Final answer:
The statement that essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through diet is true. There are nine essential amino acids that must be consumed as the body cannot synthesize them.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: Essential amino acids are those that we cannot produce ourselves and we need to get from our diet. This statement is true. Essential amino acids are indeed those that our bodies cannot synthesize and thus must be acquired through our diet. While our cells can produce most of the twenty amino acids necessary for protein synthesis, there are nine that we cannot make. These nine amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. It's important to consume a variety of foods, especially if one is vegetarian, to ensure that all essential amino acids are included in the diet, as plant-based foods often lack one or more of them.