Food Preservation, Nutrition, Medicine, etc.

1. Which one of the following compounds is present in antacid tablets or

Which one of the following compounds is present in antacid tablets or medicines which are used to cure indigestion and acidity in the stomach ?

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Sodium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Lithium hydroxide
Aluminium hydroxide
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2022
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The correct answer is Aluminium hydroxide.
Antacid tablets or medicines are used to neutralize excess stomach acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl) to relieve indigestion and acidity. Antacids are typically bases or basic salts.
Let’s look at the given options:
A) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): This is a strong base (lye). It is highly corrosive and would cause severe internal burns if ingested. It is not used as an antacid.
B) Potassium hydroxide (KOH): Similar to sodium hydroxide, this is also a strong base (caustic potash) and is highly corrosive. It is not used as an antacid.
C) Lithium hydroxide (LiOH): A strong base. Not used in antacids.
D) Aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)₃): This is a weak base commonly used in antacid formulations, often combined with magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) or calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Aluminium hydroxide reacts with stomach acid to form aluminium chloride and water: Al(OH)₃(s) + 3HCl(aq) → AlCl₃(aq) + 3H₂O(l). It helps neutralize acid and can also help protect the stomach lining.
Common active ingredients in antacids include Aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)₃), Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂), Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃). Aluminium and magnesium based antacids can have side effects; aluminium salts can cause constipation, while magnesium salts can cause diarrhoea. Combination products are often used to balance these effects. Sodium bicarbonate is fast-acting but can cause belching and flatulence due to CO₂ production, and can be a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. Calcium carbonate is effective but can also cause belching and constipation.

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2. Isotope of Cobalt is used in the treatment of

Isotope of Cobalt is used in the treatment of

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Cancer.
Goitre.
Beriberi.
Crohn's disease.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021
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The radioactive isotope Cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co) is widely used in medicine, particularly in radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. It emits gamma rays which are used to kill cancer cells.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Radioactive isotopes (radioisotopes) decay, emitting radiation.
⁶⁰Co is a common source of gamma rays for external beam radiotherapy machines (historically known as ‘cobalt bombs’).
While radiotherapy is a key use, ⁶⁰Co is also used for sterilization of medical equipment and food irradiation due to its potent gamma radiation. Goitre is often treated with Iodine-131.

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3. Consider the following pairs : Commonly used / consumed mate

Consider the following pairs :

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Commonly used / consumed materialsUnwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them
1.LipstickLead
2.Soft drinksBrominated vegetable oils
3.Chinese fast foodMonosodium glutamate

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

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. All three pairs are correctly matched, identifying commonly found or controversial chemicals in the respective products.
– Lipstick: Trace amounts of lead have been a subject of concern and regulatory limits in some lipsticks. Lead can be present as a contaminant in color additives.
– Soft drinks: Brominated Vegetable Oils (BVOs) have been used as an emulsifier in some citrus-flavored soft drinks to keep flavor oils suspended. While the use has declined and is banned in some regions, it has been a common ingredient.
– Chinese fast food: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavour enhancer derived from glutamic acid. It is commonly used in many processed foods and cuisines, including Chinese fast food, to enhance savoury taste.
These substances have varying levels of health concern and regulatory status. Lead in lipstick is generally a contaminant at very low levels. BVOs have faced scrutiny and are being phased out by some manufacturers. MSG is generally recognized as safe by regulatory bodies in many countries, although some individuals report sensitivity to it. Awareness of such chemicals in common products is increasing among consumers.

4. The isotope of which one among the following elements is used in the t

The isotope of which one among the following elements is used in the treatment of cancer ?

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Uranium
Cobalt
Iodine
Fluorine
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
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Several radioactive isotopes are used in the treatment of cancer, primarily in radiotherapy. Cobalt-60 is a widely used radioisotope that emits gamma rays, which are used in external beam radiotherapy machines (sometimes called “cobalt therapy”). Iodine-131 is used for internal radiotherapy, specifically in the treatment of thyroid cancer because the thyroid gland preferentially absorbs iodine. Uranium is used in nuclear power and weapons, not typically for direct cancer treatment. Fluorine-18 is a positron-emitting isotope used as a tracer in PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography), which is a diagnostic imaging technique, not a treatment. While Iodine-131 is used, Cobalt-60 is perhaps the most general and well-known example of a radioisotope used in radiotherapy for a wide range of cancers. Therefore, Cobalt is a correct answer.
Radioisotopes of certain elements are used in cancer treatment, particularly radiotherapy, to target and destroy cancer cells using emitted radiation. Cobalt-60 is a common example for external radiotherapy.
Other isotopes used in cancer therapy include Iridium-192 and Cesium-137 (brachytherapy), Gold-198 (colloidal gold therapy), and Phosphorus-32 (for polycythemia vera and chronic myeloid leukemia). Targeted alpha therapy uses isotopes that emit alpha particles (e.g., Radium-223, Actinium-225) linked to targeting molecules.

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5. Packets of potato chips are usually flushed with which one of the foll

Packets of potato chips are usually flushed with which one of the following gases to prevent rancidity?

