arachidonic acid

arachidonic acid

 [ah-rak″ĭ-don´ik]

an essential fatty acid that cannot be synthesized by animal tissues and must be obtained in the diet.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

ar·a·chi·don·ic ac·id

(ă-rak-i-don'ik as'id),

An unsaturated fatty acid, usually essential in nutrition; the biologic precursor of the prostaglandins, the thromboxanes, and the leukotrienes (collectively known as eicosanoids).

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

arachidonic acid

(ăr′ə-kĭ-dŏn′ĭk)

n.

An unsaturated fatty acid, C₂₀H₃₂O₂, present in animal fats and synthesized by the body from linoleic acid, that is essential in human nutrition and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of some prostaglandins.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

arachidonic acid

Biochemistry
A polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid, which is an essential dietary component for mammals and the precursor for biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid derivatives (e.g., leukotrienes). Arachidonic acid release from phospholipids is the limiting step in forming its active metabolites.

Nutrition
Foods containing arachidonic acid—e.g., egg yolks, fatty red meat and organ meats—are viewed as unhealthy by nutritionists.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

ar·a·chi·don·ic ac·id

(ar'ă-ki-don'ik as'id)

Liquid unsaturated fatty acid that occurs in most animal fats; considered essential in animal nutrition.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

arachidonic acid

An unsaturated fatty acid, formed from LINOLENIC acid, and a precursor of prostaglandins and thomboxanes.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

ar·a·chi·don·ic ac·id

(ar'ă-ki-don'ik as'id)

An unsaturated fatty acid, usually essential in nutrition; the biologic precursor of the prostaglandins, the thromboxanes, and the leukotrienes (collectively known as eicosanoids).

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012