Ready for another quick Biology challenge? This TNPSC Biology Nutrition and Vitamins Quiz is packed with important TNPSC-level questions that can help you revise energy-giving foods, body-building nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and common deficiency diseases. Let’s see how well you know this important TNPSC Biology topic!
TNPSC Biology Nutrition and Vitamins Quiz 1 – Detailed Explanation
Every answer in this TNPSC Biology Nutrition and Vitamins Quiz includes a simple explanation to help you understand the concept better. Review them carefully to strengthen your TNPSC Biology and TNPSC General Science preparation.
1. Which nutrient is the main source of energy?
Explanation:
Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which cells use to produce energy for daily activities, brain function, and muscle movement. Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles for later use.
Key Points:
- Primary energy-giving nutrient.
- Converted into glucose during digestion.
- Stored as glycogen when not immediately needed.
- Common sources include rice, wheat, maize, potatoes, and fruits.
Real-Life Example:
Athletes often eat carbohydrate-rich foods such as bananas or rice before competitions to maintain energy levels.
Answer: ✅ Carbohydrates
2. Which vitamin is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin”?
Explanation:
Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because the human skin produces it when exposed to sunlight, especially ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. It helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for healthy bones and teeth.
Key Points:
- Produced naturally through sunlight exposure.
- Improves calcium absorption.
- Essential for bone growth and maintenance.
- Deficiency can cause weak bones.
Real-Life Example:
Children are encouraged to spend some time in morning sunlight to support natural Vitamin D production.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin D
3. Which nutrient is responsible for body building?
Explanation:
Proteins are known as body-building nutrients because they are required for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. They also help in producing enzymes, hormones, and antibodies that support normal body functions.
Key Points:
- Required for growth and tissue repair.
- Builds muscles and body cells.
- Forms enzymes and hormones.
- Important during childhood, adolescence, and recovery from illness.
Real-Life Example:
Milk, eggs, pulses, fish, and soybeans are protein-rich foods commonly included in balanced diets.
Answer: ✅ Proteins
4. Which vitamin deficiency causes night blindness?
Explanation:
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining normal vision, especially in dim light. A deficiency reduces the eye’s ability to adapt to darkness, leading to night blindness. Severe deficiency may also damage the cornea and cause permanent vision loss.
Key Points:
- Essential for healthy eyesight.
- Supports normal vision in low light.
- Also helps maintain healthy skin and immunity.
- Found in carrots, spinach, mangoes, and liver.
Real-Life Example:
Regular consumption of carrots and green leafy vegetables helps maintain adequate Vitamin A levels.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin A
5. Which nutrient helps in storing energy?
Explanation:
Fats serve as the body’s long-term energy reserve. They provide more than twice the energy per gram compared to carbohydrates and proteins. Fats also protect internal organs, help absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and insulate the body against heat loss.
Key Points:
- Long-term energy storage nutrient.
- Provides about 9 kcal of energy per gram.
- Protects organs and maintains body temperature.
- Helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Real-Life Example:
The body uses stored fat as an energy source during prolonged fasting or long-duration physical activities.
Answer: ✅ Fats
6. Which vitamin helps in blood clotting?
Explanation:
Vitamin K is essential for the formation of clotting factors that help stop bleeding after an injury. Without enough Vitamin K, the blood takes longer to clot, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding. It also contributes to maintaining healthy bones.
Key Points:
- Essential for normal blood clotting.
- Helps produce clotting proteins in the liver.
- Supports bone health.
- Found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage.
Real-Life Example:
When you get a small cut, Vitamin K helps your blood clot and prevents continuous bleeding.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin K
7. Which nutrient helps in digestion?
Explanation:
Dietary fiber, also known as roughage, is an indigestible part of plant foods that supports healthy digestion. It adds bulk to food, promotes regular bowel movements, and helps prevent constipation. Fiber also supports gut health and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Key Points:
- Improves digestion.
- Prevents constipation.
- Promotes healthy bowel movements.
- Found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses.
Real-Life Example:
Eating fruits like apples and vegetables daily helps keep the digestive system healthy.
