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General Scientific Awareness

Health and Nutrition Practice Questions

20 free Health and Nutrition practice questions for the General Science. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 20 Easy

Which vitamin is synthesized in the human body when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UVB) radiation from sunlight?

  1. A Vitamin A
  2. B Vitamin C
  3. C Vitamin D
  4. D Vitamin K

Correct answer: Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often called the 'sunshine vitamin' because the skin produces it from cholesterol when exposed to sunlight. It is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.

Question 2 of 20 Easy

Scurvy is a disease characterized by bleeding gums and poor wound healing. It is caused by a deficiency of which vitamin?

  1. A Vitamin B12
  2. B Vitamin C
  3. C Vitamin E
  4. D Vitamin A

Correct answer: Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is vital for the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein in connective tissues. A lack of this vitamin weakens these tissues, leading to the symptoms of scurvy.

Question 3 of 20 Easy

Which essential mineral is a primary component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body?

  1. A Calcium
  2. B Zinc
  3. C Iron
  4. D Potassium

Correct answer: Iron

Iron is required for the production of hemoglobin. A deficiency in iron leads to anemia, characterized by fatigue and shortness of breath due to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Marasmus and Kwashiorkor are two severe forms of malnutrition primarily caused by a deficiency in which macronutrient?

  1. A Carbohydrates
  2. B Fats
  3. C Proteins
  4. D Fiber

Correct answer: Proteins

While Marasmus is a general calorie deficiency, Kwashiorkor is specifically caused by severe protein deficiency despite adequate calorie intake. This often leads to edema (swelling) in the abdomen.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

Which of the following is considered a 'fat-soluble' vitamin, meaning it is stored in the body's fatty tissue and liver?

  1. A Vitamin B1
  2. B Vitamin C
  3. C Vitamin B6
  4. D Vitamin K

Correct answer: Vitamin K

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, whereas Vitamin C and all B-complex vitamins are water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins can stay in the body for longer periods, increasing the risk of toxicity if over-consumed.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

What is the primary function of dietary fiber in the human digestive system?

  1. A Providing an immediate burst of energy for the muscles
  2. B Building and repairing muscle tissue
  3. C Regulating the body's core temperature
  4. D Aiding bowel movements and preventing constipation

Correct answer: Aiding bowel movements and preventing constipation

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. It adds bulk to the stool and helps food pass more quickly through the stomach and intestines.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

Which of the following is a primary source of 'Omega-3' fatty acids, which are known to support heart and brain health?

  1. A Red meat such as beef steak
  2. B Fatty fish such as salmon
  3. C White bread and pasta
  4. D Whole milk and butter

Correct answer: Fatty fish such as salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats found in high concentrations in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. They are known to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

Night blindness (Nyctalopia), the inability to see well in low light, is most commonly associated with a deficiency of:

  1. A Vitamin A
  2. B Vitamin D
  3. C Vitamin B2
  4. D Vitamin B12

Correct answer: Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that allows for vision in dim light. Prolonged deficiency can lead to permanent blindness through a condition called xerophthalmia.

Question 9 of 20 Easy

Which hormone, produced by the pancreas, allows cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy use?

  1. A Glucagon
  2. B Insulin
  3. C Leptin
  4. D Adrenaline

Correct answer: Insulin

Insulin acts like a key that opens cells to allow glucose to enter. In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, is typically caused by a dietary deficiency of which trace element?

  1. A Fluoride
  2. B Zinc
  3. C Copper
  4. D Iodine

Correct answer: Iodine

The thyroid gland requires iodine to produce hormones like thyroxine. To compensate for a lack of iodine, the gland swells in size, forming a goiter.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

Which type of cholesterol is often referred to as 'Good Cholesterol' because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream?

  1. A LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
  2. B VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein)
  3. C Triglycerides
  4. D HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Correct answer: HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

HDL transports cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver for excretion. Higher levels of HDL are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

The measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool used to estimate body fat based on which two factors?

  1. A Age and Weight
  2. B Height and Weight
  3. C Waist circumference and Height
  4. D Age and Gender

Correct answer: Height and Weight

BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²). While not directly measuring body fat, it correlates with fatness for most people.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

Which vitamin, also known as B9, is highly recommended for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus?

  1. A Biotin
  2. B Niacin
  3. C Riboflavin
  4. D Folic Acid

Correct answer: Folic Acid

Folic acid is crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division. Adequate intake before and during early pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of spinal cord and brain birth defects.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

Rickets is a condition in children that leads to soft and weak bones. It is caused by a lack of Vitamin D, calcium, or:

  1. A Phosphorus
  2. B Iron
  3. C Sodium
  4. D Molybdenum

Correct answer: Phosphorus

Bones are primarily made of calcium phosphate. A deficiency in Vitamin D prevents the absorption of these minerals, leading to impaired bone mineralization and the bowing of legs seen in rickets.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

Which of the following is the most energy-dense macronutrient, providing 9 calories per gram?

  1. A Carbohydrates
  2. B Dietary proteins
  3. C Alcohol
  4. D Dietary fats

Correct answer: Dietary fats

Fats provide 9 calories per gram, while both carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories per gram. Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram but is not considered a nutrient.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

The 'B-complex' vitamins are primarily known for their role in which bodily process?

  1. A Blood clotting
  2. B Energy metabolism
  3. C Vision and light detection
  4. D Calcium deposition

Correct answer: Energy metabolism

Most B vitamins act as coenzymes that help the body convert food (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) into fuel (ATP). They are essential for a healthy nervous system and cell function.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

Which mineral is necessary for proper muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and maintaining a healthy heart rhythm?

  1. A Potassium
  2. B Zinc
  3. C Phosphorus
  4. D Iodine

Correct answer: Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte that works with sodium to maintain electrical gradients across cell membranes. It is vital for the proper functioning of excitable tissues like muscles and nerves.

Question 18 of 20 Medium

Pernicious anemia is a specific type of anemia that occurs when the body cannot absorb enough of which vitamin due to a lack of 'intrinsic factor'?

  1. A Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
  2. B Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  3. C Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  4. D Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Correct answer: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 requires a protein called intrinsic factor, produced in the stomach, for absorption in the small intestine. Without it, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

Which of the following food groups has the lowest 'Glycemic Index' (GI), meaning it causes a slower, smaller rise in blood sugar levels?

  1. A Non-starchy vegetables
  2. B Polished white rice
  3. C Sugary breakfast cereals
  4. D Mashed potatoes

Correct answer: Non-starchy vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables are high in fiber and low in simple sugars, resulting in a low glycemic index. High-GI foods are digested quickly and cause rapid spikes in blood glucose.

Question 20 of 20 Easy

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by brittle bones and increased fracture risk. Which mineral is most essential to consume throughout life to prevent this?

  1. A Calcium
  2. B Iron
  3. C Magnesium
  4. D Zinc

Correct answer: Calcium

Calcium is the primary structural mineral in bones. Consuming enough calcium, along with Vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise, is essential for maintaining bone density as people age.

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