A _____ protein lacks or contains inadequate amounts of one or more of the essential amino acids.

• A. globular
• B. fibrous
• C. incomplete
• D. complete

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of essential amino acids: Essential amino acids are those that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet. Proteins that provide all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts are considered 'complete,' while those that lack one or more are 'incomplete.'
2. Analyze the question: The problem is asking for the term that describes a protein that lacks or contains inadequate amounts of one or more essential amino acids.
3. Review the provided options: The options include 'globular,' 'fibrous,' 'incomplete,' and 'complete.' Note that 'globular' and 'fibrous' describe protein structure, not amino acid composition.
4. Focus on the correct terms: 'Complete' proteins contain all essential amino acids in adequate amounts, while 'incomplete' proteins lack one or more essential amino acids. Based on the definition, the correct term for the protein described in the question is 'incomplete.'
5. Conclude: The correct answer is 'incomplete,' as it matches the description of a protein lacking or having inadequate amounts of essential amino acids.