serine

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serine

Q: What is serine?

Serine is an amino acid obtainable by hydrolysis of most common proteins , sometimes constituting 5 to 10 percent by weight of the total product.

Q: When was serine first isolated?

Serine was first isolated in 1865 from sericin, a silk protein.

Q: What is the role of serine in biological membranes?

Serine and some of its derivatives, such as ethanolamine , are important components of phospholipids found in biological membranes.

biochemistry

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: May 5, 2025 • Article History

Related Topics:: amino acid

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What is serine?

When was serine first isolated?

What is the role of serine in biological membranes?

serine, an amino acid obtainable by hydrolysis of most common proteins, sometimes constituting 5 to 10 percent by weight of the total product. First isolated in 1865 from sericin, a silk protein, serine is one of several so-called nonessential amino acids for mammals; i.e., they can synthesize it from glucose and do not require dietary sources. The chemical structure of serine is serine, chemical compound

Serine and some of its derivatives (e.g., ethanolamine) are also important components of a class of lipids (phospholipids) found in biological membranes.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.