Question 1

Which of the following is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a coenzyme in energy metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production. It is essential for converting pyruvate to acetyl-CoA in cellular respiration.

Question 2

Which of the following diseases is caused by a deficiency of Iodine?

Accepted Answer

Goiter is caused by iodine deficiency. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. When iodine intake is insufficient, the thyroid gland enlarges (becomes a goiter) in an attempt to produce adequate thyroid hormones.

Question 3

Which vitamin is known as the 'Sunshine Vitamin' because it is produced by the human body when exposed to sunlight?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. It is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Deficiency of Vitamin D causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Question 4

Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition primarily caused by deficiency of which nutrient?

Accepted Answer

Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition caused primarily by protein deficiency. It is characterized by edema, fatty liver, skin lesions, and hair discoloration. It commonly affects young children in developing countries.

Question 5

Which of the following minerals is essential for the formation of hemoglobin and the transport of oxygen in the blood?

Accepted Answer

Iron is the essential mineral required for hemoglobin formation. Iron is a key component of the heme group in hemoglobin, which binds oxygen and enables its transport throughout the body.

Question 6

Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by the human body and does NOT need to be obtained from dietary sources?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized by the human body when skin is exposed to sunlight (UV-B radiation), making it unique among essential vitamins. While it can also be obtained from food sources like fatty fish and fortified milk, the body can produce adequate amounts endogenously. Other vitamins (A, B-complex, C, E, K) must be obtained from dietary sources as the body cannot synthesize them.

Question 7

Beriberi is a deficiency disease caused by the lack of which vitamin?

Accepted Answer

Beriberi is caused by deficiency of Vitamin B1 (thiamine). This disease was historically common in populations that consumed polished white rice as a staple, as the thiamine-rich bran layer was removed during processing.

Question 8

Scurvy is a deficiency disease caused by the lack of which vitamin, and what is its primary function?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is caused by Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, which is required for the structural integrity of connective tissues, blood vessels, and skin.

Question 9

Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by the human body when skin is exposed to sunlight?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. This is why it is sometimes called the 'sunshine vitamin.' The synthesis occurs in the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin.

Question 10

Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of which vitamin?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is caused by deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). This disease was historically common among sailors on long voyages who lacked access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Symptoms include bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and weakness.

Question 11

Scurvy is a deficiency disease caused by the lack of which nutrient, and which body system is primarily affected?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is caused by Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and its deficiency leads to weakened connective tissue, resulting in bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and joint pain. The disease primarily affects the integumentary and skeletal systems.

Question 12

Scurvy is a deficiency disease that results from prolonged lack of which vitamin, and it primarily affects which tissue type?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is caused by Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency and primarily affects connective tissue, including skin, gums, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis (hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues). Symptoms include bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and petechiae (small red spots from capillary bleeding).

Question 13

Beriberi is a deficiency disease caused by the lack of which vitamin, and it primarily affects which system of the body?

Accepted Answer

Beriberi is caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency and primarily affects the nervous system (peripheral neuropathy) and cardiovascular system. There are two forms: wet beriberi (cardiac) and dry beriberi (neurological). It was historically common in populations consuming polished white rice without thiamine-rich bran.

Question 14

Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by the human body and does NOT need to be obtained entirely from dietary sources?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight (UV-B radiation), and the kidneys and liver convert it to its active form. While dietary sources contribute, the body can produce sufficient amounts through sun exposure. Vitamins A, B12, and C cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from food sources.

Question 15

Which of the following diseases is caused by a prion and is transmissible through infected neural tissue?

Accepted Answer

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by prions (misfolded proteins). Prions are unique infectious agents composed entirely of protein with no genetic material. Variant CJD (vCJD) is transmissible through consumption of infected beef (BSE/mad cow disease). Other forms include sporadic CJD and familial CJD.

Question 16

Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by the human body and does NOT need to be obtained primarily from dietary sources?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight (UV-B radiation), making it unique among essential vitamins. While dietary sources exist, the body can produce adequate amounts through sun exposure. Other vitamins (A, B12, C) must be obtained from food sources.

Question 17

Which vitamin deficiency causes the disease 'Rickets' in children?

Accepted Answer

Rickets is caused by deficiency of Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium and phosphorus absorption, leading to softening and weakening of bones. Vitamin D is also known as the 'sunshine vitamin' as it is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight.

Question 18

Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition. Which of the following is a characteristic clinical sign of kwashiorkor that distinguishes it from marasmus?

Accepted Answer

Kwashiorkor is characterized by edema (swelling), fatty infiltration of the liver, skin lesions (dermatitis), and hair changes, despite some caloric intake. Marasmus, by contrast, shows severe wasting without edema. Kwashiorkor results from protein deficiency with relatively adequate carbohydrate intake, while marasmus results from overall caloric deficiency.

Question 19

Which of the following is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito?

Accepted Answer

Malaria is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, which is the only mosquito genus capable of transmitting the Plasmodium parasite to humans. The female Anopheles mosquito requires a blood meal for egg production and becomes infected when feeding on an infected person.

Question 20

Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by the human body and does NOT require dietary intake for its primary production?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. The 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin is converted to previtamin D3, which is then converted to active vitamin D (calcitriol) in the liver and kidneys. While dietary sources exist, the body can produce sufficient vitamin D endogenously, making it unique among essential vitamins. Vitamins A, B12, and C must be obtained from dietary sources as the human body cannot synthesize them.

SSC CGL Diseases & Nutrition

Diseases & Nutrition— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

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Diseases & Nutrition — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Diseases & Nutrition