Physiology · Nervous System · Medium

Glycine

Meaning: An amino acid that acts as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brainstem and spinal cord.

In practice: Strychnine poisoning causes violent muscle spasms by blocking glycine receptors in the cord.

Quick check

Two questions on related physiology words.

Which word means: A type of cytokine that carries signals between white blood cells.

Which word means: Any stimulus or signal entering a physiological system to trigger a response.

Words like glycine come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More physiology terms · All medical words