Nutrition and Health Practice Questions

Q: Vitamin B12 is not found in which of the following?

Soyabean. **Explanation:** **Core Concept:** Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is unique among vitamins because it is synthesized exclusively by microorganisms (bacteria and archaea). In the food chain, it is found almost entirely in **animal-based foods**. Plants do not require B12 for their metabolic processes and therefore do not synthesize or store it. **Why Soyabean is the Correct Answer:** Soyabean is a legume (plant source). Like all other unfortified plant foods, it naturally lacks Vitamin B12. While some fermented soy products (like tempeh) may contain trace amounts due to bacterial fermentation during processing, pure soyabean is considered a B12-deficient food. This is why strict vegetarians and vegans are at a high risk for B12 deficiency. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Milk:** While lower in concentration than meat, dairy products are a significant source of B12 for lacto-vegetarians. * **Meat:** Organ meats (especially liver and kidney) are the richest sources of Vitamin B12. * **Fish:** Seafood, particularly shellfish and fatty fish, contains high levels of B12. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Absorption:** Requires **Intrinsic Factor (IF)** secreted by gastric parietal cells; absorption occurs in the **terminal ileum**. * **Storage:** Unlike other water-soluble vitamins, B12 is stored in the **liver** for 3–5 years. * **Deficiency:** Leads to **Megaloblastic Anemia** and neurological complications like **Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord (SCD)**. * **Schilling Test:** Historically used to determine the cause of B12 malabsorption (e.g., Pernicious anemia). * **Vegetarian Source Myth:** Spirulina and certain algae contain "pseudo-B12," which is biologically inactive in humans.

Q: What is the daily requirement of Vitamin A for an adult man?

600 mcg. **Explanation:** The daily requirement of Vitamin A is based on the recommendations provided by the **ICMR-NIN (National Institute of Nutrition)**. For an adult man, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is **600 mcg of Retinol** per day. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for maintaining normal vision (rhodopsin synthesis), epithelial integrity, and immune function. In the body, it is measured in terms of Retinol or Beta-carotene (where 1 mcg of Retinol = 8 mcg of Beta-carotene, as per revised ICMR guidelines). **Analysis of Options:** * **600 mcg (Correct):** This is the standard RDA for both adult men and non-pregnant, non-lactating adult women. * **350 mcg (Incorrect):** This value is significantly below the adult requirement and does not correspond to any standard adult RDA category. * **100 mcg (Incorrect):** This is too low for an adult and is insufficient even for infants (whose requirement is approximately 350 mcg). * **2000 mcg (Incorrect):** This exceeds the daily requirement. While the liver stores Vitamin A, chronic intake at this level without deficiency could lead to hypervitaminosis A. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **Lactation:** The requirement increases significantly to **950 mcg/day** to compensate for Vitamin A secreted in breast milk. 2. **Vitamin A Prophylaxis Program:** Children (6–11 months) receive 1 lakh IU, and children (1–5 years) receive 2 lakh IU every 6 months. 3. **First Sign:** Conjunctival xerosis is the first *objective* sign, while Night Blindness (Nyctalopia) is the earliest *symptom*. 4. **Bitot’s Spots:** These are triangular, pearly-white foamy deposits on the bulbar conjunctiva, pathognomonic for Vitamin A deficiency.

Q: What is the approximate amount of lactose in grams per 100 grams of human breast milk?

7.5. ### Explanation The correct answer is **7.5 g/100 ml** (Option D). **1. Why Option D is Correct:** Human breast milk is uniquely designed to support the rapid brain development of human infants. It contains a significantly higher concentration of **lactose** (the primary carbohydrate) compared to animal milk. On average, human milk contains **7.0 to 7.5 grams of lactose per 100 ml**. This high lactose content provides a steady source of glucose for the brain and promotes the growth of *Lactobacillus bifidus* in the gut, which maintains an acidic environment to inhibit pathogens. **2. Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Options A (3.4) and B (4.4):** These values are more characteristic of **Cow’s Milk**, which contains approximately **4.4 to 4.8 g/100 ml** of lactose. Cow’s milk is higher in protein (3.2g) but lower in carbohydrates compared to human milk. * **Option C (5.1):** This is an intermediate value that does not represent the standard physiological composition of mature human breast milk. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** To differentiate between Human Milk and Cow's Milk (per 100 ml), remember the **"Rule of 7-1-3"** for Human Milk: * **Carbohydrates (Lactose):** ~7.0 g (Cow's milk: ~4.5 g) * **Proteins:** ~1.1 g (Cow's milk: ~3.2 g — *Cow's milk has 3x more protein, mainly casein*) * **Fats:** ~3.4 g (Cow's milk: ~3.4 g — *Total fat is similar, but human milk has more PUFAs/DHA*) * **Energy:** Both provide approximately **65–67 kcal/100 ml**. * **Minerals:** Human milk has a lower solute load (Calcium/Phosphorus), making it easier on neonatal kidneys.

