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deaminate

C1
UK/diːˈæmɪneɪt/US/diˈæməneɪt/

Technical/Scientific

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Definition

Meaning

To remove an amino group from a molecule.

A biochemical process, usually enzymatic, where an amino group (-NH2) is cleaved from an amino acid or other compound, often producing ammonia and a keto acid.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used in biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology. It denotes a specific chemical transformation. The noun form is 'deamination'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in general discourse but standard within relevant scientific fields in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
enzymes deaminatedeaminate cytosinedeaminate amino acids
medium
ability to deaminateprocess to deaminate
weak
rapidly deaminatespontaneously deaminate

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Subject: enzyme/agent] deaminates [Object: compound][Subject: process] deaminates [Object: base]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

deamidate (context-specific)

Neutral

remove an amino group

Weak

break downmodify

Vocabulary

Antonyms

aminatetransaminate

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “No common idioms.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Core term in biochemistry and related life sciences papers.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Essential term describing a fundamental metabolic and genetic repair process.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The liver enzyme will deaminate the excess amino acids.
  • Researchers observed the protein's ability to deaminate the substrate.

American English

  • The enzyme ADA deaminates adenosine.
  • Nitrous acid can deaminate cytosine, causing mutations.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B2
  • Some enzymes in our body deaminate amino acids.
  • The chemical treatment was found to deaminate DNA bases.
C1
  • The cytidine deaminase enzyme family has evolved to deaminate cytosine to uracil in nucleic acids.
  • Oxidative deamination is a process where monoamine oxidase enzymes deaminate neurotransmitters like serotonin.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

DE-AMINE-ate: Think 'DE-tach the AMINE group' (-NH2).

Conceptual Metaphor

A PRECISE TOOL (like chemical scissors) cutting off a specific part of a molecule.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid confusing with дезаминировать (which is incorrect). The correct Russian equivalent is дезаминировать, a direct cognate.
  • Do not translate as a general 'break down' (разлагать); it is a specific chemical change.

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling as 'deamininate'.
  • Incorrect stress placement: /ˈdiːəmɪneɪt/.
  • Using it as a noun ('a deaminate') instead of the verb.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The metabolic pathway involves several steps, one of which is to the glutamine to produce glutamate.
Multiple Choice

What does it mean to 'deaminate' a molecule?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while most common with amino acids, it also applies to nucleotides (like cytosine deamination in DNA/RNA) and other amines.

Typically, a keto acid (or keto analogue) and free ammonia (NH3).

It is a normal, essential metabolic process (e.g., in the liver). However, unwanted deamination of DNA bases is a major source of mutations.

Virtually never. Its use is strictly confined to biochemistry, molecular biology, and related technical fields.