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General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations

Posted by Web IQ Quiz

Multiple choice questions on general science for inclusion in the GK paper of various competitive examinations such as SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC, and State PSC Exams.

General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations

Which among the following is a Noble Gas?
[A] Nitrogen
[B] Hydrogen
[C] Oxygen
[D] Helium

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Helium] Explanation: The noble gases are the chemical elements in group 18 of the periodic table. They are the most stable due to having the maximum number of valence electrons their outer shell can hold. This chemical series contains helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.

Enteric fermentation is fermentation that takes place in the digestive systems of ruminant animals. It is one of the reasons for increased ________emissions?
[A] Carbondioxide
[B] Methane
[C] Ammonia
[D] Sulphur

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Methane] Explanation: Enteric fermentation is a digestive process that takes place in the digestive systems of ruminant animals by which carbohydrates are broken down by microorganisms into simple molecules for absorption into the bloodstream of an animal.

During the process of Osmosis, the solvent travels from _______ ?
[A] Concentrated solution to dilute solution
[B] Dilute solution to the concentrated solution
[C] Solvent does not travel in osmosis
[D] None of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Concentrated solution to dilute solution] Explanation: Osmosis is a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a more concentrated solution into a less concentrated one making both the sides equal.

Who among the following is called the father of Modern Genetics?
[A] William Bateson
[B] Robert Hooke
[C] E J Butler
[D] F O Bower

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Correct Answer: A [William Bateson] Explanation: William Bateson was an English biologist who was the first person to use the term genetics to describe the study of heredity. He is considered as the father of Modern Genetics.

Causing agent of which of the following disease produces Integrase enzyme?
[A] Malaria
[B] Small Pox
[C] Swine flu
[D] AIDS

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Correct Answer: D [AIDS] Explanation: The key enzyme that integrates retroviral DNA into the host genome is the virally encoded integrase protein. HIV uses integrase to insert (integrate) its viral DNA into the DNA of the host CD4 cell.

Turmeric belongs to which one of the following family of plants?
[A] Radish
[B] Ginger
[C] Onion
[D] Clove

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Correct Answer: B [Ginger] Explanation: Turmeric is a product of Curcuma longa, a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the ginger family Zingiberaceae. They are native to tropical South Asia. There are 133 species of Curcuma all around the world.

Genetic Modification (GM) technique RIDL was in the news. RIDL is being developed for combating which of the following diseases?
[A] Swine Flu
[B] Malaria
[C] Cancer
[D] AIDS

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malaria] Explanation: RIDL (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal) is a genetic modification technique being developed to control the spread of diseases such as malaria by reducing the population of disease-carrying insects.

The bacterium ‘Escherichia coli’ is found mainly in:
[A] Human Intestine
[B] Pteridophytes
[C] Root Nodules of leguminous plants
[D] Paddy fields for nitrogen fixation

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Correct Answer: A [Human Intestine] Explanation: Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli, is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus Escherichia. It is a type of bacteria that normally lives in your intestines.

Newton’s third law of motion applies to which of these forces?
[A] Gravitational
[B] Electric
[C] Magnetic
[D] All of the Above

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Correct Answer: D [All of the Above] Explanation: Newton’s third law of motion applies to all kinds of forces i.e. Electric, Magnetic, Gravitational etc. It states that every action always has an equal and opposite reaction.

The Kinetic energy of a satellite is maximum in which of the following conditions?
[A] when the satellite is at perigee
[B] when the satellite is at apogee
[C] it is equal at perigee and apogee
[D] None of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [when the satellite is at perigee] Explanation: The Kinetic energy will be maximum when the satellite is closest to the central body (at perigee) and minimum when it is farthest from the central body (at apogee). Potential energy will be minimum when kinetic energy = maximum i.e., the satellite is closest to the central body (at perigee) and maximum when kinetic energy = minimum i.e., the satellite is farthest from the central body (at apogee).

