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gamma-aminobutyric acid

Pronunciation: /ˌgaməəˌmiːnəʊbjuːˈtɪrɪk, -əˌmʌɪnəʊ-, -ˈamɪnəʊ-/

Definition of gamma-aminobutyric acid

noun

[mass noun] Biochemistry
  • an amino acid which acts to inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system.
    • Chemical formula: H2NCH2CH2CH2COOH

Origin:

early 20th century: gamma indicating the relative position of amino on the third carbon away from the acid group

gamma-aminobutyric acid in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the US English dictionary

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