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Biology Nutrition Health

Asked 21 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1996 · last asked 2022

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All 21 questions

Newest first — expand for options, answers, and explanations

Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics: 1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast. 2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut. 3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2022Sci & Tech
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3
D2 and 3

Explanation

Probiotics are composed of beneficial bacteria and sometimes yeast. These organisms are naturally found in our gut and also in certain foods we consume. Probiotics aid in the digestion of various substances, including milk sugars, helping improve gut health and overall digestion.

Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

2021Sci & Tech
ACongress grass
BElephant grass
CLemongrass
DNut grass

Explanation

Lemongrass is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent due to its high citronella content. Citronella is a natural insect repellent that masks scents that attract mosquitoes, making it an effective and eco-friendly option for repelling mosquitoes.

Consider the following organisms: 1. Agaricus 2. Nostoc 3. Spirogyra. Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?

2013Sci & Tech
A1 and 2
B2 only
C2 and 3
D3 only

Explanation

In the realm of Biology, Agaricus, Nostoc, and Spirogyra are three organisms. Among these, Nostoc serves as a biofertilizer by converting atmospheric nitrogen and is commonly applied to paddy fields.

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? 1. Excretion of urea by animals 2. Burning of coal by man 3. Death of vegetation Which of the codes given below is/are correct?

2010Sci & Tech
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The process of adding nitrogen to the soil can be achieved through the excretion of urea by animals and the death of vegetation. However, burning coal by humans does not contribute nitrogen to the soil, as it releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere instead. So, the correct options are 1 and 3 only (c).

Which one among the following is not a good source of nutritional calcium?

2006Sci & Tech
ARice
BRagi
CSkimmed milk
DEgg

Explanation

Out of the options provided, rice is identified as the least effective source of nutritional calcium when compared to ragi, skimmed milk, and eggs.

Consider the following statements: 1. Caffeine, a constituent of tea and coffee is a diuretic 2. Citric acid is used in soft drinks 3. Ascorbic acid is essential for formation of bones and teeth 4. Citric acid is a good substitution ascorbic acid in our nutrition. Which of the statements given above are correct?

2006Sci & Tech
A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 3 only
C3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

In the given statements, it is correct that caffeine found in tea and coffee acts as a diuretic and that citric acid is commonly used in soft drinks. However, it is incorrect to say that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is crucial for bone and teeth formation; instead, vitamin D plays that role. Additionally, citric acid is not a suitable replacement for ascorbic acid in our dietary needs. Therefore, the correct statements among the options provided are 1 and 2 only, which makes option (a) the correct answer.

Which one of the following statements about Vitamin D is not correct?

2004Sci & Tech
AIt can be synthesized by our body
BIt helps in calcium absorption
CIts deficiency causes rickets
DIt is a water-soluble vitamin

Explanation

Vitamin D is a type of vitamin that dissolves in fat, not water. It plays a role in aiding the body in absorbing calcium and also in preventing rickets, a condition resulting from its deficiency.

Which one of the following vitamins is essential for blood clotting?

2004Sci & Tech
AVitamin A
BVitamin C
CVitamin D
DVitamin K

Explanation

Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting because it plays a role in producing clotting factors.

Assertion (A): Fatty acids should be a part of the balanced human diet. Reason (R): The cells of the human body cannot synthesize any fatty acids.

2004Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

In the context of a balanced human diet, it is important to include fatty acids. This is because the cells in the human body are unable to produce any fatty acids on their own.

Which one of the following is NOT an essential amino acid?

2003Sci & Tech
ALysine
BHistidine
CGlycine
DTryptophan

Explanation

Glycine is not considered an essential amino acid because the human body has the ability to produce it. On the other hand, lysine, histidine, and tryptophan are essential amino acids as they cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet.

Xerophthalmia is a disease caused by deficiency of vitamin:

2001Sci & Tech
AA
BB
CC
DD

Explanation

Xerophthalmia is a condition that results from a lack of vitamin A. It is commonly observed in economically disadvantaged populations.

Linus Pauling is associated with

1999Sci & Tech
AVitamin C
BVitamin A
CVitamin B
DVitamin D

Explanation

Linus Carl Pauling suggested that consuming a high amount of vitamin C could potentially aid in reducing the risk of both the common cold and cancer.

Consumption of fish is considered to be healthy when compared to flesh of other animals because fish contains

1998Sci & Tech
Apolyunsaturated fatty acids
Bsaturated fatty acids
Cessential vitamins
Dmore carbohydrates and proteins

Explanation

Consuming fish is believed to be beneficial for health compared to the meat of other animals because fish contains polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids act as antioxidants and aid in the formation of tissues.

What is the average fat content of buffalo milk?

1997Sci & Tech
A7.2%
B4.5%
C9.0%
D10.0%

Explanation

In buffalo milk, the average fat content is 7.2%, while in cow milk, it is 4.5%. The correct answer to the question regarding the average fat content of buffalo milk is option (a), which is 7.2%.

The major component of honey is

1997Sci & Tech
Aglucose
Bsucrose
Cmaltose
Dfructose

Explanation

The primary element found in honey is fructose.

Daily intake of proteins, recommended for a moderately active woman is

1997Sci & Tech
A30 g
B37 g
C40 g
D46 g

Explanation

For a moderately active woman, the recommended daily intake of protein is 46 grams.

Living organisms require at least 27 elements, of which 15 are metals. Among these, those required in major quantities, include

1996Sci & Tech
Apotassium, manganese, molybdenum and calcium
Bpotassium, molybdenum, copper and calcium
Cpotassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium
Dsodium, magnesium, copper and manganese

Explanation

Organisms need a minimum of 27 elements to survive, with 15 of these being metals. The essential elements needed in larger quantities are potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Manganese, molybdenum, and copper are considered trace elements. The correct option is (c) potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below: List-I: A. Vitamin B. Enzyme C. Hormone D. Protein | List-II: 1. Pepsin 2. Carotene 3. Keratin 4. Progesterone

1996Sci & Tech
AA – 1; B – 2; C – 3; D – 4
BA – 2; B – 1; C – 4; D – 3
CA – 2; B – 1; C – 3; D – 4
DA – 1; B – 2; C – 4; D – 3

Explanation

In this biology question, you were asked to match items from List-I with corresponding items from List-II. The correct match is: Vitamin (A) with Carotene (2), Enzyme (B) with Pepsin (1), Hormone (C) with Progesterone (4), and Protein (D) with Keratin (3). This corresponds to option (b) as the correct answer. Regarding the statement about the Vitamin A group including retinol and carotene being a precursor to this group, it means that carotene is a substance that can be converted into Vitamin A in the body.

Which of the following would lead to malnutrition? 1. Overnutrition 2. Undernutrition 3. Imbalanced nutrition

1996Sci & Tech
A2 alone
B2 and 3
C1 and 3
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Malnutrition occurs when there is not enough, too much, or an imbalance of nutrient intake.

Besides proteins and carbohydrates, other elements of nutritional value found in milk, include

1996Sci & Tech
Acalcium, potassium and iron
Bcalcium and potassium
Cpotassium and iron
Dcalcium and iron

Explanation

In addition to proteins and carbohydrates, milk also contains significant amounts of calcium and potassium.

Which one of the following is not an essential micronutrient for plants?

1996Sci & Tech
ABoron
BZinc
CSodium
DCopper

Explanation

Among the options provided, sodium is the only micronutrient that is not essential for most plants. Boron, zinc, and copper are crucial micronutrients required by plants for their growth and development.