General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations
General Science Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations. These questions are part of GKToday’s 35000+ MCQs Bank Course in GKToday Android App
1. Which of the following celestial bodies contains abundant quantities of helium3 as a potential source of energy?
[A] Moon
[B] Earth
[C] Sun
[D] Mars
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Moon]
Notes:
The Moon has been bombarded with large quantities of Helium-3 by the solar wind. It is thought that this isotope could provide safer nuclear energy in a fusion reactor, since it is not radioactive and would not produce dangerous waste products.
2. Sleeping sickness disease spreads due to which of the following insect?
[A] Bedbugs
[B] Tsetse fly
[C] Louse
[D] Sand fly
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tsetse fly]
Notes:
African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a disease spread by an infected tsetse fly, found in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa.The vast majority of human cases result from the transfer of T. brucei trypanosomes by tsetse flies as they suck human blood. Sleeping sickness is caused by two different parasites, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense.
3. Consider the following statements about how plants absorb nitrogen:
- Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of inorganic nitrates or nitrites.
- Plants take in nitrogen in the form of organic compounds.
- Nitrogen is directly taken up by the plants from the atmosphere.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
Plants obtain nitrogen through their roots. In the soil, nitrifying bacteria change ammonia into nitrite (NO2 –) and then into nitrate (NO3 –), this process is known as nitrification. Furthermore, plants also absorb nitrogen in an organic form. Several organic compounds (compounds containing carbon) constitute the organic fraction of nitrogen in the soil. The organic matter in the soil exists as decomposing plant and animal residues, relatively stable decomposition-resistant compounds, and humus. The abundance of various forms of nitrogen can be altered by plant roots through the change in pH and secretion of organic compounds or oxygen.
4. In the context of agriculture, the term barani refers to ____:
[A] Rain-fed farming
[B] Irrigated farming
[C] Mixed farming
[D] Dry farming
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rain-fed farming]
Notes:
Barani area are traditionally rain-fed areas. These are any low rain area where the rain-fed dry farming is practiced. Bagar tract, the dry sandy tract of land on the border of Rajasthan state adjoining the states of Haryana and Punjab, is an example of Barani land.
5. The strongest muscle (based on its weight) of the body is the masseter muscle and is located in the ___:
[A] Hand
[B] Jaw
[C] Thigh
[D] Chest
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jaw]
Notes:
The masseter is located in the jaw and is one of the muscles of mastication or chewing. ? The bite strength of an average man is between 117 to 265 pounds. ? This ability to exert a force on an external object is an example of absolute strength.
6. Meibomian glands are located in ____:
[A] Eye
[B] Ear
[C] Nose
[D] Skin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Eye]
Notes:
Meibomian glands are the tiny oil glands which line the margin of the eyelids (the edges which touch when the eyelids are closed). These glands secrete oil which coats the surface of our eyes and keeps the water component of our tears away from evaporating (drying out). Together, the water and the oil layer make up the tear film.
7. Which part of the brain is responsible for triggering actions like thinking, intelligence, memory and ability to learn?
[A] Control
[B] Cerebrum
[C] Hypothalamus
[D] Diencephalon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cerebrum]
Notes:
The cerebrum or cortex is the largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as thought and action. Functions of the cerebrum include: initiation of movement, coordination of movement, temperature, touch, vision, hearing, judgment, reasoning, problem solving, emotions, and learning.
8. Night Blindness is caused by the deficiency of Vitamin ___:
[A] Vitamin A
[B] Vitamin C
[C] Vitamin K
[D] Vitamin B12
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vitamin A]
Notes:
Night blindness, also called nyctalopia, is failure of the eye to adapt promptly from light to darkness that is characterized by a reduced ability to see in dim light or at night. It occurs as a symptom of numerous congenital and inherited retinal diseases or as a result of vitamin A deficiency.
9. In a food chain, the solar energy utilized by plants is only ____:
[A] 10 per cent
[B] 1 per cent
[C] 0.1 per cent
[D] 0.01 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [0.1 per cent]
Notes:
Plants, on average, capture only about 0.1 0.4 percent of the solar energy reaching Earth. However, it does not mean that the rest is a “vast untapped reservoir” awaiting man’s exploitation. All biological systems, including crops, follow the second law of thermodynamics when solar energy (a high-energy form) is converted into chemical energy. Plants utilize this chemical energy in the process of building their own tissue.
10. The bark of willow tree is a source of which medicine?
[A] Paracetamol
[B] Aspirin
[C] Antiseptic
[D] Antacid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aspirin]
Notes:
The bark of the common Willow tree is the source of a wide range of phenolic glycosides, of which the most important is salicin. Salicin is metabolized into salicylic acid in the human body, and is a precursor of aspirin. It is used as a fever reducer, a mild pain reliever, and an anti-inflammatory.
