The remaining 14 amino acids are called non-essential in the sense that these 14 amino acids can be formed in the body from the 8 essential amino acids with the help of various enzymes in the body.

When essential and non-essential amino acids bond together in various combinations, proteins are formed.

The process of modification of essential amino acids to synthesize non- essential amino acids is usually a multi-step process which is catalyzed by specific enzymes. However, failure to modify or convert the essential amino acids to non essential amino acids or failure to breakdown the amino acids leads to serious health disorders and is the cause of several problems. The failure to modify amino acids is mainly due to the deficiency of the converting enzyme among many other factors. In the absence or deficiency of the converting enzyme, the essential amino acid accumulates in the body and causes several diseases.

For example the failure to modify the essential amino acid called phenylalanine to the non-essential amino acid called tyrosine is due to deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). This causes a disorder known as Phenylketonuria (PKU). This condition can cause problems with brain development, leading to progressive mental retardation and seizures.

Another example involves the inability to breakdown amino acids leading to accumulation of the toxic byproduct of the amino acid in the body. One such disorder is tyrosinemia in which the body cannot effectively break down the amino acid tyrosine. There are three types of tyrosinemia, each caused by the deficiency of a different enzyme. This condition causes liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation.

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