Which statement about essential amino acids is correct?

Which statement about essential amino acids is correct?

• A. All amino acids can be manufactured by the body
• B. Amino acids are not needed for energy
• C. There are eight essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body
• D. Most amino acids are non-essential

Answer: (C)

Essential amino acids are those the body cannot synthesize in sufficient amounts and must be obtained from the diet. The statement that there are eight amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body matches this definition, making it the correct choice. The other options conflict with this idea: the body cannot provide all amino acids on its own because some must come from food; amino acids can be used for energy under certain conditions, so claiming they are not needed for energy isn’t accurate; and while many amino acids are non-essential, the key point here is which ones must come from food because the body can’t make them.

Essential amino acids are those the body cannot synthesize in sufficient amounts and must be obtained from the diet. The statement that there are eight amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body matches this definition, making it the correct choice. The other options conflict with this idea: the body cannot provide all amino acids on its own because some must come from food; amino acids can be used for energy under certain conditions, so claiming they are not needed for energy isn’t accurate; and while many amino acids are non-essential, the key point here is which ones must come from food because the body can’t make them.