Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Valine is an essential amino acid for fish
Statement II: Arginine is a non-essential 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:

Mnemonic to remember the 10 essential amino acids for fish:
MATT HILL VP
(Methionine, Arginine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Valine, Phenylalanine).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Amino acids are categorized as essential (EAA) or non-essential (NEAA) based on whether an organism can synthesize them internally at rates sufficient to meet physiological demands.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement I: Valine is one of the 10 essential amino acids that fish cannot synthesize *de novo* and must obtain through their diet.
Hence, Statement I is correct.
- Statement II: While arginine can be synthesized by some terrestrial mammals, it is strictly an essential amino acid for all studied fish species.
Fishes lack a fully functional urea cycle (or have very low levels of urea cycle enzymes) and cannot synthesize arginine internally.
Hence, Statement II is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect, which corresponds to option (C).