Question

What are essential amino acids? and is glycine an essential amino acid?

Answer 1

Hint: Amino acid is a group of organic molecules that consist of a basic amino group (―NH2), an acidic carboxyl group (―COOH), and an organic R group that is unique to each amino acid. Each molecule contains a central carbon (C) atom which is known as α-carbon, to which both amino and carboxyl groups are attached. The remaining two bonds of the α-carbon atom are mainly bonded by a hydrogen (H) atom and the R group. The general formula of an amino acid is:

Complete step by step solution:
> The essential amino acids are the amino acids which cannot be synthesized by the body and they are required for a normal health and a proper functioning of the body.
> Therefore, they must be obtained by consuming various protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs and fish are the best source of essential amino acids which can be taken through a proper diet.
> There are a total 20 amino acids, out of 20 amino acids that are needed by our body to grow and function properly, nine are essential amino acids while the rest are non-essential amino acids.
> Methionine, valine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, histidine, lysine, threonine and phenylalanine are examples of essential amino acids.

Note: Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life and are very important for our body for proper growth.
Amino acids are classified into three groups:
i) Essential amino acids
ii) Nonessential amino acids
iii) Conditional amino acids