Question

How many of the 20 amino acids are essential amino acids for an adult human?

• A. 6
• B. 10
• C. 11
• D. 14

Answer 1

The correct option is B 10

Adult humans are unable to synthesize all twenty amino acids needed for protein synthesis; those which cannot be synthesized and which must then be acquired via the diet are referred to as essential. The ten which the body can synthesize on its own are nonessential.

The ten essential amino acids for adults are

• Phenylalanine
  
• Valine
  
• Tryptophan
  
• Threonine
  
• Isoleucine
  
• Methionine
  
• Histidine
  
• Arginine
  
• Leucine
  
• Lysine