Valines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Amino acids essential for protein synthesis found in many organisms ; organic compounds classified as building blocks of proteins that play a crucial role in metabolism ; components of peptides and proteins that influence biological functions and structure
2. Vital organic molecules that constitute proteins by linking in chains ; fundamental building units in cellular processes and enzyme formation ; bioactive substances necessary for growth and repair in living tissues
3. Naturally occurring alpha-amino acids involved in forming polypeptides ; key participants in metabolic pathways and cellular signaling ; substances contributing to nutritional and physiological health in organisms

Etymology: Valines is simply the plural of valine, the amino acid, so the story belongs to "valine" itself. The name comes from valerian, the flowering plant whose roots have been used as a sedative since antiquity. Valine was first isolated from a related plant source, and the chemist who named it took the plant's name and added the chemical suffix "-ine", the ending long used for compounds derived from natural sources, such as alkaloids and amines. The naming logic is a little roundabout. Valerian's name itself derives from Latin "valere", "to be strong" or "to be healthy", a nod to the plant's supposed medicinal power. So a compound with no particular connection to the plant's sedative effect carries, in its name, a trace of an old belief about healing.

Synonyms: amino acids, nutrients, building blocks, essential amino acids