A complete protein is defined as which?

A complete protein is defined as which?

• A. Low quality, lacking essential amino acids
• B. High quality, with all essential amino acids
• C. Derived exclusively from plants
• D. Low energy source

Answer: (B)

A complete protein has all nine essential amino acids in amounts sufficient for the body's needs, making it high quality for supporting protein synthesis and tissue maintenance. This means it can support growth and repair without the body having to borrow amino acids from its own tissues. Animal-derived foods are typically complete proteins, and some plant sources such as soy and quinoa are also complete. Most other plant proteins are incomplete, providing some essential amino acids but lacking others, though combining different plant sources can meet needs over the day. The idea that a complete protein is low quality or lacks essential amino acids isn’t correct, and claiming it comes exclusively from plants isn’t accurate, since animal foods are usually complete as well.

A complete protein has all nine essential amino acids in amounts sufficient for the body's needs, making it high quality for supporting protein synthesis and tissue maintenance. This means it can support growth and repair without the body having to borrow amino acids from its own tissues. Animal-derived foods are typically complete proteins, and some plant sources such as soy and quinoa are also complete. Most other plant proteins are incomplete, providing some essential amino acids but lacking others, though combining different plant sources can meet needs over the day. The idea that a complete protein is low quality or lacks essential amino acids isn’t correct, and claiming it comes exclusively from plants isn’t accurate, since animal foods are usually complete as well.