a sweet nonessential amino acid, CH(NH)COOH: it is the simplest amino acid and does not have mirror image isomeric forms
Origin:
< Gr glykys, sweet (see glycerin) + -ine
See glycine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A sweet-tasting crystalline nonessential amino acid, C2H5NO2, that is the principal amino acid occurring in sugar cane. The simplest amino acid found in protein, it is derived from the alkaline hydrolysis of gelatin and used in biochemical research and medicine.