Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential components of all living cells. There are 20 different amino acids that are found in proteins, and they are classified into two categories: essential and non-essential amino acids.
Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be
synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet. There are nine
essential amino acids in humans: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine,
methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids
are important for a variety of functions in the body, including the synthesis
of proteins, enzymes, hormones, and other biomolecules. They also play a role
in immune function, growth and development, and the regulation of metabolism.
Non-essential amino acids are amino acids that can
be synthesized by the body from other amino acids or from other metabolic
pathways. There are 11 non-essential amino acids in humans: alanine,
asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine,
proline, serine, tyrosine, and arginine (arginine is considered non-essential
in adults, but it is essential for infants and children). These amino acids are
not required in the diet, because the body can produce them on its own.
However, they still play important roles in various physiological processes,
and they can be obtained from food sources as well.
In summary, essential amino acids are those that
must be obtained from the diet, while non-essential amino acids can be
synthesized by the body. Both types of amino acids are important for
maintaining health and performing various functions in the body.
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