glycine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “glycine” mean?
The simplest amino acid, a colorless crystalline compound that is a building block of proteins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The simplest amino acid, a colorless crystalline compound that is a building block of proteins.
A non-essential amino acid, often used as a dietary supplement, and a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency outside scientific contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “glycine” in a Sentence
Glycine is [adj] (e.g., essential, inhibitory).Glycine [verb] [obj] (e.g., modulates, acts as).[Subj] contains/is rich in glycine.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glycine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The glycine pathway was studied.
- They observed a glycine-rich region.
American English
- The glycine pathway was analyzed.
- They observed a glycine-rich domain.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of supplement manufacturing or agricultural commodities (e.g., 'Glycine Max futures').
Academic
Common in biochemistry, physiology, neuroscience, and nutrition journals and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare. Possibly encountered on supplement labels or in advanced health discussions.
Technical
The primary register. Used precisely to denote the specific molecule NH₂CH₂COOH.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glycine”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glycine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glycine”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈɡlɪsiːn/ (with a short 'i').
- Using it as a countable noun ('a glycine') in technical writing where it's usually non-count.
- Confusing it with 'glucose' or 'glycerol' due to the 'glyc-' prefix.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, glycine is classified as a non-essential amino acid because the human body can synthesize it.
Glycine is abundant in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy, legumes (especially soybeans, called Glycine max), and bone broth.
Glycine is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, particularly in the spinal cord, brainstem, and retina, where it helps regulate motor and sensory signals.
Lowercase 'glycine' refers to the amino acid. Capitalized 'Glycine' is the botanical genus name for a group of climbing plants, including soybeans.
The simplest amino acid, a colorless crystalline compound that is a building block of proteins.
Glycine is usually technical/scientific in register.
Glycine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlaɪsiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlaɪsiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GLY' from 'glycerine' (sweet) + 'CINE' from 'cinema'. Imagine a sweet, simple molecule starring in a film about building proteins.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING BLOCK (for proteins), MESSENGER (as a neurotransmitter), SWITCH (inhibitory function).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'glycine' MOST commonly used?