Answer the question on the basis of passage given below:
Proteins are the polymers of about twenty different \(\alpha \)-amino acids which are linked by peptide bonds. Proteins perform various structural and dynamic functions in the organisms. Proteins which contain only \(\alpha \)-amino acids are called simple proteins. The secondary or tertiary structure of proteins gets disturbed on change of pH or temperature and they are not able to perform their functions. This is called denaturation of proteins. Enzymes are biocatalysts which speed up the reactions in biosystems. Vitamins are accessory food factors required in the diet. They are classified as fat soluble (A, D, E and K) and water soluble (B group and C). Deficiency of vitamins leads to many diseases. Nucleic acids are the polymers of nucleotides which in turn consist of a base, a pentose sugar and phosphate moiety. Nucleic acids are responsible for the transfer of characters from parents to offspring. There are two types of nucleic acids – DNA and RNA. DNA contains a five carbon sugar molecule called 2-deoxyribose whereas RNA contains ribose.
Which of the following is an essential amino acid?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Leucine
Amino acids that the body can synthesise are non-essential; those that cannot be synthesised in the body and must be obtained through the diet are essential amino acids. Of the twenty amino acids in proteins, ten are essential:
valine, leucine, isoleucine, arginine, lysine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine
Leucine is in this list, so it is the essential amino acid.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Classification of Amino Acids


Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | 12-06 S2 25-05 S3 | – |