Which of the following gas is used to prevent the chips from getting oxidised?
[A] Oxygen
[B] Nitrogen
[C] Helium
[D] Lithium

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nitrogen] Explanation: The chips manufacturers usually flush bags of chips with gas such as nitrogen to prevent the chips from getting oxidised.

Which of the following Group in the modern periodic table contains Halogens?
[A] Group 18
[B] Group 1
[C] Group 17
[D] Group 2

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Correct Answer: C [Group 17] Explanation: The Halogens are placed in 17 group number. The halogens are located on the left of the noble gases in the periodic table. Halogen group contains fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At).

Which gas is produced when Sodium ethanoate is heated with Soda lime?
[A] Methane
[B] Ethane
[C] Acetylene
[D] Ethene

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Methane] Explanation: Sodium salts of carboxylic acids on heating with soda lime (mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide) give alkanes containing one carbon atom less than the carboxylic acid. This represents deCarboxylation.

Which of the following metals is the major constituent of Pewter alloy?
[A] Tin
[B] Indium
[C] Titanium
[D] Lead

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Correct Answer: A [Tin] Explanation: Tin is the major constituent of Pewter alloy. It is traditionally composed of 85–99% tin, mixed with copper, antimony, bismuth.

Which of the following is the most common wheat disease in India?
[A] Green ear
[B] Smut
[C] Loose smut
[D] Rust

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rust] Explanation: Wheat leaf rust is a fungal disease that affects wheat, barley and rye stems, leaves and grains. Its infections can lead up to 20% yield loss, which is exacerbated by dying leaves, which fertilize the fungus. The pathogen of rust is Puccinia rust fungus.

Which of the following branch of biology deals with the study of viruses?
[A] Cytology
[B] Mycology
[C] Virology
[D] Taxonomy

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Virology] Explanation: Virology, the branch of microbiology that deals with the study of viruses.

What is the plant cell wall mainly made of?
[A] Protein
[B] Cellulose
[C] Lipid
[D] Starch

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cellulose] Explanation: The cell wall is composed of a network of cellulose microfibrils and cross-linking glycans. It is embedded in a highly cross-linked matrix of pectin polysaccharides. Lignin may accumulate in the secondary cell wall.

Who among the following discovered the plasma membrane?
[A] Robert Hooke
[B] Albert von Kolliker
[C] George E. Palade
[D] Rudolf von Kölliker

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Robert Hooke] Explanation: The plasma membrane is mainly composed of fatty-acid-based lipids and proteins. Robert Hooke discovered the plasma membrane.

The viruses in an attenuated vaccine?
[A] have no genome
[B] continue to replicate
[C] are usually larger than bacteria
[D] is altered with chemicals

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [continue to replicate] Explanation: The viruses in an attenuated vaccine continue to replicate. Attenuated vaccines do not usually cause disease like those caused by the wild form of the organism.

Removal of excess water from plants into the atmosphere is called which of the following?
[A] Guttation
[B] Photosynthesis
[C] Transpiration
[D] Storage

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Transpiration] Explanation: Transpiration is the removal of excess water from plants into the atmosphere. This occurs due to the opening of stomata present in the leaves.

Which structure is part of the tectum?
[A] superior colliculus
[B] periaqueductal grey
[C] substantia nigra
[D] red nucleus

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [superior colliculus] Explanation: The superior colliculus structure is part of the tectum. The tectum forms the back of the midbrain and is formed by two paired rounded swellings, the superior and inferior colliculi.

What are the most important nerves in the human body?
[A] cranial
[B] spinal
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2] Explanation: The most important nerves in the human body are the cranial and spinal nerves. The cranial nerves are 12 in number while the spinal nerves are 31 in number.

How many cranial nerves are there in the human body?
[A] 12 pairs
[B] 14 pairs
[C] 18 pairs
[D] 20 pairs

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Correct Answer: A [12 pairs] Explanation: There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves found in the human body. Olfactory nerve, optic nerve, facial nerve, oculomotor nerve, vagus nerve, hypoglossal nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, accessory nerve, trochlear nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, trigeminal nerve, and abdominal nerve.

