Q50. Which among A, B, D and E is a water-soluble vitamin group?
[Chhattisgarh PCS Prelims, 2011]
- (a) Vitamin A
- (b) Vitamin B
- (c) Vitamin D
- (d) Vitamin E
Answer: (b) Vitamin B
Explanation: B-complex vitamins dissolve in water, as does vitamin C. By contrast, vitamins A, D, E and K dissolve in fat and are absorbed alongside dietary lipids. Some B vitamins, especially B12, have appreciable bodily stores.
Q49. Which term names vitamin D among ascorbic acid, calciferol, folic acid and retinol?
[Chhattisgarh PCS Prelims, 2011]
- (a) Ascorbic acid
- (b) Calciferol
- (c) Folic acid
- (d) Retinol
Answer: (b) Calciferol
Explanation: Calciferol denotes vitamin D compounds, including ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate balance and contributes to bone mineralisation. Ascorbic acid is C, folate B9 and retinol A.
Q48. Which of the following is not normally synthesised by human cells as a complete nutrient?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2011]
- (a) Vitamin A
- (b) Proteins
- (c) Enzymes
- (d) Hormones
Answer: (a) Vitamin A
Explanation: Human tissues manufacture proteins, enzymes and numerous hormones from available precursors. They cannot make vitamin A de novo, so preformed vitamin A or provitamin A carotenoids must come from dietary sources for healthy vision and epithelial maintenance.
Q47. Assertion: avoiding green vegetables causes night blindness.
Reason: it causes vitamin A deficiency.
Which option reflects the strict logical status?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2011]
- (a) Both true and the reason explains
- (b) Both true but unrelated
- (c) Assertion true, reason false
- (d) Assertion false as inevitable, reason potentially true
Answer: (d) Assertion false as inevitable, reason potentially true
Explanation: Green leafy vegetables supply provitamin A carotenoids, yet other foods also provide vitamin A. Avoiding greens does not inevitably cause deficiency or night blindness. Poor vitamin A intake over time can, however, impair dark adaptation.
Q46. Match B12, haemoglobin, chlorophyll and chalcopyrite with cobalt (2), iron (4), magnesium (1) and copper (3).
[UPPSC PCS Mains, 2011]
- (a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
- (b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
- (c) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
- (d) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
Answer: (a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Explanation: Cobalamin has cobalt in its structure; haem contains iron; chlorophyll contains magnesium; and chalcopyrite contains copper along with iron and sulphur. These familiar associations test mineral chemistry alongside plant and human biology.
Q45. Which principal nutrient was identified by the paper as fuel for sustained higher-intensity exercise?
[Chhattisgarh PCS Prelims, 2011]
- (a) Fat
- (b) Protein
- (c) Carbohydrate
- (d) Vitamins
Answer: (c) Carbohydrate
Explanation: Carbohydrate is an important muscle fuel, particularly during prolonged high-intensity exertion because it can provide ATP rapidly. At lower intensities, fat oxidation contributes more strongly, so the predominant fuel depends on exercise duration and intensity.
Q44. Match B1, B2, B6 and B12 with thiamine (4), riboflavin (3), pyridoxine (5), cobalamin (1).
[UPPSC Government Inter College (GIC), 2010]
- (a) A-2, B-3, C-5, D-4
- (b) A-4, B-3, C-5, D-1
- (c) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
- (d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Answer: (b) A-4, B-3, C-5, D-1
Explanation: Thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and cobalamin are the names of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 respectively. Recognising these synonyms is useful when identifying deficiency syndromes and interpreting food-fortification labels.
Q43. Which one of vitamins A, C, D and E is soluble in water?
[Uttarakhand PCS Prelims, 2010]
- (a) Vitamin A
- (b) Vitamin C
- (c) Vitamin D
- (d) Vitamin E
Answer: (b) Vitamin C
Explanation: Ascorbic acid, vitamin C, is water-soluble and must be replenished through regular intake. Vitamins A, D and E are fat-soluble. Vitamin C is also involved in collagen synthesis and enhances absorption of non-haem dietary iron.
Q42. Which mineral is better absorbed from plant foods when taken with vitamin C?
[UPPSC UDA/LDA Special Mains, 2010]
- (a) Iron
- (b) Calcium
- (c) Iodine
- (d) Sodium
Answer: (a) Iron
Explanation: Ascorbic acid enhances non-haem iron absorption by helping keep it in a more soluble reduced form. Pairing pulses or leafy greens with citrus or other vitamin C foods can therefore improve the availability of dietary iron.
Q41. Which of the listed vitamins may be produced by human intestinal microbes?
[UPPSC UDA/LDA Special Mains, 2010]
- (a) Vitamin B12
- (b) Vitamin C
- (c) Vitamin K
- (d) Vitamin A
Answer: (c) Vitamin K
Explanation: Many intestinal microorganisms synthesise forms of vitamin K, which participates in blood-clotting chemistry. Some bacteria also make B vitamins, but microbial production does not necessarily mean significant absorption. The question’s expected single answer is vitamin K.
