glutamate
Umami flavor source
Glutamate is a salt or ester of glutamic acid, an amino acid abundant in the human body and many foods.
In neuroscience, glutamate is the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter—it makes neurons more likely to fire.
In food, monosodium glutamate (MSG) adds savory umami flavor: The broth gets its richness from natural glutamates.
Nerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- excitatoryPromoting neural activation
- neuronImpulse-conducting cell
- brainSeat of cognition
signal · neurotransmission · plasticity · cognition · memory · inhibition · GABA · dopamine
Flavor perception ability
- flavorCharacteristic taste quality
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
- MSGUmami compound, abbreviated
- monosodiumOne sodium atom attached
broth · miso · soy sauce · parmesan · mushroom · tomato · anchovy · seaweed
Folded amino chain
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- codonBase triplet encoding amino
translation · biosynthesis · polypeptide · leucine · valine · serine · lysine · arginine
Brain disorder causing seizures
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- Alzheimer'sDegenerative brain disease
Parkinson's · ALS · migraine · neuroprotection · brain injury · neurotoxicity · ischemia · multiple sclerosis
Substance improving taste
- cookingPreparing food with heat
- cuisineCharacteristic cooking style
- ingredientElement in a mixture
- chefProfessional kitchen leader
recipe · culinary · additive · food processing · bouillon · stock cube · accent
Cellular nutrient conversion
- decarboxylationCarboxyl group elimination
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- transaminationAmino group biochemical exchange
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
citric acid · alpha-ketoglutarate · ammonia · nitrogen · oxidation · energy · cellular respiration · dehydrogenase
synapse
Nerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- excitatoryPromoting neural activation
- neuronImpulse-conducting cell
brain · signal · neurotransmission · plasticity · cognition · memory · inhibition · GABA · dopamine · serotonin
taste
Flavor perception ability
monosodium · broth · miso · soy sauce · parmesan · mushroom · tomato · anchovy · seaweed · kombu
protein
Folded amino chain
codon · translation · biosynthesis · polypeptide · leucine · valine · serine · lysine · arginine · cysteine
epilepsy
Brain disorder causing seizures
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
Alzheimer's · Parkinson's · ALS · migraine · neuroprotection · brain injury · neurotoxicity · ischemia · multiple sclerosis · schizophrenia
flavor enhancer
Substance improving taste
- cookingPreparing food with heat
- cuisineCharacteristic cooking style
- ingredientElement in a mixture
chef · recipe · culinary · additive · food processing · bouillon · stock cube · accent
metabolism
Cellular nutrient conversion
- decarboxylationCarboxyl group elimination
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- transaminationAmino group biochemical exchange
mitochondria · citric acid · alpha-ketoglutarate · ammonia · nitrogen · oxidation · energy · cellular respiration · dehydrogenase
- glutamate signaling
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- BiomoleculesDNA, protein, RNA, enzyme, mRNA
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- chemical compoundsacetone, aldehydes, amines, esters, ketones
- Flavor Sciencearoma, bitterness, sweetness, sourness, saltiness
- monosodium glutamateFlavor-boosting food additive