Biology

Deficiency Diseases and Disorders

722 Questions

Deficiency diseases and disorders are caused by a lack of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in the diet or environment. This includes conditions like anemia, goitre, and night blindness. Practice these questions to prepare for general science exams.

Vitamin deficiency symptomsMineral deficiency disordersMalnutrition conceptsHormonal and specific diseases

Deficiency Diseases and Disorders Questions

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?

  1. Inadequate dietary intake

  2. Poor absorption of vitamin B12

  3. Increased vitamin B12 requirements

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Vitamin B12 deficiency is primarily caused by poor absorption of the vitamin, often due to a lack of intrinsic factor, a protein produced by the stomach that aids in vitamin B12 absorption.

Multiple choice

Which nutrient deficiency can lead to the development of pellagra, characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia?

  1. Niacin

  2. Thiamin

  3. Riboflavin

  4. Vitamin B6
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Niacin deficiency, also known as pellagra, can cause a range of symptoms, including dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia, due to its role in various metabolic processes.

Multiple choice

Which nutrient deficiency can lead to the development of scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums, skin problems, and impaired wound healing?

  1. Vitamin C

  2. Vitamin K

  3. Vitamin E

  4. Vitamin A
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, can cause various symptoms, including bleeding gums, skin problems, and impaired wound healing, due to its role in collagen synthesis.

Multiple choice

What is the primary cause of zinc deficiency?

  1. Insufficient dietary zinc

  2. Poor absorption of zinc

  3. Increased zinc loss

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Zinc deficiency can be caused by insufficient dietary zinc, poor absorption of zinc (e.g., due to certain medical conditions), or increased zinc loss (e.g., through diarrhea or excessive sweating).

Multiple choice

Which nutrient deficiency can lead to the development of beriberi, characterized by neurological and cardiovascular symptoms?

  1. Thiamin

  2. Riboflavin

  3. Niacin

  4. Vitamin B6
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Thiamin deficiency, also known as beriberi, can cause a range of symptoms, including neurological and cardiovascular problems, due to its role in energy metabolism.

Multiple choice

Which nutrient deficiency can lead to the development of night blindness, characterized by impaired vision in dim light?

  1. Vitamin A

  2. Vitamin B12

  3. Iron

  4. Calcium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness, as it is essential for the production of rhodopsin, a protein necessary for low-light vision.

Multiple choice

What is the primary cause of iodine deficiency?

  1. Insufficient dietary iodine

  2. Poor absorption of iodine

  3. Increased iodine loss

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Iodine deficiency is primarily caused by insufficient dietary iodine intake, as the body cannot produce iodine on its own.

Multiple choice

Which nutrient deficiency can lead to the development of anemia, characterized by fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath?

  1. Iron

  2. Vitamin B12

  3. Folic acid

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Anemia can be caused by deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, as these nutrients are essential for the production of red blood cells.

Multiple choice

Which nutrient deficiency can lead to the development of rickets, characterized by soft and weak bones in children?

  1. Vitamin D

  2. Calcium

  3. Phosphorus

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rickets can be caused by deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus, as these nutrients are essential for bone mineralization.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a symptom of vitamin C deficiency?

  1. Scurvy

  2. Night blindness

  3. Rickets

  4. Beriberi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Scurvy is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Symptoms of scurvy include bleeding gums, impaired wound healing, and skin problems.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common type of nutritional disorder that can occur in animals due to a deficiency of a specific nutrient?

  1. Rickets

  2. Scurvy

  3. Night Blindness

  4. Pica
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Rickets, scurvy, night blindness, and pica are all common types of nutritional disorders that can occur in animals due to a deficiency of a specific nutrient.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common cause of anemia in children?

  1. Iron deficiency

  2. Vitamin B12 deficiency

  3. Folate deficiency

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and folate deficiency are all common causes of anemia in children.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of malnutrition?

  1. Undernutrition

  2. Overnutrition

  3. Hidden hunger

  4. Stunted growth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Stunted growth is not a type of malnutrition, but rather a consequence of malnutrition.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of lactose intolerance in children?

  1. A deficiency of the enzyme lactase

  2. An allergy to milk

  3. Constipation

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

Multiple choice

What is the primary concern for vegetarian athletes?

  1. Iron deficiency

  2. Protein deficiency

  3. Vitamin B12 deficiency

  4. Calcium deficiency
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Vitamin B12 is found exclusively in animal products, so vegetarian athletes need to be mindful of their intake to avoid deficiency.