UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 6: Cells, the Human Body and Nutrition (30 MCQs)

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UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 6: Cells, the Human Body and Nutrition (30 MCQs) – 30 questions, subject: Science & Technology. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

Which organelle is called the powerhouse of the cell?

Correct Answer: D [Mitochondrion]

Explanation:

Mitochondria produce most of the cell's energy as ATP, so they are called the powerhouse of the cell.

2.  

Which of the following lacks a true nucleus?

Correct Answer: B [A bacterial cell]

Explanation:

prokaryote.

3.  

The universal donor blood group is:

Correct Answer: D [O negative]

Explanation:

O negative red cells carry no A, B or Rh antigen, so they can be given to any recipient.

4.  

Deficiency of iodine causes:

Correct Answer: B [goitre]

Explanation:

Iodine is needed to make thyroxine; its lack makes the thyroid gland enlarge, causing goitre.

5.  

T cells mature in the:

Correct Answer: A [thymus]

Explanation:

T lymphocytes arise in the bone marrow but mature in the thymus, which gives them the letter T.

6.  

Which of the following vitamins is made in the human skin in sunlight?

Correct Answer: C [Vitamin D]

Explanation:

Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

7.  

Insulin is produced by the:

Correct Answer: A [islets of Langerhans in the pancreas]

Explanation:

The islets of Langerhans in the pancreas secrete insulin, which lowers blood sugar.

8.  

Beriberi is caused by a deficiency of:

Correct Answer: C [vitamin B1]

Explanation:

thiamine.

9.  

In the human body, antibodies are produced by:

Correct Answer: B [B cells]

Explanation:

B cells, which mature in the bone marrow, make antibodies that lock on to particular antigens.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Human body cells have 46 chromosomes.
2. Meiosis halves the chromosome number to form sex cells.
3. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from both parents equally.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Body cells have 46 chromosomes and meiosis halves this number; mitochondrial DNA comes only from the mother.

11.  

Assertion (A): Fruits stored in a cold chamber last longer.

Reason (R): Low temperature slows down the rate of respiration in the fruit.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Low temperature slows respiration in harvested fruit, so its stored sugars are used up slowly and it lasts longer.

12.  

Which part of the brain controls balance and posture?

Correct Answer: D [Cerebellum]

Explanation:

The cerebellum coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance and posture.

13.  

Bile, which emulsifies fats, is produced by the:

Correct Answer: D [liver]

Explanation:

stored in the gall bladder.

14.  

Which vitamin, though water-soluble, can be stored in the liver for several years?

Correct Answer: A [Vitamin B12]

Explanation:

Vitamin B12 is water-soluble, yet the liver stores enough of it to last several years.

15.  

Plants free of viruses are usually obtained by:

Correct Answer: C [meristem culture]

Explanation:

The growing tip (meristem) is usually free of viruses, so plants raised from meristem culture are virus-free.

16.  

Which of the following serves as an indicator of sulphur dioxide pollution?

Correct Answer: B [Lichens]

Explanation:

Lichens are highly sensitive to sulphur dioxide and disappear from polluted air, so they serve as indicators.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Robert Hooke describes cells
2. POSHAN Abhiyaan launched
3. Double-helix structure of DNA proposed
4. Discovery of insulin

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1-4-3-2]

Explanation:

1665, 1921, 1953, 2018.

18.  

Which of the following provides the most energy per gram?

Correct Answer: D [Fats]

Explanation:

about 9 kcal.

19.  

Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of which of the following vitamins?

Correct Answer: B [Vitamin B3 (niacin)]

Explanation:

lack of niacin (vitamin B3) causes pellagra; groundnut and meat are good sources.

20.  

Vitamin K is needed mainly for:

Correct Answer: A [clotting of blood]

Explanation:

Vitamin K is needed to make blood-clotting factors; its lack delays clotting.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Which one of the following is synthesised in the human body that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow?

Correct Answer: A [Nitric oxide]

Explanation:

Nitric oxide made in the lining of blood vessels relaxes them, widening the vessels and increasing blood flow.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?

Correct Answer: D [They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.]

Explanation:

they are the cells of adaptive immunity.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

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?

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3]

Explanation:

Probiotics include bacteria and yeasts, and they help digest lactose; statement 2 is wrong as they occur naturally in the gut.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells?

1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
2. Plant cells do not have plasma membranes unlike animal cells which do.
3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst an animal cell has many small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Plant cells have a cellulose wall and one large central vacuole, but they also have a plasma membrane.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia Diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of:

Correct Answer: D [Textile fibre]

Explanation:

Himalayan nettle stems yield a strong natural fibre, promoted as a sustainable textile source in the hills.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Consider the following pairs:

Vitamin – Deficiency Disease

1. Vitamin C – Scurvy
2. Vitamin D – Rickets
3. Vitamin E – Night blindness

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy and vitamin D deficiency rickets; night blindness is due to lack of vitamin A.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants?

1. Vegetative propagation produces a clonal population.
2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
3. Vegetative propagation can be practised most of the year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

it does not remove viruses of the parent.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

Correct Answer: B [algae and fungi]

Explanation:

A lichen is a symbiotic association of a fungus with an alga that can colonise bare rock.

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because

Correct Answer: C [rate of respiration is decreased]

Explanation:

Low temperature in a cold chamber slows the fruit's respiration and microbial action, extending storage life.

30.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because

Correct Answer: C [most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation]

Explanation:

the plant cannot absorb enough water.

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