NANP Board Practice Exam

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Prepare for the NANP Board Exam. Study with detailed questions and explanations on key topics. Enhance your understanding and boost your confidence for the exam.

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Which essential amino acid is also considered essential for infants?

Histidine
Serine
Glycine
Alanine

The correct answer is: Histidine

Histidine is recognized as an essential amino acid for both adults and infants. For adults, it is important for the growth and maintenance of tissues and plays a significant role in various metabolic processes. However, during infancy, histidine becomes particularly crucial because infants require a source of this amino acid to support their rapid growth and development, especially for protein synthesis and the formation of neurotransmitters. In contrast, serine, glycine, and alanine are classified as non-essential amino acids for adults, meaning that the body can synthesize them. While these amino acids do play important roles in cellular function and overall health, they are not considered essential in the same way histidine is for infants, as infants need to obtain histidine from their diet for proper growth and development.