Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Proteins in animal food generally lack one or two essential amino acids.
Statement (II): Pulses have limiting amount of methionine and are rich in lysine amino acid.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
• C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
• D. Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.

Hint:

Cereals and Pulses have complementary amino acid profiles:
- Cereals: Deficient in Lysine, Rich in Methionine.
- Pulses: Deficient in Methionine, Rich in Lysine.
Consuming them together (like rice and dal) forms a complete protein.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Proteins are classified as complete or incomplete based on their essential amino acid profile relative to human physiological needs.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the two statements:
1. Statement (I) is Incorrect: Animal food proteins (such as egg, milk, meat, and fish) are considered high-biological-value or complete proteins. They contain all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities and correct proportions required by the human body. They do not generally lack any essential amino acids.
2. Statement (II) is Correct: Plant-based proteins, particularly pulses (legumes), are incomplete proteins because they have a low level of one or more essential amino acids, known as the limiting amino acids. For pulses, the limiting amino acid is methionine (a sulfur-containing amino acid). However, pulses are notably rich in lysine, an essential amino acid that is conversely deficient in cereal grains.
Thus, Statement (I) is incorrect and Statement (II) is correct.

Step 3: Final Answer
The correct option is (D).