Q161. Organisms that synthesize their own food from simple inorganic substances using light or chemical energy are called:
Basics of Everyday Science: RAS Prelims MCQs
200 RAS Prelims MCQs on the basics of everyday science test the scientific method, the laws of motion, chemical bonding and the cell theory. The questions use daily-life examples, such as the recoil of a gun and the orbit of a satellite, and the explanations give the principle behind each example so that you can reason out similar questions.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 161–170 of 200 questions
Q162. Human beings ingest complex solid organic food which is then digested and absorbed. This type of nutrition is termed:
Explanation
Human beings exhibit holozoic nutrition, a complex process that involves several distinct stages. First, solid or liquid organic food is ingested. This is followed by digestion, where complex molecules are broken down into simpler ones. These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream and assimilated by the cells for energy and growth. Finally, the undigested waste material is eliminated.
Q163. Cuscuta (Amarbel) is an example of which type of plant nutrition?
Explanation
Cuscuta, commonly known as dodder or Amarbel, is a non-green plant that cannot perform photosynthesis because it lacks chlorophyll. Instead, it exhibits parasitic nutrition by climbing onto a host plant and using specialized root-like structures called haustoria to penetrate the host’s tissues. It directly absorbs ready-made food and water from the host, often weakening or damaging the supporting plant.
Q164. Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The inner lining of the human stomach is protected from the action of hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Reason (R): The stomach secretes mucus that coats the inner lining, preventing acid damage.
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The inner lining of the human stomach is protected from the action of hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Reason (R): The stomach secretes mucus that coats the inner lining, preventing acid damage.
Explanation
The stomach produces highly concentrated hydrochloric acid to assist in digestion and kill bacteria. To prevent this strong acid from digesting the stomach’s own muscular walls, specialized cells secrete a thick layer of mucus. This mucus acts as a protective barrier, neutralizing the acid near the surface and preventing ulcers or chemical damage to the sensitive inner lining of the organ.
Q165. The primary role of bile juice in digestion is to:
Explanation
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Its primary function in the small intestine is the emulsification of fats. Bile salts break down large, insoluble fat globules into many smaller droplets called micelles. This significantly increases the surface area available for lipase enzymes to act upon, facilitating the efficient chemical digestion and subsequent absorption of lipids.
Q166. Finger-like projections in the small intestine that significantly increase the surface area for absorption are known as:
Explanation
Villi are numerous small, finger-like projections that line the inner surface of the small intestine. Their primary purpose is to dramatically increase the surface area available for the absorption of digested food. Each villus contains a network of blood capillaries and a specialized lymph vessel called a lacteal, which work together to transport absorbed nutrients efficiently from the digestive tract.
Q167. Which of the following vitamins is water-soluble and must be consumed regularly in the diet?
Explanation
Vitamins are classified into two groups based on their solubility. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and can be stored in the body’s tissues. In contrast, Vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins are water-soluble. Because they are not stored in significant amounts and are easily excreted, they must be consumed regularly in the daily diet to maintain health.
Q168. A diet deficient in Vitamin A is most likely to cause which of the following conditions?
Explanation
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions, as it is a critical component of the pigment rhodopsin found in the retina. A chronic deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to night blindness, where an individual has difficulty seeing in the dark. If left untreated, severe deficiency can progress to permanent eye damage and even total blindness.
Q169. Kwashiorkor, a form of severe malnutrition, is primarily caused by a deficiency of:
Explanation
Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition caused by a diet that is critically deficient in proteins, even if the total caloric intake from carbohydrates is sufficient. It is most commonly seen in children in developing regions. Characteristic symptoms include a bloated abdomen, thinning hair, and swelling of the limbs, resulting from fluid imbalance and the body’s inability to maintain tissues properly.
Q170. Match the vitamins and minerals in List I with their corresponding deficiency diseases in List II.
| Vitamin | Deficiency Disease |
|---|---|
| A. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | i. Scurvy |
| B. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | ii. Anemia |
| C. Vitamin D (Calciferol) | iii. Rickets |
| D. Iron (Mineral) | iv. Beriberi |
Explanation
Specific nutrient deficiencies lead to well-known diseases. A lack of Vitamin B1 causes Beriberi, affecting the nervous system. Vitamin C deficiency results in Scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums and poor wound healing. Vitamin D is necessary for bone health; its absence leads to Rickets. Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, and its deficiency results in anemia, causing fatigue.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 161 | (b) Autotrophs |
| 162 | (a) Holozoic |
| 163 | (c) Parasitic |
| 164 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 165 | (c) Emulsify large fat globules into smaller micelles |
| 166 | (b) Villi |
| 167 | (d) Vitamin C |
| 168 | (a) Night blindness |
| 169 | (c) Proteins |
| 170 | (a) A-iv, B-i, C-iii, D-ii |
Key facts from Basics of Everyday Science
- Inductive reasoning draws a general conclusion from specific observations; a control variable is kept constant in an experiment; communicating the results is the last step of the scientific method.
- Newton’s second law relates force, mass and acceleration; the recoil of a gun illustrates the third law.
- Momentum is the product of mass and velocity; impulse is equal to the change in momentum.
- A satellite in uniform circular orbit is held by the centripetal force provided by gravity.
- Water (H₂O) and N₂ show covalent bonding; sodium chloride, MgO and CaF₂ are ionic.
- The classical cell theory does not say that all cells have a true nucleus.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Basics of Everyday Science?
This page has 200 practice MCQs on Basics of Everyday Science (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is the product of mass and velocity called?
Momentum. Newton’s second law says that the rate of change of momentum is equal to the force applied, and impulse is equal to the change in momentum of a body.
Which law explains the recoil of a gun?
Newton’s third law of motion. The gun pushes the bullet forward, and the bullet pushes the gun back with an equal and opposite force, which is felt as recoil.
What holds a satellite in a circular orbit?
The centripetal force provided by gravity. The Earth’s pull keeps changing the direction of the satellite’s velocity so that it moves in a circle and does not fly off in a straight line.