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. Which of the following diseases has been eradicated worldwide?
[A] Smallpox
[B] Plague
[C] Chickenpox
[D] Dracunculiasis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Smallpox]
Notes:
Smallpox was one of the world’s most devastating diseases known to humanity. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. It was declared eradicated in 1980 following a global immunization campaign led by the World Health Organization. Smallpox is caused by infection with the variola virus.
3. The edible part of an onion is ____:
[A] Fleshy leaves
[B] Aerial stem
[C] Modified root
[D] Aerial flower
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fleshy leaves]
Notes:
The edible portion in an onion is swollen leaves with a bit of stem. They are bulbs which, like garlic and leeks, are modified stems in which the primary storage tissue is expanded leaf bases. They come in white, yellow, and red varieties. The swollen leaves have sugar as stored food in them.
4. Synapse gap is present between which of the following?
[A] Two Kidneys
[B] Two neurons
[C] Brain and Spinal Cord
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Two neurons]
Notes:
The gap between the two neurons is called the synapse. It is a structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. Synapses are essential to neuronal function : neurons are cells that are specialized to pass signals to individual target cells, and synapses are the means by which they do so.
5. What accumulates in the muscles after continuous strenuous physical exercise as a result of temporary anaerobic respiration that causes muscular fatigue?
[A] ATP
[B] Lactic acid
[C] Ethyl alcohol
[D] Carbon dioxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lactic acid]
Notes:
Anaerobic reactions involve break down of glucose into pyruvic acid, which then reacts to produce lactic acid. As muscle metabolism shifts from aerobic to anaerobic ATP production, lactic acid begins to accumulate in muscles and to appear in the bloodstream. This leads to muscle fatigue with changing pH of muscle cells. C6H12O6 —> 2C3H6O3 + 2ATP
6. Which among the following has open circulatory system?
I. Cockroach
II. Human
III. Prawn
[A] I and II
[B] I and III
[C] II and III
[D] Only III
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [I and III]
Notes:
Cockroach and prawns have open circulatory system in which the blood is not confined within blood vessels. The blood bathes the organs and tissues directly. Open circulatory systems pump blood into a hemocoel with the blood diffusing back to the circulatory system between cells. Blood is pumped by a heart into the body cavities, where tissues are surrounded by the blood. The open circulatory system is common to molluscs and arthropods.
7. Bile is produced by the ____:
[A] Liver
[B] Stomach
[C] Pancreas
[D] Duodenum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Liver]
Notes:
Bile or gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green to yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver aids in the process of digestion of lipids in the small intestine. In many species, bile is stored in the gall bladder and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum. Bile is a composition of the following materials: water (85%), bile salts (10%), mucus and pigments (3%), fats (1%), inorganic salts (0.7%) and cholesterol (0.3%).
8. The duration 19-21 days refers to ___:
[A] The period of menstrual cycle soon after menstruation, during which fertilisation is most likely to occur
[B] Incubation period of hens egg
[C] Average life-span of a red blood cell in humans
[D] Period of completion of one schizogony cycle of malarial parasite inside a red blood cell
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The period of menstrual cycle soon after menstruation, during which fertilisation is most likely to occur]
Notes:
In menstrual cycle 19-21 days stands for the fertilizing period also called danger period. After ovulation on 14th day chances of contraption are at their highest with well developed endometrium for implantation. This is the time in the menstrual cycle when progesterone should be at its peak for the month and when estrogen should be at the height of its luteal plateau.
9. Carolus Linnaeus System of classification is ____:
[A] Phylogenetic
[B] Binomial
[C] Natural
[D] Artificial
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Binomial]
Notes:
Swedish naturalist Carlous Linnaeus established the binomial system of naming living organisms, setting a format and a structured process for classifying the interrelationships between plants (among which he included all fungi), and between animals. The binomial system that Linnaeus devised enables an author to refer to a species confident that it will mean the same thing to informed readers anywhere else in the world.
10. Wings of birds are ____:
[A] Integumentary outgrowth
[B] New structure
[C] Modified hind limbs
[D] Modified fore limbs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Modified fore limbs]
Notes:
The wings are modified forelimbs of birds which are the key to bird flight. Each wing is composed of three limb bones, the humerus, ulna and radius. Wings are much bigger than our arms, but being made mostly of feathers and hollow bones makes them very light. Their shape uses the wind to make flying easier.