Which pair of statements best describes an essential amino acid? a. It is an amino acid that contains peptide bonds. An example is proline. b. It is an amino acid that contains nitrogen. An example is aspartic acid. c. It is an amino acid that cannot be made by the body. It must be obtained from eating certain foods. d. It is an amino acid that can be produced by the body. Vitamin supplements maintain healthy levels.



Answer :

Gibbs
Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be made by the body, and therefore must be obtained through eating cetain foods. (C)

The correct option is:

Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be made by the body, and therefore must be obtained through eating cetain foods.

Explanation:

A vital amino acid, or essential amino acid, is an amino acid that cannot be manufactured de novo by the organism, and thus must be provided in its diet. The nine amino acids humans cannot manufacture are phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, and histidine.