Q101. Chalk powder is a common adulterant added to sugar or salt. Its presence can be chemically detected by dissolving the sample in water and adding a few drops of:
Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes: RAS Prelims MCQs
151 RAS Prelims MCQs on human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes test nutrients, vitamins, deficiency diseases and government programmes. Carbohydrates, vitamin names, iron and anaemia, overnutrition, adulteration and epidemic dropsy, the role of an ASHA worker and the aims of Poshan Abhiyan are asked as facts and effects.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 101–110 of 151 questions
Q102. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): Vaccination is a method of acquiring passive immunity.
Reason (R): Vaccines contain pre-formed antibodies that immediately neutralize pathogens.
Assertion (A): Vaccination is a method of acquiring passive immunity.
Reason (R): Vaccines contain pre-formed antibodies that immediately neutralize pathogens.
Explanation
Vaccination is a method of acquiring active immunity, not passive immunity. It works by introducing a harmless antigen into the body, which then stimulates the person’s own immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells. Passive immunity, conversely, involve the direct transfer of pre-formed antibodies from another source. Therefore, vaccines do not contain pre-formed antibodies but rather trigger the body’s natural defense mechanism.
Q103. According to food packaging and labeling regulations in India, the nutritional information per 100g/100ml must mandatorily include all EXCEPT:
Explanation
Food packaging regulations in India mandate that labels provide essential nutritional information to help consumers make informed choices. This includes the total energy value, protein content, and levels of carbohydrates and sugars. However, the specific geographic coordinates of the farm where the ingredients were grown are not a mandatory requirement for nutritional labeling, although the name and address of the manufacturer must be provided.
Q104. The process by which white blood cells engulf and destroy invading bacteria is termed:
Explanation
Phagocytosis is a critical process in innate immunity where specialized white blood cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, identify and ingest foreign particles like bacteria or dead cells. After engulfing the pathogen into a vesicle, the cell uses digestive enzymes to break it down and neutralize the threat. this fundamental mechanism protects the body from infection and helps clear away cellular debris during the healing process.
Q105. Consider the following statements about communicable diseases:
I. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted viral disease.
II. Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and body fluids.
III. Tetanus is caused by a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium.
IV. Influenza is caused by a virus.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted viral disease.
II. Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and body fluids.
III. Tetanus is caused by a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium.
IV. Influenza is caused by a virus.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Hepatitis B is a viral infection transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids, and tetanus is caused by a neurotoxin from the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Influenza is another common viral disease. However, syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium, not a virus. Recognizing the specific type of pathogen is essential for effective disease prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management.
Q106. Which of the following symptoms is highly characteristic of Dengue fever?
Explanation
Dengue fever is often referred to as "breakbone fever" because of the intense and debilitating joint and muscle pain it causes. This symptom, along with high fever, severe headache, and a characteristic skin rash, is highly typical of the infection. While most cases are self-limiting, some can progress to more severe forms, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever, requiring urgent medical care and monitoring.
Q107. Tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs. When TB bacilli spread to organs other than the lungs, it is termed:
Explanation
While tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs, the bacteria can spread through the blood or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. When the disease occurs in organs like the lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, or brain, it is termed extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This form of the disease is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems and may require different diagnostic approaches than pulmonary tuberculosis.
Q108. The female Anopheles mosquito requires a human blood meal primarily to:
Explanation
Female Anopheles mosquitoes require a human or animal blood meal to obtain the necessary proteins and nutrients for the development and maturation of their eggs. Male mosquitoes, on the other hand, do not bite and instead feed primarily on plant nectar for energy. This biological requirement for blood by the female is what makes her the vector for transmitting the malaria parasite between human hosts.
Q109. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
| Mineral | Key Function/Deficiency effect |
|---|---|
| A. Iron | i. Synthesis of thyroid hormones |
| B. Calcium | ii. Formation of haemoglobin |
| C. Iodine | iii. Normal immune function and wound healing |
| D. Zinc | iv. Bone and teeth formation |
Explanation
Iron is essential for the formation of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood. Calcium is vital for the structural integrity of bones and teeth. Iodine is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism. Zinc plays a crucial role in normal immune function and wound healing. Each of these minerals is indispensable for maintaining various physiological processes and overall health.
Q110. The primary cause of Type 2 Diabetes is generally attributed to:
Explanation
Type 2 diabetes is primarily characterized by insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. To compensate, the pancreas initially produces more insulin, but over time, it may not be able to produce enough to maintain normal blood sugar levels. This leads to a relative insulin deficiency and elevated blood glucose, which can cause serious health complications if left unmanaged.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 101 | (b) Hydrochloric acid (HCl) |
| 102 | (d) Both A and R are false. |
| 103 | (a) Geographic coordinates of the farm |
| 104 | (d) Phagocytosis |
| 105 | (b) II, III and IV only |
| 106 | (b) Severe joint and muscle pain (breakbone fever) |
| 107 | (d) Extrapulmonary TB |
| 108 | (a) Nourish her developing eggs |
| 109 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 110 | (a) Insulin resistance with relative deficiency |
Key facts from Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
- Carbohydrates are the main source of immediate energy; overnutrition leads to obesity.
- Vitamin C is ascorbic acid; tocopherol (vitamin E) is not part of the Vitamin B complex.
- Iron deficiency most directly leads to anaemia, and anaemia among pregnant women raises the maternal mortality rate.
- The Recommended Dietary Allowance is the daily intake level sufficient for most healthy people.
- Argemone oil in edible mustard oil causes epidemic dropsy.
- An ASHA worker links the community with the public health system under the National Health Mission; Poshan Abhiyan targets stunting, under-nutrition and anaemia.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes?
This page has 151 practice MCQs on Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which condition does iron deficiency cause?
Anaemia, a low level of haemoglobin in the blood. It causes weakness and tiredness, and in pregnant women it raises the risk to both mother and child, so iron and folic acid tablets are given under the public health programmes.
What causes epidemic dropsy?
Argemone oil mixed in edible mustard oil as an adulterant. The toxin it contains affects the body and causes swelling, so adulteration of mustard oil has led to outbreaks in India.
What is the role of an ASHA worker?
To link the community with the public health system under the National Health Mission. An ASHA, the Accredited Social Health Activist, is a village-level worker who guides women to institutional delivery and immunisation.