A process where urine is removed from the body is called __
[A] Dialysis
[B] Micturition
[C] Secretion
[D] Glomerular Filtration

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Micturition] Explanation: A process where urine is removed from the body is called Micturition.

What part of the nephron is responsible for blood pressure-driven filtration?
[A] distal tubule
[B] loop of Henle
[C] glomerulus
[D] Urethra

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [glomerulus] Explanation: The glomerulus is a part of the nephron which is responsible for blood pressure-driven filtration.

Where does the stomach receive its blood supply?
[A] Superior mesenteric artery
[B] Inferior mesenteric artery
[C] Gastric artery
[D] Coeliac axis

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Coeliac axis] Explanation: The stomach receives the majority of its blood supply from the Coeliac axis.

Which of the following is an oncogenic trait?
[A] a type of trait whose phenotype is influenced by more than one gene
[B] a trait produced by the effect of a gene or an allele.
[C] a gene that has the potential to cause cancer.
[D] None of these

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [a gene that has the potential to cause cancer.] Explanation: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer is called an oncogenic trait.

Which of the following is an example of starch crops biomass feedstocks?
[A] Sugar cane
[B] Wheat straw
[C] Corn stover
[D] Orchard prunings

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sugar cane] Explanation: Sugar cane is an example of starch crops biomass feedstocks. Biomass feedstocks include forest product waste, agricultural residues, organic fractions of municipal solid waste, paper, cardboard, plastics, food waste, green waste, and other wastes.

Sugar crops to produce __
[A] biomethane
[B] bioethanol
[C] biobutanol
[D] None of these

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [bioethanol] Explanation: Bioethanol is produced by fermentation of residues from corn, potatoes, cereals, sugar beets, sugarcane and vegetables.

Which metal microparticles are used in gene guns?
[A] Aurum
[B] Nitrogen
[C] Magnesium
[D] Cuprum

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Aurum] Explanation: The gene gun technique uses gold-coated microparticles along with the DNA. Aurum is a Latin word for gold. The other metal used for this technique is tungsten.

What is the process of regulating body fluids and their composition?
[A] Secretion
[B] Reabsorption
[C] Glomerular Filteration
[D] Osmoregulation

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Osmoregulation] Notes: Osmoregulation is the process of regulating body fluids and their composition.

What are the parts of the stomach’s anatomy?
[A] Fundus
[B] Antrum
[C] Pylorus
[D] All of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above] Notes: Cardia, fundus, corpus, antrum, and pylorus are the parts of the stomach’s anatomy.

Which gland is also known as the emergency gland of the body?
[A] Thymus gland
[B] Thyroid gland
[C] Pineal gland
[D] Adrenal gland

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Adrenal gland] Notes: The adrenal gland is also known as the emergency gland of the body. These glands produce more than 150 hormones that control various functions in the body. The most famous is adrenaline, which triggers the flight or fight response.

A tube that allows urine to pass out of the body __
[A] Penis
[B] Urethra
[C] Scrotum
[D] All of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Urethra] Notes: A tube that allows urine to pass out of the body’s urethra. It is a long tube that runs through the penis.

The disease which has been eradicated ____:
[A] Mumps
[B] Smallpox
[C] Measles
[D] Chickenpox

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Smallpox] Notes: Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. After vaccination campaigns throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the WHO certified the global eradication of smallpox in 1979. Smallpox is one of two infectious diseases to have been eradicated, the other being Rinderpest.

The most serious air pollutant causing health hazard is ____:
[A] Ozone
[B] Sulphur dioxide
[C] Nitrogen oxide
[D] Carbon monoxide

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sulphur dioxide] Notes: Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is considered as the most serious single air pollutant causing health hazard, obstructing breathing. It always leads to airways inflammation, eye irritation, psychic alterations, pulmonary oedema, heart failure and circulatory collapse. It is also responsible for acid rain.