Q: What will be the BMI of a male whose weight is 89 kg and height is 172 cm?

30. **Explanation:** **1. Calculation & Correct Answer:** Body Mass Index (BMI), also known as Quetelet’s Index, is a key anthropometric measure used to classify nutritional status. The formula is: **BMI = Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]²** * **Step 1:** Convert height from cm to meters: $172\text{ cm} = 1.72\text{ m}$. * **Step 2:** Square the height: $1.72 \times 1.72 = 2.9584$. * **Step 3:** Divide weight by height squared: $89 / 2.9584 \approx 30.08$. Rounding to the nearest whole number gives **30**, making Option B the correct answer. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Option A (27):** This would be the result if the weight were approximately 80 kg. A BMI of 27 falls under the "Overweight" category. * **Option C (33):** This would require a weight of approximately 98 kg. This falls under Class I Obesity. * **Option D (36):** This would require a weight of approximately 106 kg. This falls under Class II Obesity. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **WHO Classification (Global):** * Underweight: $<18.5$ * Normal: $18.5–24.9$ * Overweight: $25–29.9$ * Obesity: $\geq 30$ (Class I: $30–34.9$; Class II: $35–39.9$; Class III: $\geq 40$) * **Revised Classification for Asians (India):** Due to higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs, the cut-offs are lower: * Normal: $18.5–22.9\text{ kg/m}^2$ * Overweight: $23–24.9\text{ kg/m}^2$ * Obesity: $\geq 25\text{ kg/m}^2$ * **Ponderal Index:** $\text{Weight (kg)} / \text{Height (m)}^3$. It is considered more sensitive than BMI for certain populations. * **Corpulence Index:** Actual weight / Desired weight.

Q: The toxin responsible for Lathyrism is

BOAA. **Explanation:** **Lathyrism** is a nervous system disorder caused by the excessive consumption of *Lathyrus sativus* (Khesari dal). 1. **Correct Answer: A (BOAA)** The toxin responsible is **BOAA (Beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine)**, also known as **ODAP** (Oxalyldiaminopropionic acid). It is a potent neurotoxin and an excitatory amino acid analogue that causes the death of upper motor neurons. This leads to **Neurolathyrism**, characterized by spastic paraplegia of the lower limbs. 2. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **B. Sanguinarine:** This toxin is found in **Argemone mexicana** (Prickly poppy) seeds. When mixed with mustard oil, it causes **Epidemic Dropsy**, characterized by bilateral edema, cardiac failure, and glaucoma. * **C. Pyrazolidine alkaloid:** These are found in **Crotalaria** seeds (Jhunjhunia). Consumption leads to **Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD)** of the liver. * **D. Calotoxin:** This is a cardiac glycoside found in *Calotropis* species, primarily acting as a gastrointestinal irritant and cardiac poison. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Safe Limit:** Lathyrus dal is considered safe if it constitutes less than **30%** of the total diet. * **Stages of Lathyrism:** Non-stick stage → One-stick stage → Two-stick stage → Crawler stage. * **Prevention:** * **Parboiling:** Steeping the seeds in hot water and draining (removes 90% of BOAA). * **Sun-drying:** Less effective than parboiling. * **Banning:** The sale of Khesari dal was historically banned under PFA acts to prevent outbreaks. * **Age/Sex Predilection:** Most common in males aged 15–45 years.

Q: A person's height is 174 cm and their weight is 89 kg. What is their BMI classification?

Pre-obese. **Explanation:** To determine the BMI classification, we first calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) using Quetelet’s Index formula: **BMI = Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]²** 1. **Conversion:** Height = 174 cm = 1.74 m. 2. **Calculation:** BMI = 89 / (1.74 × 1.74) = 89 / 3.0276 ≈ **29.4 kg/m²**. According to the **WHO Classification of BMI**, a value of 29.4 kg/m² falls into the **Pre-obese** category (25.00 – 29.99 kg/m²). **Analysis of Options:** * **A. Underweight:** Defined as a BMI **< 18.5 kg/m²**. * **B. Normal weight:** Defined as a BMI between **18.5 – 24.99 kg/m²**. * **C. Pre-obese (Correct):** Defined as **25.0 – 29.99 kg/m²**. This is the stage where intervention is most effective to prevent clinical obesity. * **D. Obese:** Defined as a BMI **≥ 30 kg/m²**. (Obese Class I: 30–34.9; Class II: 35–39.9; Class III: ≥ 40). **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Asian-Indian Specific Criteria:** For the Indian population, the cut-offs are lower due to higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs. Normal: 18.5–22.9; Overweight/Pre-obese: **23–24.9**; Obese: **≥ 25**. * **Ponderal Index:** Calculated as $Height (cm) / \sqrt[3]{Weight (kg)}$. It is considered a more sensitive indicator of physical build than BMI. * **Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR):** A better predictor of metabolic risk than BMI. Risk increases if WHR is **> 0.9 in men** or **> 0.85 in women**.

