aspartic acid

 
Pronunciation: /əˈspɑːtɪk/

noun

[mass noun] Biochemistry
  • an acidic amino acid which is a constituent of most proteins, and also occurs in sugar cane. It is important in the metabolism of nitrogen in animals, and also acts as a neurotransmitter.
    • Chemical formula: COOHCH2CH(NH2)COOH

Origin:

mid 19th century: aspartic from French aspartique, formed arbitrarily from Latin asparagus (see asparagus)