Answer: ✅ Fiber
8. Which mineral is important for strong bones?
Explanation:
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also plays a vital role in muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium effectively.
Key Points:
- Builds strong bones and teeth.
- Required for muscle and nerve function.
- Works together with Vitamin D.
- Found in milk, curd, cheese, and green leafy vegetables.
Real-Life Example:
Children who consume milk regularly receive calcium needed for healthy bone development.
Answer: ✅ Calcium
9. Which vitamin deficiency causes scurvy?
Explanation:
Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Vitamin C is necessary for collagen formation, which helps maintain healthy skin, gums, blood vessels, and wound healing. Deficiency leads to bleeding gums, weak connective tissues, and delayed wound healing.
Key Points:
- Caused by Vitamin C deficiency.
- Leads to bleeding gums and poor wound healing.
- Important for collagen production.
- Rich sources include oranges, lemons, guava, and amla.
Real-Life Example:
Including citrus fruits in the daily diet helps prevent Vitamin C deficiency.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin C
10. Which food is rich in protein?
Explanation:
Egg is an excellent source of high-quality protein containing all essential amino acids required by the body. Proteins are necessary for growth, muscle development, tissue repair, and the production of enzymes and hormones.
Key Points:
- Rich source of complete protein.
- Supports muscle growth and tissue repair.
- Contains essential amino acids.
- Also provides vitamins and minerals.
Real-Life Example:
Many athletes and growing children include eggs in their diet to meet their protein requirements.
Answer: ✅ Egg
11. Which vitamin is important for healthy skin?
Explanation:
Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and the immune system. It supports the growth and repair of skin cells and helps keep the skin soft and healthy. A deficiency may lead to dry skin and vision problems.
Key Points:
- Maintains healthy skin and vision.
- Supports the immune system.
- Helps in cell growth and repair.
- Found in carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and liver.
Real-Life Example:
Eating carrots and green leafy vegetables regularly helps maintain healthy skin and eyesight.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin A
12. Which nutrient regulates body functions?
Explanation:
Vitamins are organic nutrients required in small amounts to regulate various body functions. They help in metabolism, immunity, growth, and maintaining healthy organs. Although they do not provide energy, they are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Key Points:
- Regulate body processes.
- Support metabolism and immunity.
- Required in small quantities.
- Deficiency can lead to various diseases.
Real-Life Example:
A balanced diet containing fruits and vegetables supplies the vitamins needed for normal body functions.
Answer: ✅ Vitamins
13. Which mineral is essential for hemoglobin formation?
Explanation:
Iron is an essential mineral needed for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency reduces oxygen transport and can lead to anemia, causing fatigue and weakness.
Key Points:
- Essential for hemoglobin synthesis.
- Helps transport oxygen in the blood.
- Prevents iron-deficiency anemia.
- Found in spinach, dates, beans, and meat.
Real-Life Example:
Doctors often recommend iron-rich foods to individuals with low hemoglobin levels.
Answer: ✅ Iron
14. Which disease is caused by Vitamin D deficiency?
Explanation:
Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children, a condition in which bones become soft and weak due to poor calcium absorption. In adults, prolonged deficiency can lead to osteomalacia. Adequate sunlight exposure and a balanced diet help prevent this condition.
Key Points:
- Caused by Vitamin D deficiency.
- Leads to soft and weak bones.
- Vitamin D improves calcium absorption.
- Prevented through sunlight and nutritious food.
Real-Life Example:
Children who receive regular sunlight exposure and consume fortified milk are less likely to develop rickets.
Answer: ✅ Rickets
15. Which vitamin is present in citrus fruits?
Explanation:
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and sweet limes are rich sources of Vitamin C. This vitamin strengthens the immune system, supports collagen production, promotes wound healing, and acts as an antioxidant to protect body cells from damage.
Key Points:
- Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C.
- Boosts immunity.
- Helps in collagen formation and wound healing.
- Acts as a powerful antioxidant.
