Certified Cheese Professional Practice Exam

How many essential amino acids must be obtained from the diet?

1. 5

2. 7

3. 9

4. 11

The correct answer is: 9

The human body requires nine essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized internally and therefore must be obtained through the diet. These amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Consuming a variety of protein sources, such as meat, dairy, eggs, and plant-based proteins, ensures that individuals receive these essential nutrients to support various bodily functions, including tissue repair, immune function, and hormone production. The other options do not reflect the complete requirement of essential amino acids. While five or seven might capture some of these necessary amino acids, they are insufficient to meet the body's needs. Eleven is incorrect in this context as it overestimates the number of essential amino acids required from dietary sources.