Question

How might an amino acid become "essential" to the diet of an organism? Is this something that is true for all organisms? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

Essential : Amino acids are required for the synthesis of body proteins and other important nitrogen containing compounds such as creatine, peptide hormones and neurotransmitters.A continues supply of dietary amino acids is required to replace these losses, even after growth has ceased. When we eat protein, it's broken down into amino cods & used to help the body with various processes such as building muscle & regulating immune function. Essential amino acids are the amino acids that the body cannot synthesize by itself or cannot make in adequate quantities. Instead it must get these amino acids through food obtained in the diet.The nonessential amino acids are those that the body can synthesize by itself and make it in large enough quantities.

True: It is true that amino acids are required for all organisms for the following reasons:

(i) Amino acids plays a central role in cellular metabolism and all organisms need to synthesize most of them.

(ii) Aside from the role in composing proteins (as stated above), amino acids have many biologically important functions.

(iii) They are also energy metabolites and many of them are essential nutrients.