Cysteine (Noun)
Meaning
An amino acid containing sulfur that is found in most proteins; oxidizes on exposure to air to form cystine.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Cysteine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins in the human body.
- The high concentration of cysteine in keratin makes it an important component of hair and nail growth.
- Cysteine is also found in various enzymes, where it acts as a catalyst to facilitate chemical reactions.
- The oxidation of cysteine to cystine is a reversible process that can be influenced by factors such as pH and temperature.
- Researchers have found that cysteine has antioxidant properties, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.