General Science & Technology – Health, Nutrition, and Diseases
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) – Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: General Science & Technology
Sub-Topic: Health, Nutrition, and Diseases
Health, Nutrition, and Diseases – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is:
A. Absence of disease
B. Physical fitness only
C. Complete physical, mental and social well-being
D. Ability to work
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely absence of disease.
Q2. A balanced diet means a diet that:
A. Contains only carbohydrates
B. Is rich in proteins only
C. Contains all nutrients in proper proportions
D. Has low calories
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A balanced diet supplies carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and fibre in right amounts.
Q3. Which nutrient is the primary source of energy?
A. Proteins
B. Vitamins
C. Carbohydrates
D. Minerals
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Carbohydrates are the main energy-giving nutrients.
Q4. Proteins are mainly required for:
A. Energy production
B. Growth and tissue repair
C. Vision
D. Immunity only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Proteins help in body building, growth, and repair of tissues.
Q5. Which vitamin deficiency causes night blindness?
A. Vitamin B₁
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Vitamin A is essential for normal vision, especially in low light.
Q6. Scurvy is caused by deficiency of:
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B₁₂
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Lack of Vitamin C leads to bleeding gums and poor wound healing.
Q7. Rickets in children is caused by deficiency of:
A. Calcium only
B. Vitamin D
C. Iron
D. Protein
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Vitamin D deficiency leads to soft and weak bones in children.
Q8. Anaemia is mainly caused due to deficiency of:
A. Calcium
B. Iodine
C. Iron
D. Zinc
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Iron deficiency reduces haemoglobin, causing anaemia.
Q9. Which mineral is essential for thyroid hormone production?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Iodine
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Iodine is required for thyroxine hormone synthesis.
Q10. Which nutrient helps in maintaining healthy bones and teeth?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Chlorine
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Calcium provides strength to bones and teeth.
Q11. Malnutrition refers to:
A. Overeating only
B. Under-nutrition only
C. Imbalance of nutrients in diet
D. Obesity only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Malnutrition includes undernutrition, overnutrition, and nutrient imbalance.
Q12. Obesity is mainly caused by:
A. Protein deficiency
B. Excess calorie intake and low physical activity
C. Vitamin deficiency
D. Mineral imbalance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Excess calories combined with sedentary lifestyle lead to obesity.
Q13. Communicable diseases are those which:
A. Are hereditary
B. Spread from person to person
C. Occur due to deficiency
D. Affect mental health only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Communicable diseases spread through air, water, food, or contact.
Q14. Which of the following is a communicable disease?
A. Diabetes
B. Cancer
C. Tuberculosis
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Tuberculosis spreads through airborne droplets.
Q15. Malaria is caused by:
A. Virus
B. Bacteria
C. Protozoa
D. Fungus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium protozoa, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito.
Q16. Dengue is transmitted by:
A. Anopheles mosquito
B. Culex mosquito
C. Aedes mosquito
D. Sandfly
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Dengue spreads through Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Q17. Which disease is caused by a virus?
A. Typhoid
B. Cholera
C. Influenza
D. Tuberculosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Influenza is a viral disease affecting the respiratory system.
Q18. Antibiotics are effective against:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi only
D. All microorganisms
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Antibiotics kill or inhibit bacterial infections, not viruses.
Q19. Vaccination helps in:
A. Curing diseases instantly
B. Providing immunity
C. Killing all microbes
D. Improving digestion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop protection against specific diseases.
Q20. Polio primarily affects:
A. Digestive system
B. Nervous system
C. Circulatory system
D. Respiratory system
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Polio virus damages motor neurons, causing paralysis.
Q21. Diabetes is a disorder related to:
A. Liver
B. Pancreas
C. Kidney
D. Thyroid
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Diabetes occurs due to insufficient insulin production or action.
Q22. Hypertension refers to:
A. Low blood sugar
B. High blood pressure
C. Low heart rate
D. High cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Hypertension means persistently elevated blood pressure.
Q23. Which lifestyle change helps prevent non-communicable diseases?
A. Smoking
B. Physical inactivity
C. Balanced diet and exercise
D. Excess salt intake
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Healthy diet and regular exercise reduce risk of lifestyle diseases.
Q24. AIDS is caused by:
A. Bacteria
B. Virus
C. Fungus
D. Protozoa
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
AIDS is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Q25. Which organ is mainly affected by hepatitis?
A. Kidney
B. Lung
C. Liver
D. Heart
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, often viral in origin.
Q26. Deficiency of iodine causes:
A. Anaemia
B. Goitre
C. Rickets
D. Beriberi
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Iodine deficiency enlarges thyroid gland, causing goitre.
Q27. Which nutrient helps in boosting immunity?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin K
C. Sodium
D. Starch
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Vitamin C enhances immune response and wound healing.
Q28. Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to assess:
A. Height
B. Weight
C. Obesity and nutritional status
D. Muscle strength
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
BMI relates weight to height to assess underweight, normal, or obesity.
Q29. Which disease is caused due to contaminated water?
A. Malaria
B. Typhoid
C. Dengue
D. Tuberculosis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Typhoid spreads through unsafe water and food.
Q30. The most effective way to maintain good health is:
A. Medicine only
B. Balanced diet, hygiene and healthy lifestyle
C. Avoiding all physical activity
D. High-calorie intake
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Good health depends on nutrition, hygiene, exercise, and disease prevention.
✅ APSC Prelims Smart Tip
For Health, Nutrition & Diseases, focus on:
- Vitamin & mineral deficiencies
- Communicable vs non-communicable diseases
- Causes, prevention, and control
- Lifestyle diseases & immunity
- Basic public health concepts
-
Health and nutrition MCQs APSC
-
Vitamin deficiency diseases MCQs
-
Communicable diseases prelims questions
-
Lifestyle diseases science MCQs
-
Public health basics APSC
-
General science health GS Paper I
-
Nutrition and immunity MCQs