Question

Essential amino acids

• A. cannot be synthesised by our body
• B. need not be taken essentially in diet
• C. can be synthesised by animals
• D. are also called dispensable amino acids

Answer 1

The correct option is A cannot be synthesised by our body

Essential amino acids cannot be synthesised in our body. Therefore, they have to be obtained essentially through diet. Since they are crucially vital for proper growth and functioning of our body, they are also called indispensable amino acids. Lack of any of the essential amino acids causes deficiency symptoms in the body.

Non-essential amino acids are those that can be synthesised in our body. They are also called dispensable amino acids.

$\begin{array}{cc}\text{Essential amino acid}& \text{Non-essential amino acids}\\ \text{Threonine}& \text{Alanine}\\ \text{Histidine}& \text{Aspartic acid}\\ \text{Tryptophan}& \text{Glycine}\\ \text{Methionine}& \text{Asparagine}\\ \text{Phenylalanine}& \text{Serine}\\ \text{Lysine}& \text{Proline}\\ \text{Valine}& \text{Glutamic acid}\\ \text{Leucine}& \text{Arginine}\\ \text{Isoleucine}& \text{Glutamine}\\ & \text{Cysteine}\\ & \text{Tyrosine}\end{array}$