Q: Which of the following is most commonly used for protein utilization?

Net protein utilization (NPU). **Explanation:** Protein quality is assessed based on digestibility and the biological value of the amino acids present. **Net Protein Utilization (NPU)** is the most commonly used index for protein utilization because it combines both **digestibility** and **biological value** into a single measure. It represents the proportion of dietary protein that is actually retained by the body. Since it accounts for digestive losses, it provides a more practical reflection of how well a protein source meets the body's nitrogen requirements compared to Biological Value (BV) alone. **Analysis of Options:** * **Biological Value (BV):** This measures the percentage of absorbed nitrogen retained by the body. While accurate for metabolic utilization, it does not account for how much protein was lost during digestion (fecal loss). * **Amino Acid Score:** This is a chemical score that compares the essential amino acid content of a test protein with a reference protein (e.g., egg). It measures potential quality rather than actual physiological utilization. * **Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER):** This measures weight gain per gram of protein intake, usually in growing rats. It is less accurate for humans as weight gain does not always correlate strictly with protein retention. **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **Formula:** $NPU = \text{Biological Value} \times \text{Digestibility Coefficient} / 100$. * **Reference Protein:** Egg is considered the "standard" or "reference protein" with an NPU of 100. * **Limiting Amino Acids:** Pulses are deficient in **Methionine**, while Cereals are deficient in **Lysine**. * **Pulse-Cereal Mix:** A ratio of **1:4** (Pulse:Cereal) is recommended to achieve a complementary amino acid profile, enhancing the overall NPU of a vegetarian diet.

Q: Which microorganisms are known to commonly enter freshly laid eggs?

Salmonella. **Explanation:** **Salmonella** (specifically *Salmonella Enteritidis* and *Salmonella Typhimurium*) is the primary microorganism associated with freshly laid eggs. This occurs through two mechanisms: 1. **Vertical Transmission (Transovarian):** The bacteria infect the hen’s ovaries or oviduct, becoming incorporated into the egg contents (yolk or albumen) before the shell is formed. 2. **Horizontal Transmission:** Fecal contamination on the eggshell surface can penetrate the porous shell shortly after the egg is laid. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Brucella:** Primarily transmitted through unpasteurized dairy products (milk/cheese) or direct contact with infected livestock (cattle, goats, pigs). It is not typically associated with poultry or eggs. * **Shigella:** Primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route through contaminated water or food handled by infected individuals (the "4 Fs": Fingers, Flies, Food, Feces). It does not naturally infect the reproductive tract of poultry. * **Vibrio cholerae:** An aquatic bacterium transmitted via contaminated water or seafood. It is not a pathogen found in the internal environment of a freshly laid egg. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Salmonella** is the most common cause of food poisoning worldwide; eggs and poultry are the most frequent vehicles. * **Cooking:** Salmonella is heat-labile; thorough cooking (until yolk and white are firm) or pasteurization of eggs kills the bacteria. * **Storage:** Eggs should be stored at temperatures below 4°C (40°F) to prevent the multiplication of Salmonella. * **Public Health:** In Community Medicine, the "Egg-borne" transmission of Salmonellosis is a classic example of a zoonotic infection entering the human food chain.

Q: What is the cause of epidemic dropsy?

