Vitamins and Nutrition Archives

21. In which of the following groups of organisms, is food material broken

In which of the following groups of organisms, is food material broken down outside the body and absorbed ?

Yeast, mushroom, bread mould

Mushroom, Amoeba, green plants

Caserta, tapeworm, lice

Paramecium, Amoeba, Caserta

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

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Fungi, such as yeast, mushroom, and bread mould, obtain nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes onto the food source outside their bodies and then absorbing the digested material. This is called external digestion or saprophytic nutrition.

Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that use an absorptive mode of nutrition, typically involving extracellular breakdown of organic matter.

Amoeba and Paramecium (Protozoa) typically use phagocytosis, where they engulf food particles and digest them internally. Green plants are autotrophs that produce their own food through photosynthesis. Caserta (Cuscuta) and tapeworm are parasites; they absorb digested nutrients from their host rather than breaking down complex material externally themselves like fungi.

22. The disease rickets develops in children due to the deficiency of :

The disease rickets develops in children due to the deficiency of :

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin A

Vitamin B

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2022

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The disease rickets develops in children due to the deficiency of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is crucial for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for the proper development and maintenance of bones. Deficiency of Vitamin D leads to impaired mineralization of bones, causing them to become soft and weak. In children, this condition is known as rickets, characterized by bone deformities.

Deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy. Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause night blindness and other vision problems. Deficiency of various Vitamin B complex vitamins can cause different diseases, such as Beriberi (B1), Pellagra (B3), etc.

23. Which one of the following naturally occurring acids is found in abund

Which one of the following naturally occurring acids is found in abundance in tomato ?

Acetic acid

Citric acid

Oxalic acid

Tartaric acid

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2021

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Tomatoes contain several organic acids, including citric acid, malic acid, and oxalic acid. While citric acid is often the most abundant acid overall in tomatoes and contributes significantly to their flavour, oxalic acid is also notably present in tomatoes, distinguishing them from many other fruits in terms of acid composition that might be highlighted in specific contexts (e.g., dietary oxalate intake). Among the options provided, Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in abundance (meaning significant quantity, though perhaps not always the single most abundant) in tomatoes, along with other acids. Citric acid is also present, and often in higher concentration, but oxalic acid is a recognized constituent in tomatoes, particularly in discussions of dietary oxalates. Considering the potential ambiguity and common association, Oxalic acid is a plausible answer if the question intends to highlight a specific, notable acid present in significant amounts.

Tomatoes contain several organic acids. Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in tomatoes, along with citric and malic acids.

The relative abundance of acids in tomatoes can vary depending on the variety, ripeness, and growing conditions. While citric acid is often considered the principal acid by weight, oxalic acid is also a significant component. Other acids like malic acid are also present. The presence of oxalic acid in tomatoes is relevant for individuals concerned about oxalate intake and kidney stones.

24. Which one of the following organisms is dependent on saprophytic mode

Which one of the following organisms is dependent on saprophytic mode of nutrition?

Agaricus

Ulothrix

Riccia

Cladophora

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2019

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Agaricus is a genus of fungi, commonly known as mushrooms. Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that obtain nutrients by absorption. Many fungi, including Agaricus, are saprophytic, meaning they feed on dead and decaying organic matter.

Saprophytic nutrition involves obtaining nutrients from dead organic material. Fungi are often saprophytic.

Ulothrix and Cladophora are green algae, which are photosynthetic and therefore autotrophic. Riccia is a liverwort, a type of bryophyte, which is also photosynthetic and autotrophic.

25. Bleeding of gums, falling of teeth, fragile bones and delayed wound he

Bleeding of gums, falling of teeth, fragile bones and delayed wound healing occur due to the deficiency of which one of the following vitamins?

Vitamin C

Vitamin K

Vitamin D

Vitamin B

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2017

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The correct answer is A) Vitamin C.

The symptoms listed, such as bleeding of gums, falling of teeth, fragile bones, and delayed wound healing, are classical signs of Scurvy. Scurvy is a disease caused by severe deficiency of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid). Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a vital protein that forms connective tissues in the skin, gums, bones, and blood vessels.

Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in immune function and iron absorption. Deficiency impairs collagen formation, leading to weakened connective tissues, capillary fragility (causing bleeding gums), and impaired wound healing. Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting; Vitamin D for calcium metabolism and bone health; Vitamin B complex vitamins are involved in various metabolic processes.

26. Glucose is a source of energy. Which one of the following types of mol

Glucose is a source of energy. Which one of the following types of molecule is Glucose ?

Carbohydrate

Protein

Fat

Nucleic acid

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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Glucose is a type of Carbohydrate.

– Glucose (C6H12O6) is a monosaccharide, which is the simplest form of carbohydrate.
– Carbohydrates are organic compounds that serve as a primary source of energy for living organisms.
– Proteins are polymers of amino acids, fats are lipids composed of fatty acids and glycerol, and nucleic acids (like DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides.

Glucose is broken down through cellular respiration to produce ATP, the main energy currency of the cell.

27. Which one of the following vitamins has a role in blood clotting ?

Which one of the following vitamins has a role in blood clotting ?

Vitamin A

Vitamin B

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting (coagulation). It is essential for the synthesis of several clotting factors (proteins) in the liver, including factor II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X, as well as protein C and protein S. These factors are involved in the cascade of reactions that lead to the formation of a blood clot.

Vitamin K is necessary for the synthesis of proteins involved in the blood clotting process.

Vitamin A is important for vision, immune function, and cell growth. Vitamin B vitamins (a group) are involved in various metabolic processes, energy production, and nerve function. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, bone health, and immune function.

28. Which of the following pairs of vitamin and disease is / are correctly

Which of the following pairs of vitamin and disease is / are correctly matched ?

1. Vitamin A : Rickets
2. Vitamin B₁ : Beriberi
3. Vitamin C : Scurvy

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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The correct option is B) 2 and 3 only.

Let’s evaluate each statement:
1. Vitamin A : Rickets. Rickets is caused by Vitamin D deficiency, leading to weakened and deformed bones, primarily in children. Vitamin A deficiency causes xerophthalmia (including night blindness) and increased susceptibility to infections. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Vitamin B₁ : Beriberi. Beriberi is a disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (Vitamin B₁), affecting the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system. Symptoms include weakness, nerve damage, and heart problems. So, statement 2 is correct.
3. Vitamin C : Scurvy. Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It leads to symptoms like fatigue, bleeding gums, joint pain, skin lesions, and poor wound healing. So, statement 3 is correct.

Deficiencies of essential vitamins lead to specific deficiency diseases. Understanding the links between vitamins and their associated deficiency diseases is important for health and nutrition. Other notable examples include Pellagra (Niacin/B₃ deficiency), Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency), and Goiter (Iodine deficiency, a mineral, not a vitamin).