Of the amino acids that make up proteins, glycine is the simplest.
The English word glycine came to Spanish as glycine . The concept has two main uses: it can refer to an amino acid or a plant .
If we focus on its use in the field of biochemistry , we can affirm that glycine is a protein substance found in collagen and sugar , for example.
Glycine as an amino acid
We said above that glycine is an amino acid . Therefore, it is an organic molecule composed of an amino group and a carboxyl group.
Glycine is the simplest amino acid among all those that make up proteins . At this point it is important to remember that proteins are the substances that make up living matter, being composed of one or more chains of amino acids.
Also called glycine , glycine is synthesized by the human body. Furthermore, it can be obtained industrially from a reaction between ammonia and chloroacetic acid.
Glycine performs several functions in the body. It is responsible for synthesizing collagen and functions as a neurotransmitter , to mention two of its most important actions.
Its presence in food
Many foods contain glycine, such as dairy , beef , and fish . Also, although in smaller quantities, it appears in cucumber , spinach and other vegetables.
Those who eat a balanced diet usually access the appropriate level of glycine. In any case, there are additives or supplements that promote the incorporation of glycine.
According to scientific studies, these glycine supplements could contribute to the prevention of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis . It should be noted that a doctor must be in charge of indicating, for each patient in particular, what is the best method to prevent and/or treat any condition.
Wisteria are characterized by the aroma of their flowers.
A plant called wisteria
The notion of glycine can be used to refer to a plant from the papilionaceae group . Native to Chinese territory and also called wisteria , it is characterized by the perfume of its flowers.
Specifically, wisterias constitute a genus that includes several species. They are climbing shrubs capable of coiling about ten meters laterally and climbing about twenty meters above the surface.
Wisterias generally have bluish flowers in clusters. However, there are also species that produce pinkish or whitish flowers.
Some species
Japanese wisteria ( Wisteria floribunda ) is popular for its flower clusters up to half a meter in length. These fragrant flowers are blue, purple or white and open in mid- spring .
The Chinese wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis ), meanwhile, is also a climber. Compared to Japanese wisteria, it generates less extensive clusters. It is interesting to note that both types of wisteria can be grown as bonsai .
Glycine as a trade name
It should be noted that the idea of wisteria appears in the names of different commercial establishments. In the case of Argentina , we find this word in tourist ventures.
“Las glycinas” is a complex of cabins and bungalows located in the city of Federación (province of Entre Ríos ). The same name is shared by an inn located in the town of Pinamar , on the Atlantic Coast of Buenos Aires.