amino
UK: əˈmiːnəʊ | US: əˈmiːnoʊ
adj. relating to or containing an amine (a compound derived from ammonia)
n. short for "amino acid," the building blocks of proteins
amino = am<ammonia> + ino<chemical suffix>
- am<ammonia>: Derived from "ammonia," a nitrogen-hydrogen compound, originating from the Latin sal ammoniacus (salt of Ammon, linked to the Egyptian god Amun).
- ino<chemical suffix>: A suffix used in chemistry, often denoting derivatives or related compounds (e.g., "nitro," "keto").
Etymology Origin:
The term "amino" emerged in the 19th century as chemists began classifying nitrogen-based compounds. It combines "ammonia" (from ancient Egyptian and Latin roots) with the suffix "-ino," reflecting its role in naming organic compounds like amines and amino acids. The word’s structure mirrors its scientific function: linking ammonia-derived groups to broader biochemical contexts.
Amino acids are essential for protein synthesis in the body.
The lab tested the solution for amino groups.
Vegetarians must ensure adequate amino acid intake from plant sources.
The amino compound reacted with the acid to form a new molecule.
Researchers studied the amino sequence of the peptide.