Tag: the s-block elements (alkali and alkaline earth metals)

Questions Related to the s-block elements (alkali and alkaline earth metals)

Potassium hydroxide is a good conductor of an electric current in the:

  1. gaseous state only

  2. molten (fused) state only

  3. solid state only

  4. solid and molten (fused) states

  5. molten (fused) state and in aqueous solution


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Option $(E)$ is correct.

Potassium hydroxide is a good conductor of an electric current in the molten (fused) state and in aqueous solution. When it is in solid state it cannot conduct electricity but it can conduct electricity in aqueous solution state or molten state. This is because it is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are made of charged ions which are held tightly in solid state but become mobile in molten or aqueous solution state. The movement of these mobile ions between electrodes helps in conducting electricity.

A severe shortage of what in body fluids, may cause a potentially fatal condition known as hypokalemia?

  1. Sodium

  2. Potassium

  3. Iron

  4. Silicon


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Hypokalemia is when blood's potassium levels are too low. Potassium is an important electrolyte for nerve and muscle cell functioning, especially for muscle cells in the heart. Your kidneys control your body's potassium levels, allowing for excess potassium to leave the body through urine or sweat.

Which element has high concentration in plants, as compared to sodium?

  1. Potassium

  2. Calcium

  3. Silicon

  4. none


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Plants need a small amount but high concentration of K for specific functions in the cytoplasmand a major portion (∼90%) of it is localized in vacuoles, where it acts as an osmoticum. Maintenance can be achieved by other cation like sodium too .

What happens when too much of sodium is in your diet?

  1. Cancer

  2. Damage Nerve Function

  3. Risk factor for heart disease

  4. Digestion


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

As sodium accumulates, the body holds onto water to dilute the sodium. This increases both the amount of fluid surrounding cells and the volume of blood in the bloodstream. Increased blood volume means more work for the heart and more pressure on blood vessels. Over time, the extra work and pressure can stiffen blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. It can also lead to heart failure.


Thus, too much sodium in our diet increases the risk factor for heart related diseases.

What is used in synthesis of chlorophyll In C4 plants?

  1. Sodium

  2. Iron

  3. Potassium

  4. Aluminium


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In C4 plants, sodium is a micronutrient that aids in metabolism, specifically in regeneration of phosphoenolpyruvate (involved in the biosynthesis of various aromatic compounds, and in carbon fixation) and synthesis of chlorophyll.

What is minimum requirement (in milligram) of potassium per day for adult?

  1. 4700

  2. 14700

  3. 20000

  4. 30000


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The minimum requirement of potassium per day for an adult is $4700\ mg$.


Potassium is very important in cellular biochemical reactions and energy metabolism.

Along with sodium, it regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in the blood and tissues.

Thus, potassium is a very important mineral for our body.

Which of the following ions participate in transmission of nerve signals?

  1. Sodium

  2. Potassium

  3. Magnesium

  4. Iron


Correct Option: A,B
Explanation:

Option $(A),\ (B)$ are correct.

Sodium and potassium ions participate in the transmission of nerve signals. It is done by sodium/potassium pump.The membrane of an unstimulated neuron is polarized.Polarization is established by maintaining an excess of sodium ions on the outside and an excess of potassium ions on the inside. A certain amount of $Na^{ +}$ and $K^{+}$ is always leaking across the membrane through leakage channels, but $Na^{ +}/K^{ +}$ pumps in the membrane actively restore the ions to the appropriate side.

Sodium ions helps in:

  1. transmission of nerve signals

  2. transport of sugar and amino acids into cells

  3. activation of different enzymes

  4. oxidation of glucose to produce ATP


Correct Option: A,B
Explanation:

Option $(A),\ (B)$ are correct.

Sodium ions help in transmission of nerve signals by sodium/potassium pump.
Sodium ions also help in transport of sugar and amino acids into cells through indirect active transport via an extracellular medium.

A typical $70$ kg man constitutes $X$ kg of sodium and $Y$ kg of potassium?

  1. $x=90,\ y=70$

  2. $x=90,\ y=170$

  3. $x=70,\ y=90$

  4. $x=170,\ y=90$


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option $(B)$ is correct.

A typical 70 $kg$ man constitutes 90 $kg$ of sodium and  170 $kg$ of potassium.