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. What percentage of carbon is present in steel?
[A] 0.0 to 2.5
[B] 2.5 to 5.0
[C] 5.0 to 7.5
[D] 7.5 to 10.0
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [0.0 to 2.5 ]
Notes:
Steel is an alloy made by combining iron and other elements, the most common of these being carbon. When carbon is used, its content in the steel is between 0.2% and 2. 1% by weight, depending on the grade. Other alloying elements sometimes used are manganese, chromium, vanadium and tungsten. Carbon and other elements act as a hardening agent, preventing dislocations in the iron atom crystal lattice from sliding past one another.
2. Seaweeds are an important source of which of the following?
[A] Iron
[B] Chlorine
[C] Bromine
[D] Iodine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Iodine]
Notes:
Edible seaweed products have been consumed in many Asian countries. Edible seaweeds accumulate iodine from seawater and are therefore a good dietary source of iodine. Adequate consumption of seaweed can eliminate iodine deficiency disorders, but excessive iodine intake is not good for health. The recommended dietary reference intake of 0.15 mg/d and 0.14 mg/d for iodine has been established in the United States and Taiwan, respectively. Seaweed is an excellent source of iodine. However, the amount it contains depends on the species. Kombu kelp offers the highest amount of iodine, with some varieties containing nearly 2,000% of the daily value in one gram. Seaweed is a source of iodine, necessary for thyroid function and to prevent goitre. However, an excess of iodine is suspected in the heightened cancer risk in Japanese who consume a lot of the plant, and even bigger risks in post-menopausal women.
3. Which of the following is not a multicellular organism?
[A] Fungi
[B] Hydra
[C] Spirogyra
[D] Paramecium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Paramecium]
Notes:
Multicellular organisms are made up of more than one cell. The development of multicellular organisms is accompanied by cellular specialization and division of labor; cells become efficient in one process and are dependent upon other cells for the necessities of life. Paramecium is single-celled protists naturally found in aquatic habitats. Paramecium is the only genus in the family Parameciidae, which resides within the phylum Ciliophora.
4. Which one of the following is the smallest endocrine gland in human body?
[A] Pancreas
[B] Thyroid
[C] Pituitary
[D] Adrenal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pituitary]
Notes:
Pituitary gland, called Master Gland, is the smallest endocrine gland. It controls the general growth of the body coordinating the functioning of other endo crime glands and stimulates the primary sex hormones, i.e. ovaries and testes.
5. Among the given nutrients, milk is a poor source of which of the following?
[A] Carbohydrate
[B] Calcium
[C] Protein
[D] Vitamin C
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vitamin C]
Notes:
Milk is a poor source of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It contains about 1 mg ascorbate per 100 g. Even the little Vitamin C is usually destroyed when the milk is heat treated. Milk as a complete food contains most of the esential nutrients except are vitamin C and iron.
6. Saprophytes are the organisms which depend for food on
____:
[A] Inorganic chemical compounds
[B] Living plants
[C] Living animals
[D] Dead and decaying material
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Dead and decaying material]
Notes:
Saprophytes are the organisms which depend for food on dead and decaying material. They secrete digestive substances into the surrounding environment and break down the organic matter into simpler substances. The nutrients thus produced are absorbed directly through the cell membranes of the organisms.
7. The biological process in which both aerobes and anaerobes degrade organic matter is ____:
[A] Digesting
[B] Composting
[C] Manuring
[D] Nutrifying
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Composting]
Notes:
Composting is the depomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for enriching soil. It is the chief way to recycle wastes.
8. 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.
9. How the rate of absorption of water through roots can be increased?
[A] Keeping the plants under the fan
[B] Keeping the plants in the dim light
[C] Keeping the plants in the shade
[D] Covering the plants with a polythene bag
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Keeping the plants under the fan]
Notes:
When a plant is placed under the fan, the speed of air is increased which leads to high rate of transpiration through the stomata. The increase in the rate of transpiration increases the water absorption also. As by keeping the plants under the fan, the transpiration process is boosted. Therefore, more amount of water and other minerals are absorbed by the plant roots from the soil.
10. A spore producing plant is ____:
[A] Rose
[B] Potato
[C] Ginger
[D] Bread mould
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bread mould]
Notes:
Mould is a member of the fungi kingdom. Fungi can be defined as a plant without chlorophyll, so it cannot get energy directly from the sun. This means that fungi must use other plants and animals as its food source. This is why bread mould is so common because of the ingredients in bread, it is an excellent source of nutrition for many moulds to grow and thrive.