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Chapter 18: Problem 31

What does the expression essential amino acid mean?

Short Answer

Expert verified
An essential amino acid is an amino acid that an organism must obtain through its diet because it cannot synthesize it by itself. In humans, there are nine essential amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids are crucial for proper body functioning, as they are the building blocks of proteins.

Step by step solution

01

Define essential amino acids

Essential amino acids are the amino acids that must be obtained through an organism's diet since the organism cannot synthesize them by itself. They are crucial for the proper functioning of the body, as amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
02

List examples of essential amino acids

In humans, there are nine essential amino acids. They are: 1. Histidine 2. Isoleucine 3. Leucine 4. Lysine 5. Methionine 6. Phenylalanine 7. Threonine 8. Tryptophan 9. Valine These essential amino acids must be present in an individual's diet, as the body is unable to produce them on its own.

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