs associated with it.
Noun
- a white crystalline amino acid occurring in proteins that is essential for nutrition; obtained by the hydrolysis of most dietary proteins