Assignment

Student name: Ruey Tut

Question: Essential Amino Acid and non Essential Amino Acid

Essential Amino Acids:

Amino acids which cannot be synthesized or produced by the body and are required
from food supplements are called essential amino acids. There are 9 essential amino
acids that include leucine, isoleucine, histidine, lysine, methionine, threonine,
phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine.

Non-Essential Amino Acids:

Amino acids which are produced or synthesised by our bodies and are not taken up as
food supplements are called nonessential amino acids. There are 20 total amino acids
common in all life forms and the nonessential amino acids out of these include
arginine, alanine, aspartic acid, asparagine, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid,
proline, glycine, serine and tyrosine. Without these amino acids, our body will find it
hard to make up proteins it needs which are required for the repair, growth and
maintenance of cells.

Conditional Amino Acids:

Some of the amino acids which are usually not essential but in times of illness and
stress, may become essential are called conditional amino acids. These may be
required in conditions such as prematurity in infants. The six conditional amino acids
include cysteine, arginine, tyrosine, glutamine, ornithine, glycine, serine, and proline.

Difference Between Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids

Mentioned below is the table that summarizes the main parameters based on which
amino acids are classified.

Parameters Essential Amino Acids Non-essential Amino Acids

These cannot be made by the body
These can be made by our body
Definition therefore, these are required through
or are always available.
our diet or food supplements.

9 essential amino acids are known
Number
out of 20 amino acids.
Various sources of food that provide
essential amino acids include
Food sources
quinoa, egg, meat, chicken and
vegetable protein.
These function in building and
repairing muscle tissues and they
Functions form precursor molecules for
neurotransmitter formation in the
brain.
The deficiency of these amino acids
Deficiency is highly probable as these are
known provided with the help of food and a
proper diet.
Leucine, isoleucine, histidine,
lysine, methionine, threonine,
Names
phenylalanine, tryptophan and
valine
11 out of the 20 amino acids are
known to be non-essential amino
acids.
These can be produced within
our body from other amino acids
and their components as well.
These are very helpful for the
removal of toxins, promoting
brain functioning and
synthesising RBC and WBC in
our bodies.
Deficiency of these amino acids
is rare as can be produced by the
body, however, in case of
starvation and illness, deficiency
may be seen.
Arginine, alanine, aspartic acid,
asparagine, cysteine, glutamine,
glutamic acid, proline, glycine,
serine and tyrosine.