Biology

Minerals and Nutrients

936 Questions

Review essential biology concepts regarding minerals and nutrients in this question bank. It covers trace elements required by plants and minerals crucial for human blood and bone formation. These facts frequently appear in general science exams.

Essential plant micronutrientsChlorophyll synthesis elementsHuman blood and bone mineralsTrace elements in physiology

Minerals and Nutrients Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. Salts of calcium and phosphorus are required for making bones and teeth hard. b. Minerals have no energy value and are required in small quantities. c. Fats help the body in its growth and repair of body cells and tissues.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only c

  5. Only b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false. Proteins help the body in its growth and repair of body cells and tissues.

Multiple choice

PCR requires

  1. Li++

  2. Ca++

  3. Na++

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

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) requires Mg++ ions as an essential cofactor for Taq polymerase and other DNA polymerases used in PCR. Mg2+ is required for enzyme activity and stabilizes the DNA duplex. The reaction buffer contains MgCl2. Lithium, calcium, and sodium ions are not required for PCR - in fact, calcium can be inhibitory and the others are not part of the standard reaction mix.

Multiple choice

PCR requires:

  1. Li++

  2. Ca++

  3. Na++

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

PCR requires magnesium ions (Mg2+) as essential cofactors for Taq polymerase activity. Mg2+ stabilizes the DNA duplex and is required for the polymerase to function properly. The concentration of Mg2+ also affects primer annealing and specificity. Lithium, calcium, and sodium are not required cofactors for PCR.

Multiple choice

Molybdenum acts as cofactor in

  1. ferredoxin hydrogenase

  2. nitrile hydratase

  3. carboxylate reductase

  4. pyridoxal oxidase

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

Pyridoxal oxidase employs molybdenum as cofactor.

Multiple choice

The major constituent of vertebrate bone is

  1. calcium phosphate

  2. calcium carbonate

  3. sodium chloride

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

Vertebrate bones are primarily composed of calcium phosphate in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals, which provides hardness and rigidity. Calcium carbonate is the main component of invertebrate shells like those of mollusks. Sodium chloride and potassium hydroxide are not structural components of bone tissue.

Multiple choice

Micro-nutrients are

  1. as important as macro-nutrients but are required in small quantities

  2. less important than macro-nutrients

  3. called micro as they play only a minor role in plant nutrition

  4. Both (1) and (2)

  5. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Micro-nutrients are required in minute quantities but are as important as macro-nutrients. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a mobile mineral element in the plants?

  1. Ca

  2. Mo

  3. Fe

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

Mobile mineral elements in plants can be translocated from older to younger tissues when deficient. Molybdenum (Mo) is mobile, while Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu) are relatively immobile - once deposited in tissues, they cannot be easily moved to new growth.

Multiple choice

The element common to bone and cement is

  1. silicon

  2. phosphorus

  3. nitrogen

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

Calcium is a key component in both bone and cement. In bones, calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) provides structural strength and rigidity. In cement, calcium compounds like calcium silicate hydrate form during the curing process, binding the material together. The other elements listed are not major components of both materials.