What is the Amino Acid Quiz for Kids?
It’s a set of 15 questions about amino acids. The goal is to teach children about these important structures. Of course, the questions are engaging and fun. So, your kids will have no problem understanding the topics.
The quiz is designed for kids under 12.
How to Use the Amino Acid Quiz? (Parental Guide)
You’ll find some basic information about amino acids on this page. It’s best to ask your kid(s) to read them before taking the quiz. If they can’t read, make sure to read the facts for them.
Then, you can start the amino acid quiz. The questions are easy-to-answer to keep the kids engaged. There will be a guiding text after each answer. So, your children will have to chance to learn about these structures even more.
Note: the questions are based on the following facts and the Story of Miss C. So, give your kids a chance to review this page’s information before taking the test.
9 Things Every Kid Should Know About Amino Acids
Read these 9 facts before taking the amino acid quiz. Here, you can learn everything about this magical structure that builds our body!
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are groups of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. They help your body create protein. Then, you use those proteins to grow up and become stronger.
Do we need them?
Yes, you do. You need amino acids to grow up. Your body becomes weak without them.
What happens when amino acids attach?
When two or more amino acids attach, they create a protein. Your body uses proteins to create muscles. And that’s how you grow up.
What are the essential amino acids?
“Essential” means necessary. So, essential amino acids are important. That’s because your body can’t produce them. You should eat
There are 9 essential amino acids out there. Each of them has a special name. Here’s a table to introduce all essential amino acids.
| Essential Amino Acid’s Name |
What It Does |
| Histidine | Fights allergic diseases |
| Isoleucine | Helps to create hemoglobin |
| Leucine | Helps with your metabolism |
| Lysine | |
| Methionine | Removes harmful things in your body |
| Phenylalanine | It’s necessary to build bones |
| Threonine | Helps to treat various nervous system disorders |
| Tryptophan | Creates brain chemicals |
| Valine | It makes your muscles grow faster |
What are the nonessential amino acids?
The nonessential amino acids are those that your body produces. But that doesn’t mean they’re not important. It only means that you don’t have to worry about the lack of them.
There are 11 nonessential amino acids out there. Below, you can find a table that introduces all of them.
Nonessential Amino Acid |
What It Does |
Alanine |
It’s an energy source for muscles |
| Arginine | It helps with the oxygen level in your blood |
| Asparagine |
It helps with protein structuring |
| Aspartic acid | It helps your body create hormones |
| Cysteine | It is an important part of your nails, hair, and skin |
| Glutamic acid | It helps your brain send and receive information |
| Glutamine | It helps your immune system |
Glycine |
It helps your body create enzymes |
| Proline |
It helps your wounds heal faster |
| Serine | |
| Tyrosine |
How many amino acids are there?
We learned that there are 9 essential and 11 nonessential amino acids. So, 9+11=20. Yes, there are 20 types of them in your body.
What is an R Group?
An R group is a chain of molecules that attaches an amino acid. The R group defines the functions of amino acids. If it says, “you have to become Actin,” the amino acid will listen.
What foods have the most amino acids?
Eggs, turkey, cottage cheese, mushrooms, and fishes are rich in amino acids. So, if you want to grow up faster and become stronger, make sure to eat them often.
What happens if you stop eating them?
Your body will have a problem creating proteins. So, you might feel less energetic.
The Story of Miss C – How Did She Create the Amino Acid Group?
Miss C was a lonely Carbon molecule. She had no friends. But she wanted to play with other molecules. One day, she decided to make new friends. She went outside and started waving at her neighbors.
Mr. N and his twin friends “H Brothers” saw Miss C.
So, they start waving too. Mr. N said, “come here, Miss C. Let’s play! I’m a Nitrogen molecule, and my friends are two Hydrogens.”
Miss C was so happy. She ran fast to join them. Now, they were a group of 4 happy molecules together. But Miss C wanted even more friends.
So, Miss C, H Brothers, and Mr. N started searching for new friends. Finally, they found another group of molecules in the playground. The other group had 4 molecules, just like them.
Miss C said, “hi, these are my friend, Mr. N and H Brothers. What is your name?”
One of the molecules in the other group said, “hello! My name is Mr. C. I’m a carbon molecule. And these are my friends, O sisters and Little H. O sisters are Oxygen molecules. Little H is Hydrogen.”
Miss C was so excited. She said, “We should all become friends. We can play many games together.”
Other molecules liked her idea. So, they held each other’s and created a group of 9 lovely molecules.
Later, other molecules of the city called them the Amino Acid group. And they lived a happy life ever since.
Disclaimer:
QuizExpo’s amino acid quiz is designed for kids under 12. That’s why all the ideas are presented in the simplest ways possible. The functions and structures of amino acids are more complicated. However, this quiz is the best introduction to the topic for kids.
