TNPSC Biology Diseases and Immunity Quiz 1

TNPSC Biology Diseases and Immunity Quiz 1 – Concept Booster

Before attempting the TNPSC Biology Diseases and Immunity Quiz, revise the key concepts of communicable diseases, immunity, pathogens, and vaccination. These topics are frequently asked in TNPSC exams and form an important part of General Science.

Q1. Which of the following is a communicable disease?

Communicable diseases are diseases that can spread from one person to another through air, water, food, direct contact, or disease-carrying organisms. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and mainly affects the lungs.

Key Points:

• Communicable diseases can spread between people.
• Caused by microorganisms called pathogens.
• Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease.
• Usually spreads through airborne droplets.

Real-Life Example:

When a person with tuberculosis coughs or sneezes, bacteria can spread through the air and infect nearby individuals.

Answer: Tuberculosis

Q2. Which microorganism causes malaria?

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium. The parasite enters the human body through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito and affects red blood cells.

Key Points:

• Malaria is caused by Plasmodium.
• Plasmodium is a protozoan parasite.
• Spread by female Anopheles mosquito.
• Affects red blood cells and causes fever.

Real-Life Example:

People living in areas with stagnant water are at a higher risk of mosquito breeding and malaria transmission.

Answer: Protozoa

Q3. Which disease is caused by a virus?

Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that reproduce only inside living cells. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children and spreads through respiratory droplets from infected individuals.

Key Points:

• Measles is caused by a virus.
• Spreads through coughing and sneezing.
• Viral diseases cannot be treated with antibiotics.
• Vaccination helps prevent measles.

Real-Life Example:

Children receive the measles vaccine as part of routine immunization programs to protect them from infection.

Answer: Measles

Q4. What is the main function of the immune system?

The immune system is the body’s natural defense mechanism that protects against harmful microorganisms and diseases. It identifies pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi and helps destroy them before they cause serious illness.

Key Points:

• Protects the body from infections.
• Recognizes and destroys pathogens.
• Includes white blood cells and antibodies.
• Essential for maintaining health.

Real-Life Example:

When germs enter the body, the immune system responds by producing antibodies to fight the infection.

Answer: Defense against pathogens

Q5. Which of the following is a vector for dengue?

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. The mosquito acts as a vector by carrying the virus from an infected person to a healthy person. Aedes mosquitoes usually breed in clean stagnant water and are most active during the daytime.

Key Points:

• Dengue is caused by a virus.
• Spread through Aedes mosquito bites.
• Aedes breeds in stagnant water.
• Common vector-borne disease.

Real-Life Example:

Water collected in flower pots, old tires, and containers around homes can become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

Answer: Aedes mosquito

Q6. Which disease affects the lungs?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Key Points:

• Primarily affects the lungs.
• Caused by bacteria.
• Spreads through air.
• Can cause persistent cough and breathing problems.

Real-Life Example:

People living in crowded and poorly ventilated areas are at a higher risk of tuberculosis transmission.

Answer: Tuberculosis

Q7. Which vitamin deficiency causes scurvy?

Scurvy is a deficiency disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C in the diet. Vitamin C is important for healthy gums, wound healing, and maintaining body tissues.

Key Points:

• Caused by Vitamin C deficiency.
• Leads to bleeding gums.
• Affects wound healing.
• Weakens immunity.

Real-Life Example:

People who rarely consume fruits and vegetables may develop Vitamin C deficiency over time.

Answer: Vitamin C

Q8. What is vaccination?

Vaccination is a method of protecting people from diseases by stimulating the immune system. Vaccines help the body recognize and fight specific pathogens before they cause illness.

Key Points:

• Helps prevent diseases.
• Stimulates antibody production.
• Builds immunity.
• One of the most effective public health measures.

Real-Life Example:

Children receive vaccines against diseases such as measles and polio during routine immunization programs.

Answer: Prevention of disease

Q9. Which disease is spread through contaminated water?

Cholera is a bacterial disease that spreads through contaminated food and water. It affects the digestive system and can cause severe dehydration if not treated promptly.

Key Points:

• Caused by bacteria.
• Spreads through contaminated water.
• Affects the digestive system.
• Can cause severe diarrhea.

Real-Life Example:

Drinking untreated water from polluted sources can increase the risk of cholera infection.

Answer: Cholera

Q10. Which blood cells produce antibodies?

