English Explanatory Dictionary

tryptophan

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An essential amino acid with an indole side chain; present in many foods, especially chocolate, oats, banana and milk; it is essential for normal growth and development and is the precursor of serotonin and niacin; any specific form of this compound, or any derivative of it.

Pronunciation

/ˈtɹɪptə(ʊ)fæn/

Word forms

tryptophan tryptophans

Etymology

Etymology tree German Tryptophanbor. English tryptophan From German Tryptophan, from Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō, “to appear”).

Related words

mul:W mul:Trp tryp

Derived words

hydroxytryptophan methyltryptophan tryptophanamide tryptophanase tryptophanate tryptophan synthase tryptophan synthetase tryptophanyl tryptophanylation
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