Real-Life Example:
Drinking fresh orange or lemon juice regularly helps meet the body’s Vitamin C requirement.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin C
16. Which nutrient is needed in small amounts but essential?
Explanation:
Vitamins are micronutrients that the body requires in very small quantities for normal growth, metabolism, and overall health. Although they do not provide energy, they help regulate many vital body processes. A balanced diet usually provides all the essential vitamins needed by the body.
Key Points:
- Vitamins are micronutrients.
- Required in small amounts.
- Support growth, metabolism, and immunity.
- Deficiency can lead to specific deficiency diseases.
Real-Life Example:
Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day helps supply essential vitamins naturally.
Answer: ✅ Vitamins
17. Which nutrient helps repair body tissues?
Explanation:
Proteins are essential for repairing damaged tissues and replacing worn-out cells. They also support muscle growth, enzyme production, hormone synthesis, and the formation of antibodies that protect the body from infections.
Key Points:
- Repairs and rebuilds body tissues.
- Supports muscle growth.
- Forms enzymes, hormones, and antibodies.
- Found in eggs, milk, fish, pulses, and soybeans.
Real-Life Example:
After an injury or surgery, doctors often recommend protein-rich foods to speed up tissue repair.
Answer: ✅ Proteins
18. Which mineral helps in nerve function?
Explanation:
Potassium is an essential mineral that helps transmit nerve impulses and supports normal muscle contractions, including the heartbeat. It also helps maintain the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance, ensuring proper cell function.
Key Points:
- Essential for nerve impulse transmission.
- Supports muscle contraction.
- Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Found in bananas, potatoes, spinach, and coconut water.
Real-Life Example:
Bananas are commonly recommended after exercise because they help replenish potassium lost through sweat.
Answer: ✅ Potassium (Option D)
19. Which vitamin deficiency causes beriberi?
Explanation:
Beriberi is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). Thiamine is essential for converting carbohydrates into energy and maintaining the normal function of the nervous system, muscles, and heart. Severe deficiency affects both the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Key Points:
- Caused by Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency.
- Essential for energy metabolism.
- Supports healthy nerves and heart.
- Found in whole grains, pulses, nuts, and cereals.
Real-Life Example:
People who consume a balanced diet with whole grains and pulses usually receive sufficient Vitamin B1.
Answer: ✅ Vitamin B1
20. Which food group provides quick energy?
Explanation:
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of quick energy because they are rapidly broken down into glucose, which is used by cells for immediate energy. They are especially important for the brain, muscles, and other organs that require a continuous supply of energy.
Key Points:
- Provides immediate energy.
- Broken down into glucose during digestion.
- Main fuel for the brain and muscles.
- Common sources include rice, wheat, bread, fruits, and potatoes.
Real-Life Example:
Students often eat bananas or other carbohydrate-rich snacks before exams or sports activities for a quick energy boost.
Answer: ✅ Carbohydrates
Final Revision Points
- Carbohydrates → Quick and primary source of energy
- Proteins → Growth and repair of body tissues
- Fats → Stored energy (long-term energy source)
- Vitamin A → Vision and healthy skin
- Vitamin B1 → Prevents Beriberi
- Vitamin C → Prevents Scurvy and boosts immunity
- Vitamin D → Helps in bone strength (Rickets if deficient)
- Vitamin K → Helps in blood clotting
- Dietary Fiber → Aids digestion and prevents constipation
- Calcium → Strong bones and teeth
- Iron → Hemoglobin formation
Further Reading:
Looking to strengthen your TNPSC Biology Nutrition and Vitamins preparation? Learning beyond MCQs helps you understand the functions of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and balanced diets in greater detail. For authentic and up-to-date information, explore the resources provided by the ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). It is an excellent reference for TNPSC Biology and TNPSC General Science aspirants who want to build strong fundamentals.
ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition (NIN): https://www.nin.res.in/
Every question you practice today takes you one step closer to your TNPSC goal. Keep revising TNPSC Biology topics like Nutrition and Vitamins regularly, learn from every explanation, and stay consistent. Small daily practice leads to big results. Best of luck with your TNPSC preparation
