Skip to content
Question of 74

Q.List out the essential amino acids.

Tamil Nadu DgeTamil Nadu HSC (DGE) Board 2018Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
0% · 0/74 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must come from food; there are ten commonly listed — Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Of the roughly twenty amino acids used to build human proteins, the body can synthesise some of them from other molecules — these are the non-essential amino acids. A second group cannot be synthesised at all (or not fast enough to meet the body's needs) and therefore must be supplied ready-made in the diet. These are the essential amino acids.

Why the distinction matters: a protein that supplies all the essential amino acids in the right proportion is a 'complete' or 'first-class' protein (e.g. egg, milk, meat). Plant proteins often lack one or more, so vegetarian diets combine foods (cereals + pulses) to cover the full set. A shortage of even one essential amino acid limits protein synthesis in the body.

The essential amino acids (a helpful memory phrase is 'PVT TIM HALL'):

  • Phenylalanine
  • Valine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Isoleucine …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.