Question

Lysine is an essential amino acid because

• A. it is an important constituent of all proteins
• B. it is very rare in food items
• C. it is not formed in the body and has to be provided through diet
• D. it has a high nutritive value

Answer 1

The correct option is C it is not formed in the body and has to be provided through diet

The body needs 20 different amino acids to grow and function properly. Though all 20 of these are important for your health, only nine amino acids are classified as essential. These are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Unlike nonessential amino acids, essential amino acids cannot be made by your body and must be obtained through your diet.