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 71–80 of 151 questions
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q71. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
Vitamin
Rich Dietary Source
A. Vitamin A
i. Citrus fruits (e.g., Amla)
B. Vitamin C
ii. Green leafy vegetables (e.g., Spinach)
C. Vitamin E
iii. Carrots and Papaya
D. Vitamin K
iv. Vegetable oils and Nuts
Explanation
Carrots and papaya are excellent sources of Vitamin A, which is essential for vision and skin health. Citrus fruits like amla are exceptionally rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin E is found in high concentrations in vegetable oils and nuts, serving as an antioxidant. Green leafy vegetables like spinach are major dietary sources of Vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q72. The hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels and is defective or deficient in diabetes, is produced by:
Explanation
Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood by facilitating its entry into cells for energy. It is specifically produced and secreted by the beta cells located within the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. A lack of insulin production or a decreased response to it leads to diabetes, resulting in high blood sugar levels and metabolic imbalances.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q73. Which mental health disorder is characterized by alternating periods of deep depression and extreme elation or mania?
Explanation
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant and often extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. These shifts include periods of mania, marked by high energy and elation, and episodes of depression, involving deep sadness and hopelessness. It is a chronic condition that requires long-term management, often through a combination of medication and specialized psychological therapy and support.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q74. Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) aim to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC), which includes:
Explanation
Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres are designed to provide a comprehensive range of primary healthcare services that go beyond maternal and child health. This includes the management of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as oral and mental health services. By providing these diverse services locally, the centers aim to ensure holistic care for the entire community.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q75. Which class of fats constitutes the majority of dietary lipids and body fat stores?
Explanation
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat found in the human diet and the body’s primary form of energy storage. They consist of a glycerol molecule linked to three fatty acid chains. When we consume more calories than we need, the body converts the excess into triglycerides and stores them in adipose tissue, where they serve as a long-term energy reserve.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q76. Which of the following vitamins is water-soluble and lost easily during the washing of cut vegetables?
Explanation
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves easily in water. When vegetables are cut and then washed or soaked, a significant amount of Vitamin C can leach out into the water and be lost. To preserve the nutritional content of food, it is generally recommended to wash vegetables before cutting them and to use cooking methods like steaming that minimize water contact.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q77. Consider the following statements regarding essential minerals: I. Zinc is crucial for immune function and wound healing. II. Phosphorus and calcium work together to build strong bones and teeth. III. Magnesium plays a role in muscle and nerve function. IV. Sodium is mainly an intracellular electrolyte. V. Potassium helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are all essential minerals for various bodily functions, including immunity, bone health, and nerve signaling. Potassium is also crucial for fluid balance and blood pressure regulation. However, sodium is primarily an extracellular electrolyte, meaning it is found in higher concentrations in the fluid outside the cells, whereas potassium is the main electrolyte found inside cells.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q78. The absorption of dietary iron is significantly enhanced by the concurrent consumption of which vitamin?
Explanation
Vitamin C significantly improves the absorption of non-heme iron, which is the type of iron found in plant-based foods like spinach and beans. It works by converting the iron into a more soluble form that the body can easily absorb in the small intestine. Therefore, consuming Vitamin C-rich foods alongside iron-rich meals is an effective strategy for preventing and managing iron deficiency anaemia.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q79. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) refers to the energy expended by the body:
Explanation
Basal Metabolic Rate is the minimum amount of energy required to keep the body functioning while it is at a complete state of rest. This energy is used for vital processes such as breathing, blood circulation, cell production, and maintaining body temperature. BMR accounts for the largest portion of a person’s total daily energy expenditure and is influenced by factors like age, muscle mass, and gender.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
Q80. The term "Hidden Hunger" refers to a deficiency in:
Explanation
Hidden hunger occurs when a person’s diet lacks essential micronutrients, even if they are consuming enough calories to feel full. Because the symptoms of these deficiencies are not always immediately visible, they often go unnoticed for long periods. However, chronic micronutrient deficiencies can have severe long-term consequences, including impaired growth, a weakened immune system, and reduced cognitive development in children and adults.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
71
(a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii
72
(a) Beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans
73
(c) Bipolar Disorder
74
(d) Expanded services including NCDs and oral health
75
(c) Triglycerides
76
(b) Vitamin C
77
(a) I, II, III and V only
78
(a) Vitamin C
79
(c) Maintaining vital functions while body is at rest
80
(a) Micronutrients like vitamins and minerals
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.