Sanguinarine. **Explanation:** **Epidemic Dropsy** is a clinical condition caused by the consumption of mustard oil contaminated with **Argemone mexicana** (prickly poppy) seeds. The seeds contain the toxic alkaloid **Sanguinarine**, which interferes with cellular oxidation and leads to increased capillary permeability and dilatation. * **Why Sanguinarine is correct:** Sanguinarine (and its metabolite dihydrosanguinarine) causes widespread capillary leakage. This results in the classic triad of symptoms: **bilateral pitting edema** (dropsy), gastrointestinal disturbances, and cardiovascular manifestations. A high-yield complication is **Glaucoma**, which occurs due to increased production of aqueous humor. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. Pyrrolizidine:** These alkaloids are found in *Crotalaria* seeds (Jhunjhunia) and are responsible for **Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD)** of the liver, leading to ascites and hepatomegaly. * **C. Fusarium toxin:** Specifically T-2 toxin, it contaminates moldy grains and is associated with **Alimentary Toxic Aleukia (ATA)**. * **D. BOAA (Beta-Oxalyl-Amino-Alanine):** This neurotoxin is found in *Lathyrus sativus* (Khesari Dal) and causes **Lathyrism**, a condition characterized by spastic paraplegia. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Diagnosis:** The **Nitric Acid Test** or Paper Chromatography is used to detect Argemone oil in mustard oil. * **Key Feature:** Sudden onset of non-inflammatory bilateral pedal edema. * **Cardiac Impact:** Can lead to high-output heart failure. * **Cutaneous Sign:** Sarcoid-like skin lesions (telangiectasia) may be seen.

Q: Beta-oxalo amino alanine is the toxin responsible for the manifestation of which condition?

Lathyrism. **Explanation:** **Lathyrism** is a form of permanent spastic paralysis caused by the excessive consumption of *Lathyrus sativus* (Khesari dal). The underlying toxin is **Beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine (BOAA)**, also known as **ODAP** (beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid). This neurotoxin acts as a glutamate analogue, causing excitotoxicity and subsequent destruction of the upper motor neurons in the spinal cord. It typically affects young men (15–45 years) and manifests in four clinical stages: Latent, No-stick, One-stick, and Two-stick/Crawler stage. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Epidemic Dropsy:** Caused by the ingestion of mustard oil contaminated with **Argemone mexicana** seeds. The responsible toxin is **Sanguinarine**, which leads to oxidative stress and capillary leakage (presenting as bilateral edema, cardiac failure, and glaucoma). * **Staphylococcal Food Poisoning:** Caused by the ingestion of pre-formed **Enterotoxins** (Type A-E) produced by *Staphylococcus aureus*. It is characterized by a very short incubation period (1–6 hours) and prominent vomiting. * **Endemic Ascites:** Caused by the consumption of cereals contaminated with seeds of **Crotalaria** (Jhunjhunia). The toxin involved is **Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid**, which causes Hepato-Veno Occlusive Disease (HVOD). **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Prevention of Lathyrism:** The safest method to remove BOAA is **steeping** (soaking in hot water) or **parboiling**. * **Lathyrism vs. Dropsy:** Remember "Lathyrism = Leg paralysis (BOAA)" vs. "Dropsy = Dilated heart/edema (Sanguinarine)." * **Legal Limit:** The PFA Act previously banned Khesari dal, but recent guidelines focus on limiting its consumption to less than 30% of the total diet to prevent toxicity.

Question 1

Vitamin B12 is not found in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Soyabean

Answer

Milk

Answer

Meat

Answer

Fish

Question 2

What is the daily requirement of Vitamin A for an adult man?

Accepted Answer

600 mcg

Answer

350 mcg

Answer

100 mcg

Answer

2000 mcg

Question 3

What is the approximate amount of lactose in grams per 100 grams of human breast milk?

Accepted Answer

7.5

Answer

3.4

Answer

4.4

Answer

5.1

Question 4

What will be the BMI of a male whose weight is 89 kg and height is 172 cm?

Accepted Answer

30

Answer

27

Answer

33

Answer

36

Question 5

The toxin responsible for Lathyrism is

Accepted Answer

BOAA

Answer

Sanguinarine

Answer

Pyrazolidine alkaloid

Answer

Calotoxin

Question 6

A person's height is 174 cm and their weight is 89 kg. What is their BMI classification?

Accepted Answer

Pre-obese

Answer

Underweight

Answer

Normal weight

Answer

Obese

Question 7

Which of the following is most commonly used for protein utilization?

Accepted Answer

Net protein utilization (NPU)

Answer

Amino acid score

Answer

Biological value

Answer

Protein efficiency ratio

Question 8

Which microorganisms are known to commonly enter freshly laid eggs?

Accepted Answer

Salmonella

Answer

Brucella

Answer

Shigella

Answer

Vibrio cholerae

Question 9

What is the cause of epidemic dropsy?

Accepted Answer

Sanguinarine

Answer

Pyrolizidine

Answer

Fusarium toxin

Answer

BOAA

Question 10

Beta-oxalo amino alanine is the toxin responsible for the manifestation of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Lathyrism

Answer

Epidemic dropsy

Answer

Staphylococcal food poisoning

Answer

Endemic ascites

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

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