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 makes the skin layer impervious to water?
[A] Melanin
[B] Collagen
[C] Keratin
[D] Chitin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Keratin]
Notes:
Keratin is a family of fibrous structural proteins involved in making up the outer layer of human skin. It is also the key structural component of hair and nails. Cells in the epidermis contain a structural matrix of keratin, which makes this outermost layer of the skin almost waterproof, and along with collagen and elastin, gives skin its strength. It also makes up fish scales and crustacean shells, bird feathers and beaks, animal horns and hooves.
2. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by ____:
[A] Fungus
[B] Protozoa
[C] Virus
[D] Bacteria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bacteria]
Notes:
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Leptospira. Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild such as headaches, muscle pains, and fevers; to severe with bleeding from the lungs or meningitis. If the infection causes the person to turn yellow, have kidney failure and bleeding, it is then known as Weil’s disease.
3. Filariasis is not transmitted by ____:
[A] Anopheles mosquito
[B] Aedes mosquito
[C] Culex mosquito
[D] Swamp mosquito
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Swamp mosquito]
Notes:
Most cases of filariasis are caused by the parasite known as Wuchereria bancrofti. A wide range of mosquitoes can transmit this parasite, depending on the geographic area. In Africa, the most common vector is Anopheles while in the Americas, it is Culex quinquefasciatus. Aedes and Mansonia transmits transmit the infection in the Pacific and in Asia. Thus, Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes serve as vector for W. bancrofti in transmission of the disease. Aedes mosquito causes dengue fever. Anopheles mosquito causes malaria. Culex mosquito causes filaria. A wide range of mosquitoes can transmit the parasite, depending on the geographic area. In Africa, the most common vector is Anopheles and in the Americas, it is Culex quinquefasciatus. [This question was wrongly framed in exam as “filaria is caused by__:”. GKtoday has edited it to make it correct.]
4. Membrane lipids of chillsensitive plants contain ____:
[A] Low proportion of saturated fatty acids
[B] Equal proportion of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
[C] Low proportion of unsaturated fatty acids
[D] High proportion of unsaturated fatty acids
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [High proportion of unsaturated fatty acids]
Notes:
The membranes of chill sensitive plants have about a 2 :1 ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. It has been seen that the proportion of unsaturated membrane fatty acids increases and the critical temperature decreases so that chill-sensitive plants are more acclimitized to low temperatures.
5. Which of the following protein is found in nails?
[A] Keratin
[B] Histone
[C] Actin
[D] Elastin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Keratin]
Notes:
Keratin is a family of fibrous structural proteins that is the key structural component of hair and nails. It is also the key structural material making up the outer layer of human skin. Besides, it provides the necessary strength and toughness for masticatory organs, such as the tongue.
6. An eardrum is absent in ____:
[A] Snakes
[B] Toads
[C] Turtles
[D] Tuatara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Snakes]
Notes:
The ear has three main parts: the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear consists of the pinna and the auditory canal. The middle ear is filled with air and contains three tiny bones called ossicles – the anvil, hammer and stirrup. The inner ear contains the semicircular canals and the cochlea. Eardrum is the membrane of middle ear. Snakes have fully developed inner ear structures but no eardrum.
7. Which of the following is a tapeworm?
[A] Enterobius
[B] Fasciola
[C] Taenia
[D] Schistosoma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Taenia]
Notes:
Taenia is a genus of tapeworm that includes some important parasites of livestock. Members of the genus are responsible for taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans. There are more than 100 species recorded. They are morphologically characterized by a ribbon-like body composed of a series of segments called proglottids with proximal mouth called scolex.
8. Grey hair is caused due to
____:
[A] Aging of epidermal cells
[B] Death of dermal cells
[C] Loss of sebum in epidermal cells
[D] Loss of melanin in epidermal cells
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Loss of melanin in epidermal cells]
Notes:
The hair follicles have pigment cells that make melanin, a chemical that gives the hair its color. As one ages, these cells start to die. Without pigment, new hair strands grow in lighter and take on various shades of gray, silver, and eventually white.
9. Which one of the following elements is associated with teeth disorder?
[A] Chlorine
[B] Bromine
[C] Iodine
[D] Fluorine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Fluorine]
Notes:
Fluorine is the element that is associated with teeth disorder because the presence of sodium fluoride in drinking water at the level of 2ppm may cause mottled enamel in teeth, skeletal fluorosis, and may be associated with cancer and other diseases. However, topically applied fluoride (toothpaste, dental rinses) has been shown to help reduce dental caries.
10. Which among the following constitutes the central nervous system in human body?
[A] Only brain
[B] Only blood
[C] Only spinal cord
[D] Both brain and spinal cord
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Both brain and spinal cord]
Notes:
The central nervous system (CNS) controls most functions of the body and mind. It consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord. Both the brain and spinal cord are protected by a three-layered covering of connective tissuecalled the meninges.