Question:

Given below are two statements: 
Statement I: Arginine and Tryptophan are essential amino acids. 
Statement II: Glycine does not have any chiral carbon. 
In the light of the above statements, which is the correct option?

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Important facts about amino acids: \begin{itemize} \item Glycine is the only amino acid without a chiral carbon \item Essential amino acids must be obtained from diet \item Arginine is conditionally essential \end{itemize}
Updated On: Feb 4, 2026
  • Both statement-I and statement-II are correct
  • Both statement-I and statement-II are incorrect
  • Statement-I is correct and statement-II is incorrect
  • Statement-I is incorrect and statement-II is correct
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Given Statements 

Statement I: Arginine and Tryptophan are essential amino acids.

Statement II: Glycine does not have any chiral carbon.

Analysis of Statements

Statement I: Arginine and Tryptophan are essential amino acids.

Fact: Both Arginine and Tryptophan are indeed essential amino acids. However, Arginine is considered semi-essential because the body can synthesize it under normal conditions but may require it during periods of stress or growth. Thus, while Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, Arginine is often classified as semi-essential rather than strictly essential.

Statement II: Glycine does not have any chiral carbon.

Fact: Glycine is the only amino acid that does not have a chiral center. A chiral carbon is a carbon atom bonded to four different substituents. In glycine, both the hydrogen and the amino group are attached to the same carbon, making it achiral.

Conclusion:

Statement-I: Incorrect (since Arginine is semi-essential and not strictly essential).

Statement-II: Correct (since Glycine does not have a chiral carbon).

Answer:

The correct option is: Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct.

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