arginine

Definition

An amino acid found in animal foods that plays an important role in several physiological processes.

Etymology

From German Arginin, from Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árguros, “silver”) and ἀργινόεις (arginóeis, “silvery, brightly shining”) in reference to arginine nitrate crystals' silver-white appearance when first refined from lupin seedlings by Ernst Schulze and Ernst Steiger in 1886.

Example Sentences

• "Since arginine is a normal component and plays an important role in the glucose transport mechanism, arginates can easily serve as acceptors for glucose."