Glutamate
Glutamate
Glutamate (pronounced: glu·ta·mate /ˈɡlo͞otəˌmāt/) is a crucial amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins and also functions as a neurotransmitter in the nervous system.
Etymology
The term "glutamate" is derived from its chemical name, glutamic acid. The word "glutamic" comes from the Latin glutamen, meaning "the innermost part", and the suffix "-ic" denotes its status as an acid.
Function
Glutamate plays a key role in cellular metabolism and brain function. It is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system, facilitating the transmission of signals between neurons.
Related Terms
- Glutamic Acid: The acidic form of glutamate, which is used to build proteins and as a neurotransmitter.
- Neurotransmitter: A chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
- Synapse: The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
- Nervous System: The network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve signals between parts of the body.
- Cellular Metabolism: The set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Glutamate
- Wikipedia's article - Glutamate
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