Final answer:
The correct answer is A) 20; 9. There are a total of 20 amino acids, 9 of which are essential and 11 are non-essential, the latter of which can be synthesized by the human body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proteins are composed of 20 amino acids, of which 9 are essential amino acids and 11 are non-essential amino acids. The correct answer to the question is A) 20; 9. Essential amino acids must be obtained through our diet because the human body cannot synthesize them. The 9 essential amino acids for humans are phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, and histidine. These are vital for the body as they are used in the synthesis of proteins, body repair, and growth, especially in children.