White blood cells are important components of the immune system. Certain white blood cells, called B-lymphocytes, produce antibodies that help identify and destroy harmful pathogens.

Key Points:

• Part of the immune system.
• Produce antibodies.
• Help fight infections.
• Protect the body from diseases.

Real-Life Example:

When a person receives a vaccine, white blood cells produce antibodies to protect against future infections.

Answer: White blood cells

Q11. Which disease is caused by bacteria?

Typhoid is a bacterial disease caused by Salmonella typhi. It spreads through contaminated food and water and commonly causes fever, weakness, and digestive problems.

Key Points:

• Caused by Salmonella typhi.
• Bacterial disease.
• Spread through contaminated food and water.
• Preventable through proper hygiene.

Real-Life Example:

Eating food prepared under unhygienic conditions can increase the risk of typhoid infection.

Answer: Typhoid

Q12. Which organ is involved in immunity?

The spleen is an important organ of the immune system. It filters blood, removes damaged blood cells, and helps the body fight infections by storing and producing immune cells.

Key Points:

• Part of the immune system.
• Filters blood.
• Helps fight infections.
• Stores immune cells.

Real-Life Example:

When harmful microorganisms enter the bloodstream, the spleen helps the body recognize and respond to them.

Answer: Spleen

Q13. Which disease spreads through mosquito bite?

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium. It spreads through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Key Points:

• Caused by Plasmodium.
• Spread by Anopheles mosquito.
• Protozoan disease.
• Causes fever and chills.

Real-Life Example:

Areas with stagnant water often have more mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria transmission.

Answer: Malaria

Q14. What is the full form of AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a condition caused by HIV, which weakens the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.

Key Points:

• Full form: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
• Caused by HIV.
• Weakens immunity.
• Increases risk of infections.

Real-Life Example:

People with AIDS may become more vulnerable to diseases that a healthy immune system would normally control.

Answer: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Q15. Which disease affects the immune system directly?

AIDS directly affects the immune system by destroying important immune cells. This weakens the body’s defense mechanisms and makes it difficult to fight infections.

Key Points:

• Caused by HIV.
• Damages immune cells.
• Weakens body defenses.
• Increases susceptibility to infections.

Real-Life Example:

A person with AIDS may frequently suffer from infections due to reduced immunity.

Answer: AIDS

Q16. Which pathogen causes COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, which belongs to the coronavirus family. It primarily affects the respiratory system and can spread through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Key Points:

• Caused by SARS-CoV-2.
• Viral disease.
• Affects the respiratory system.
• Spreads through respiratory droplets.

Real-Life Example:

Wearing masks and maintaining good hygiene helped reduce the spread of COVID-19 during outbreaks.

Answer: Virus

Q17. Which disease is non-communicable?

Non-communicable diseases are diseases that do not spread from one person to another. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels.

Key Points:

• Does not spread between people.
• Long-term health condition.
• Related to insulin and blood sugar regulation.
• Requires proper management and treatment.

Real-Life Example:

A person with diabetes cannot transmit the disease to family members through contact or sharing food.

Answer: Diabetes

Q18. Which method helps prevent infections?

Preventing infections is an important part of public health. Vaccination helps prepare the immune system to recognize and fight disease-causing organisms before they cause illness.

Key Points:

• Helps prevent infectious diseases.
• Stimulates the immune system.
• Produces protective antibodies.
• Reduces disease spread.

Real-Life Example:

Vaccines against diseases such as polio and measles have protected millions of people worldwide.

Answer: Vaccination

Q19. Which disease is caused by fungus?

Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin, scalp, or nails. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm but by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes.

Key Points:

• Caused by fungi.
• Affects skin, hair, or nails.
• Can spread through direct contact.
• Causes circular itchy patches on the skin.

Real-Life Example:

Sharing towels, combs, or personal items with an infected person can spread ringworm.

Answer: Ringworm

Q20. What type of immunity is gained through vaccination?

Vaccination provides artificial active immunity by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against specific pathogens. This protection helps the body respond quickly if exposed to the disease in the future.

Key Points:

• Produced through vaccination.
• Stimulates antibody production.
• Provides long-term protection.
• Helps prevent serious diseases.

Real-Life Example:

After receiving a vaccine, the body develops immunity that helps protect against future infections without causing the actual disease.

Answer: Artificial immunity

🔗 Authority Link (WHO – Immunization):
https://www.who.int/health-topics/immunization