Biology · General Awareness

Vitamins and Nutrition

1,549 Questions

Review essential concepts of human nutrition, focusing on macro and micronutrients. The questions cover vitamin deficiencies, sources, and their physiological roles such as blood clotting and vision. This material is highly relevant for the general science section of various government exams.

Vitamin sources and functionsMacronutrients for energyBlood coagulation vitaminsDeficiency diseasesNutrient absorption mechanisms

Vitamins and Nutrition Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a vitamin?

  1. Biotin

  2. Tochopherol

  3. Niacin

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

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by thyroid gland, which helps in construction of bone and reduction of blood Ca2+.

Multiple choice

Which of the following food items is a rich source of vitamin C?

  1. Potato

  2. Orange

  3. Spinach

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

Oranges and other citrus fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), containing approximately 50-60mg per 100g serving. While potatoes, spinach, and carrots contain some vitamin C, their concentrations are significantly lower. Citrus fruits are renowned for their high vitamin C content.

Multiple choice

Which of the following vitamins can be formed in the skin under action of sunshine?

  1. Vitamin D

  2. Vitamin B12

  3. Vitamin A

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

Vitamin D is uniquely synthesized in human skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol reacts with UVB radiation from sunlight, forming previtamin D3 which then converts to active vitamin D. No other vitamin is produced in this manner - vitamins A, B12, and C must be obtained from dietary sources.

Multiple choice

Which of the following functions is performed by vitamin K?

  1. Reproduction

  2. Blood clotting

  3. Carbohydrate metabolism

  4. Amino acids metabolism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver, including prothrombin and factors II, VII, IX and X. Without adequate vitamin K, blood cannot clot properly, leading to excessive bleeding. Reproduction is controlled by hormones, while carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism involve different vitamin complexes.

Multiple choice

Which of the following acids is a vitamin?

  1. Aspartic acid

  2. Acetic acid

  3. Saccharic acid

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

Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with anti-oxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form (vitamer) of Vitamin C.

Multiple choice

Why are micronutrients essential for our body?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

  1. They perform a number of functions in our body.

  2. They help to regulate the excretory system.

  3. Human beings depend on these for their survival.

  4. They help us in our day to day performance.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body'. This is the correct option.

Multiple choice

What is the other name for vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

  1. The other name for these is according to their initials such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.

  2. The other name for these is 'micronutrients'.

  3. The other name for these is 'organic compounds'.

  4. The other name for these is 'inorganic compounds'.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients.

Multiple choice

Why it is not easy to meet the vitamin requirement of our body?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

  1. They are not to be found in most of the food stuffs.

  2. It is not easy to meet the vitamin requirement of our body because they have a short shelf life and are destroyed by exposure to heat and air.

  3. They are not easily absorbed by the body.

  4. They cannot be synthesized in the laboratory.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds'. This the correct option.

Multiple choice

Which word in the passage means 'easy to damage or break'?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

  1. Exposure

  2. Immune

  3. Inactivate

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

The word 'fragile' means easy to damage or break. This is the correct option.

Multiple choice

Why are vitamins and minerals also called micronutrients?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

  1. They are so called because our body needs only traces of these.

  2. They are so called because they microscopic in size.

  3. They are so called because they can be seen only with the help of a microscope.

  4. They are so called because they are easily damaged.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them'. This is the correct option.

Multiple choice

From nutritional point of view, our food must contain

  1. proteins

  2. vitamins and minerals

  3. carbohydrates and fats

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

A nutritionally adequate diet requires all major nutrient groups: proteins for tissue building and repair, vitamins and minerals for metabolic functions, and carbohydrates and fats for energy. No single nutrient group can fulfill all dietary needs.