Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
phenylalanine
noun
/ˌfɛnɪlˈælənin/
Definition
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that is a building block of proteins.
Examples
- Phenylalanine is found in high-protein foods like meat and dairy.
- Some people with phenylketonuria (PKU) must limit their intake of phenylalanine.
Meaning
It is a type of amino acid that the body cannot produce on its own, meaning it must be obtained through diet.
Synonyms
- Amino acid
