glutamic acid

an amino acid that is regarded as nonessential in diets but is important for normal brain function. It is converted into gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase and requiring pyridoxal phosphate, formed from vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine), as a coenzyme.

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Psychology term of the day

December 7th 2024

method of absolute judgment

a psychophysical procedure in which stimuli are presented in random order to a participant, whose task is to place each stimulus in a particular category. The stimuli usually vary along one or two dimensions, such as brightness or loudness. Also called absolute-judgment method.