Test: Nutrients - 1 - UPSC MCQ

Bitot spots are small, foamy, whitish patches that appear on the conjunctiva of the eye, signaling vitamin A deficiency. These spots result from the accumulation of keratin on the eye's surface due to the lack of vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision and supporting epithelial tissues. Recognizing Bitot spots can help identify early signs of vitamin A deficiency, prompting appropriate interventions like dietary supplementation and increased intake of vitamin A-rich foods to prevent further eye-related complications and support overall health.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the digestive tract and helps regulate their levels in the blood. This, in turn, supports bone health, as calcium and phosphorus are vital for bone formation and maintenance. Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin can produce it when exposed to sunlight, and it can also be obtained from certain foods and supplements.

Beriberi disease/disorder is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine.

Thiamine is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and for converting food into energy. A lack of thiamine can lead to various symptoms, including neurological issues, cardiovascular problems, and muscle weakness, which are characteristic of beriberi. It can occur in people with a diet lacking in thiamine, often seen in populations dependent on polished rice as their primary food source, where the outer bran layer containing thiamine has been removed during processing.

If Radha is having difficulty reading the blackboard, it could be a sign of visual impairment, which is often associated with a deficiency in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions, and is essential for the proper functioning of the retina. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin A, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and other colorful fruits and vegetables, can help improve eye health and alleviate visual issues caused by Vitamin A deficiency.

These foods are rich sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system and overall health. During the pandemic, consuming Vitamin C-rich foods can be beneficial in boosting the body's immune response and helping to fight off infections. Broccoli, strawberries, and lemon are all excellent sources of Vitamin C and can be included in a balanced diet to support overall well-being.

Plants are autotrophs, which means they produce their own food. They use the process of photosynthesis to transform water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide into oxygen, and simple sugars that the plant uses as fuel.

Dietary fiber does not provide nutrients to our body. Instead, it is a type of carbohydrate that our body cannot digest or absorb. It passes through the digestive system relatively intact, providing bulk and aiding in the movement of waste through the intestines. Although it does not provide nutrients, dietary fiber has several other essential benefits for our health, such as promoting bowel regularity, supporting gut health, and helping to manage cholesterol levels.

Mushrooms are an example of organisms that are saprophytic, meaning they obtain their nutrition from dead and decaying matter. They play an essential role in the ecosystem by decomposing organic material, breaking it down into simpler substances, and recycling nutrients back into the soil, which benefits other plants and organisms. Grass (a) and dogs (b) are not saprophytic, and Cuscuta or Amarbel (d) is a parasitic plant, which obtains its nutrition from other living plants and is not involved in the decomposition of dead matter.

Iron is a critical component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Anemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to transport oxygen effectively, which can result in fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms. Beetroot juice and spinach can be helpful in treating anemia as they are both good sources of iron, which is an essential nutrient for the production of red blood cells.
Hence, the correct answer is Beetroot juice and Spinach.

Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, is caused due to a deficiency of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, especially in low-light conditions. It plays a crucial role in the functioning of the retina, which is the light-sensitive part of the eye responsible for night vision. A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to impaired vision, particularly in dim light or darkness, and can manifest as night blindness. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin A or taking Vitamin A supplements can help prevent and treat night blindness.

Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, is the indigestible part of our diet essential for digestive health. It is abundant in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Roughage adds bulk to the stool, promotes regular bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports gut health. It cannot be fully digested, but its presence is crucial for overall digestive system well-being.

Anemia is caused by a deficiency of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an essential protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it to various tissues and organs in the body. In anemia, the body lacks an adequate number of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to a reduced ability to transport oxygen. This can result in symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath. Malaria, Rabies, and Cholera are caused by other factors and are not directly related to hemoglobin deficiency.

Each member of this group is rich in iron. Amla (Indian gooseberry), spinach, and jaggery (unrefined sugar) are all good sources of iron. Including these foods in the diet can help prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia, as they contribute to the body's iron intake and support overall health. Cabbage, Tomato, and other options mentioned in the other groups may have other nutritional benefits but are not as rich in iron as the options in group 1.

Anemia is caused by a shortage of iron. Iron is a crucial mineral that is essential for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. When the body lacks sufficient iron, it can't produce enough healthy red blood cells, leading to various types of anemia. Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath. Consuming iron-rich foods or iron supplements can help treat and prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

Your body needs vitamins and minerals because they help carry out metabolic reactions. Vitamins and minerals act as essential cofactors and coenzymes in various biochemical reactions that occur in the body. They play vital roles in supporting growth, development, and overall health by facilitating processes such as energy production, enzymatic reactions, immune function, and maintaining the structure and function of cells and tissues. While they do not provide energy themselves, they are crucial for the proper utilization of energy from macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.