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 elements is present in heavy water?
[A] Heavy Oxygen
[B] Heavy Hydrogen
[C] Heavy Chlorine
[D] Heavy Nitrogen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Heavy Hydrogen ]
Notes:
Heavy water is water that contains heavy hydrogen or deuterium. Deuterium differs from the hydrogen usually found in water, protium, in that each atom of deuterium contains a proton and a neutron. Heavy water may be deuterium oxide, D2O or it may be deuterium protium oxide, DHO.
2. Chromosome designation of Turner sydrome is ____:
[A] 44A+XO
[B] 44A+XXX
[C] 44A+XXY
[D] 44A+XYY
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [44A+XO]
Notes:
Turner syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder characterized by partial or complete loss (monosomy) of one of the X chromosomes that affects females. Individuals with Turner syndrome have only 45 chromosomes, including just a single X chromosome. This monosomic has a chromosome complement of 44 autosomes and one X chromosome (44+XO). The abnormal condition probably originates from exceptional egg or sperm with no X chromosome.
3. What is thick vein present in the middle of the leaf called?
[A] Leaf venation
[B] Parallel venation
[C] Midrib
[D] Reticulate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Midrib]
Notes:
A thick vein seen in the middle of the leaf is called the midrib. Pinnately veined leaves have one large central vein, called the midrib, which extends from the base of the blade to its tip. Other large veins branch off on each side of the midrib. The leaves of beech, birch, and elm trees have such a vein pattern.
4. Which word is common in the botanical names of trees like Ashoka, Tamarind or Coral?
[A] Terminalia
[B] Indica
[C] Salix
[D] Acacia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indica]
Notes:
Tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica), Ashoka tree (Saraca Indica), Indian Coral tree (Erythrina Indica) have ‘Indica’ common in their botanical names. In biology/taxonomy, if a species originates in India, its scientific name sometimes includes “Indica”.
5. Cuscuta is a ____:
[A] Complete stem parasite
[B] Partial root parasite
[C] Partial stem parasite
[D] Complete root parasite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Complete stem parasite]
Notes:
Cuscuta (Dodder) is a genus of about 100-170 species of yellow, orange or red (rarely green) parasitic plants. Dodders are supremely adapted for a life of plunder and pillage. Reduced in form to scrambling and twining threads, they appear to be completely leafless, although closer inspection reveals tiny scale leaves pressed close to the stems. So, it is a stem parasite.
6. Fat present below the skin surface in our body acts as a barrier against ____:
[A] Loss of heat from the body
[B] Loss of salt from the body
[C] Loss of essential body fluids
[D] Entry of harmful micro-organisms from the environment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Loss of heat from the body]
Notes:
A layer of body fat acts as an insulator and traps heat. The subcutis is the deepest layer of skin. The subcutis, consisting of a network of collagen and fat cells, helps conserve the body’s heat and protects the body from injury by acting as a “shock absorber.
7. Consider the following hormones:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
Which of the above is/are classified as female hormones?
[A] (i) and (iii)
[B] (i) and (ii)
[C] (ii) and (iii)
[D] Only (iii)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [(i) and (ii)]
Notes:
There are several hormones in females which are naturally produced and secreted by the glands of the endocrine system. Among them, estrogen, and progesterone are secreted for the influence on a woman’s reproductive health and are termed as female sex hormones. Estrogen and progesterone are made by the ovaries.
8. Where does the cabbage store food?
[A] Leaves
[B] Root
[C] Stem
[D] Fruit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Leaves]
Notes:
Cabbages have no need to store food as they are seasonal plants and die after about 4 to 6 months. They do however produce food in the leaves of the plants and would utilize short-term storage (in the leaves) for simple metabolic processes.
9. What causes the mottling of the dental enamel?
[A] High levels of chlorine in water
[B] High levels of nitrate in the water
[C] High levels of fluorides in the water
[D] High levels of calcium in the water
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [High levels of fluorides in the water]
Notes:
The mottling of dental enamel is an extremely common disorder, characterized by hypomineralization of tooth enamel caused by ingestion of excessive fluoride during enamel formation. It is also known as dental fluorosis. Common causes of fluorosis include: fluoridated drinking water (particularly during infancy), ingestion of fluoride toothpaste, use of fluoride tablets, and consumption of processed foods made with fluoridated water.
10. The ____ helps in equalising the pressure on either sides of the eardrum:
[A] Malleus
[B] Incus
[C] Cochlear nerve
[D] Eustachian tube
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Eustachian tube]
Notes:
The eustachian tube is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. It controls the pressure within the middle ear, making it equal with the air pressure outside the body. The cochlear nerve is also known as the acoustic nerve. It transfers auditory information from the cochlea (auditory area of the inner ear) to the brain. The malleus transmits the sound vibrations from the eardrum to the incus, and then to the stapes.
