essential amino acid

noun, Biochemistry
1.
any amino acid that is required by an animal for growth but that cannot be synthesized by the animal's cells and must be supplied in the diet.
Origin
1935-40
Examples from the web for essential amino acid
  • Two trials were also conducted to develop a test diet to determine essential amino acid requirements.
essential amino acid in Medicine

essential amino acid n.
An alpha-amino acid that is required for protein synthesis but cannot be synthesized by humans and must be obtained in the diet.