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

Which of the following is/are the effect(s) of deficiency of nutrients in plants? (a) Reproduction is affected. (b) Susceptibility to diseases increase. (c) Physiological processes are affected.

  1. a and b

  2. b and c

  3. a and c

  4. a only

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. A number of elements are known to be needed in small amounts for proper plant growth and development. Nutrient deficiencies in these areas can adversely affect plant growth and development. All these are adversely affected by deficiency in nutrients.

Multiple choice

Deficiency diseases are caused due to the deficiency of:

  1. Carbohydrates

  2. Proteins

  3. Vitamins

  4. Fats

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Deficiency diseases like scurvy (vitamin C), beriberi (thiamine), rickets (vitamin D), night blindness (vitamin A), and anemia (iron) are caused primarily by vitamin or mineral deficiencies. While protein deficiency causes kwashiorkor/marasmus, the term 'deficiency diseases' in common usage most directly refers to vitamin/mineral deficiencies.

Multiple choice

Osteomalacia occurs due to deficiency of

  1. vitamin A

  2. vitamin B

  3. vitamin C

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

Osteomalacia is a condition characterized by softening of the bones due to impaired bone mineralization, primarily caused by vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Without adequate vitamin D, bones become weak and prone to fractures. This condition is different from osteoporosis (age-related bone loss) and is specifically related to the mineralization defect.

Multiple choice

Cirrhosis occurring in a male with thalassemia would be a result of

  1. iron overload

  2. chronic anemia

  3. toxicity due to chelation therapy

  4. hepatitis infection due to transfusion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cirrhosis in individuals with thalassemia would be the result of chronic iron overload, although chelation therapy can prevent this from occurring.

Multiple choice

In patients with chronic renal disease, which of the following statements is NOT commonly observed?

  1. Erythropoietin levels are usually lowered.

  2. Anemia is a common problem.

  3. Erythropoietin can be given to treat the anemia.

  4. Erythropoietin is usually given as oral tablets.

  5. Iron deficiency can occur.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

As erythropoietin is a protein, it cannot be given orally as it will be digested in the gut. It is usually given subcutaneously, or less commonly intravenously.

Multiple choice

Anemia is the disease due to the deficiency of

  1. iron

  2. oxygen

  3. sulphur

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Anemia is primarily caused by iron deficiency, which reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen due to insufficient hemoglobin production. Oxygen itself is not a nutrient whose deficiency causes anemia, and sulfur is not directly involved in hemoglobin synthesis. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type worldwide, making 'iron' the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

Vitamins Deficiency diseases
a. Vitamin B 1. Night blindness
b. Vitamin A 2. Rickets
c. Vitamin C 3. Beri-beri
d. Vitamin D 4. Scurvy

  1. a - 3, b - 1, c - 4, d - 2

  2. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2, d - 4

  3. a - 1, b - 3, c - 4, d - 2

  4. a - 3, b - 4, c - 1, d - 2

  5. a - 2, b - 1, c - 4, d - 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. Vitamin B causes beri-beri, vitamin A causes night blindness, vitamin C causes scurvy and vitamin D causes rickets.

Multiple choice

Microcytic hypochromic anemia is seen in all except

  1. thalassemia

  2. iron deficiency anemia

  3. malaria

  4. lead poisoning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The question asks for the exception - which condition does NOT cause microcytic hypochromic anemia. Malaria typically causes normocytic or macrocytic anemia due to hemolysis and dyserythropoiesis, while thalassemia, iron deficiency, and lead poisoning all classically produce microcytic hypochromic red cells.

Multiple choice

By deficiency of which vitamin does night blindness occur?

  1. B

  2. A

  3. C

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

Vitamin A deficiency is a well-established cause of night blindness (nyctalopia). Vitamin A is essential for the formation of rhodopsin, the visual pigment in rod cells that enables vision in low light conditions. Vitamins B, C, and D have different functions and are not directly related to night vision.