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Carbon dioxide
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
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The correct answer is C) Nitrogen.
Packets of potato chips and other similar snacks contain fats and oils. These fats and oils can undergo oxidation when exposed to oxygen in the air, leading to rancidity, which results in unpleasant smells and flavors. To prevent this, the air inside the packets is replaced with an inert gas, most commonly nitrogen. Nitrogen is chosen because it is readily available, inexpensive, and does not react with the food components. This flushing process removes oxygen, significantly slowing down the oxidation process and preventing rancidity, thus extending the shelf life of the product.
This technique is an example of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), where the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the food is altered to improve preservation. Other gases like carbon dioxide are also sometimes used in food packaging, often in combination with nitrogen.

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6. Which one of the following artificial sweeteners is modified sugar ?

Which one of the following artificial sweeteners is modified sugar ?

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Aspartame
Saccharin
Sucralose
Alitame
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
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Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is a modified sugar.
Sucralose is derived from sucrose (table sugar) by replacing three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sucrose molecule with chlorine atoms. This chemical modification makes it about 320 to 1,000 times sweeter than sugar but indigestible by the body, hence providing virtually no calories.
Aspartame is a methyl ester of a dipeptide of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Saccharin is a synthetic sweetener with a bitter aftertaste, discovered in 1879. Alitame is a high-potency dipeptide-based artificial sweetener. Unlike sucralose, these are not chemically modified forms of sucrose.

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7. Which one of the following statements regarding baking powder is NOT c

Which one of the following statements regarding baking powder is NOT correct ?

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It is a mixture
It forms bubbles in a wet mixture
It can be used instead of using yeast
It does not contain sodium bicarbonate
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2015
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Baking powder is a chemical leavening agent that is a mixture of a base (typically sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃, also known as baking soda), a weak acid (such as cream of tartar, sodium aluminium sulfate, or monocalcium phosphate), and sometimes a starch filler. Statement D claims that baking powder does not contain sodium bicarbonate, which is false.
Sodium bicarbonate is a fundamental component of baking powder. When moistened, the acid and sodium bicarbonate react to produce carbon dioxide gas, which creates bubbles (leavening) in doughs and batters.
Options A, B, and C are correct statements about baking powder. A) It is a mixture of different chemical compounds. B) The reaction upon wetting produces carbon dioxide bubbles. C) It is used as an alternative leavening agent to yeast, providing a quicker rise without fermentation.

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8. Bleaching powder is added in water used for drinking purpose. The role

Bleaching powder is added in water used for drinking purpose. The role of bleaching powder in this case is

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of disinfectant
of bleaching agent
to remove impurity
to decrease the pH
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Bleaching powder (Calcium hypochlorite, Ca(ClO)2) is commonly added to water for drinking purposes because it releases chlorine, which acts as a powerful disinfectant. Chlorine kills or inactivates harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause waterborne diseases.
The disinfecting action of bleaching powder is due to the hypochlorite ion (ClO⁻) and hypochlorous acid (HClO) formed when it dissolves in water. HClO is a strong oxidizing agent.
While bleaching powder is a bleaching agent in other contexts (due to its oxidizing properties), its primary role in water treatment for drinking is disinfection. It does not directly remove dissolved impurities or significantly decrease the pH of the water at typical treatment concentrations.

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9. Which one of the following chemicals is an artificial sweetener prescr

Which one of the following chemicals is an artificial sweetener prescribed to diabetic persons ?

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Aspartame
Glucose
Sucrose
Maltose
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
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Aspartame is an artificial sweetener prescribed to diabetic persons.
Diabetic persons need to manage their blood sugar levels. Glucose, Sucrose (table sugar), and Maltose are all types of sugars that significantly increase blood sugar. Artificial sweeteners like Aspartame provide sweetness with minimal or no calories and do not raise blood sugar levels, making them suitable alternatives for diabetics.
Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener made of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is much sweeter than sugar. Other common artificial sweeteners include Saccharin, Sucralose, Stevia, and Neotame.

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10. Which one of the following elements’ isotopes is used in the treatment

Which one of the following elements’ isotopes is used in the treatment of cancer ?

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Iodine
Sodium
Cobalt
Uranium
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2021
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Radioactive isotopes are used in medicine for diagnosis and treatment. In the treatment of cancer, a process called radiotherapy is often used, which involves using radiation to kill cancer cells. Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope that emits high-energy gamma rays. These gamma rays can penetrate tissue and are used in external beam radiotherapy machines (often called “Cobalt therapy”) to target and destroy cancerous tumors.
Cobalt-60 ($^{60}$Co) is a common radioactive isotope used in cancer treatment (radiotherapy) due to its emission of gamma rays. While Iodine-131 is used to treat thyroid cancer, Cobalt-60 is used for a broader range of cancers in external radiotherapy.
Other radioisotopes used in medicine include Iodine-131 (thyroid conditions), Technetium-99m (diagnostic imaging), and Iridium-192 (brachytherapy). Uranium isotopes are mainly used as nuclear fuel and in nuclear weapons, not typically in medical treatment.

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