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Glite Dictionary
domoic acid

domoic acid

1 9.5
A poison made by some sea algae that can harm the brain and cause memory loss
  • noun
  • /dəˈmoʊɪk ˈæsɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ácido domoico
  • What is domoic acid?
  • the toxin domoic acid
  • produces domoic acid

Examples

  • Scientists are monitoring coastal waters for increased levels of domoic acid produced by algal blooms.

  • Shellfish contaminated with domoic acid can cause serious illness if consumed by humans.

  • Symptoms of poisoning from domoic acid include memory loss and seizures.

  • Be careful of domoic acid!

  • The researchers found that domoic acid can cause severe memory loss in humans.

  • Shellfish contaminated with domoic acid can pose great health risks if consumed.

  • Monitoring domoic acid levels is crucial to ensure the safety of seafood in affected areas.

Surface Forms

domoic acid singular
domoic acids plural

Morphology

domoic + acid

The element 'domoic' is not a productive, transparent English morpheme and carries no obvious everyday meaning, while 'acid' clearly indicates a chemical substance. A B1 learner who knows both words would infer that this is a type of acid (i.e., a chemical likely hazardous) but would not be able to derive the specific, specialized meaning 'a neurotoxin produced by certain marine algae,' so the relation is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The name domoic acid may come from the seaweed where scientists first found the chemical during an algal bloom that made shellfish dangerous to eat and caused people to suffer 'memory loss'. So the phrase now refers to a marine 'poison' made by tiny algae that can harm the brain.