What is the difference between high biological value protein and low biological value protein?

• A. LV have all 8 essential amino acids
• B. HBV have all 8 essential amino acids
• C. HBV lack some essential amino acids
• D. LV and HBV are the same

Answer: (B)

Biological value shows how well a protein supplies the essential amino acids the body needs to grow and function. High biological value proteins contain all eight essential amino acids in the right proportions, so the body can use almost all of the protein for tissue synthesis. Low biological value proteins are incomplete and lack one or more of these essential amino acids or provide them in too small amounts, making them less efficient for building body tissues. So the best description is that high biological value proteins have all eight essential amino acids, distinguishing them from low biological value proteins that do not. In practice, animal proteins are typically high BV, while many plant proteins are low BV unless combined with others to complement the amino acids.