What is the other name for Vitamin B2?
[A] Dextrose
[B] Riboflavin
[C] Thiamine
[D] Haemoglobin

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Riboflavin] Notes: Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2 is an easily absorbed colored micronutrient with a key role in energy metabolism, and for the metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins.

The most suitable soil for the production of cotton is ____:
[A] Alluvial soil
[B] Well-drained soil
[C] Loamy soil
[D] Black lava soil

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Black lava soil] Notes: Black soil is most suitable for the cultivation of cotton. The deep and medium black lava soil of the Deccan and Malwa plateaus is considered ideal, though it can be grown on alluvial and red soil as well. The black cotton soil is also known as regur.

During inhalation, the ribs ____:
[A] Move inwards
[B] Move sideways
[C] Move upwards
[D] Move downwards

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Move upwards] Notes: The ribs help in the expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity (though that is primarily the function of the diaphragm). When we inhale, the ribs move up and outwards while the diaphragm moves down. An exact opposite movement occurs during exhalation when the ribs move down and inwards while the diaphragm moves up. The outward movement of the ribs during inhalation expands our chest cavity increasing the space to accommodate air that rushes to lungs, whereas the inward movement of the ribs helps the carbon dioxide filled air to be pushed out of the lungs.

What is the name of the hormone produced by the thymus gland?
[A] Thyroxine
[B] Thymosin
[C] Cytokinins
[D] Auxins

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thymosin] Notes: Thymosin is the hormone of the thymus. It stimulates the development of disease-fighting T cells. Throughout our childhood years, white blood cells called lymphocytes pass through the thymus, where they are transformed into T cells. Once T cells have fully matured in the thymus, they migrate to the lymph nodes throughout the body, where they aid the immune system in fighting disease.

What is the primary enzyme responsible for protein digestion in the stomach?
[A] Salivary amylase
[B] Trypsin
[C] Pepsin
[D] Pancreatic canal

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pepsin] Notes: Protein digestion initiates in the stomach through the action of pepsin, the active enzyme for protein breakdown. When pepsin acts on proteins, it cleaves the peptide bonds, breaking down the protein molecules into chains of amino acids known as polypeptides. These polypeptides are further digested in the small intestine with the assistance of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase.

To support a larger population on Earth, it is essential to consume more ___:
[A] Eggs
[B] Mutton
[C] Beef
[D] Plant products

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Plant products] Notes: Analyzing Earth’s carrying capacity involves calculating its net primary productivity (NPP), representing the total food resource available. Plant products, which are lower in the food chain, can sustain a larger population. Even with ongoing deforestation, plant products remain crucial in supporting an extended population base.

Which of the following is an example of a dicot seed?
[A] Rice
[B] Pulses
[C] Wheat
[D] Maize

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pulses] Notes: Pulses are dicots, characterized by having two cotyledons. Legumes, including pulses such as beans, peas, and lentils, fall under the category of dicot seeds due to the presence of two seeds within the seed coat.

The vector of Kala azar is ___:
[A] Culex mosquito
[B] Anopheles mosquito
[C] Tsetse fly
[D] Sand fly

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sand fly] Notes: Leishmaniasis (Kala azar) is transmitted by the bite of the female sandfly. This disease, the second-largest parasitic killer globally, involves the migration of the parasite to internal organs like the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, often leading to the host’s death if left untreated.

Resin is a product of ____:
[A] Grapes
[B] Rubber tree
[C] Coniferous trees
[D] Banyan tree

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Coniferous trees] Notes: Resin, in its most specific use, is a hydrocarbon secretion found in many plants, particularly coniferous trees. It differs from other liquid compounds like sap, latex, or mucilage that are inside or exuded by plants.

___ is the branch of Biology that deals with the structure of organisms and their organs:
[A] Anatomy
[B] Ecology
[C] Mycology
[D] Chronobiology

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Anatomy] Notes: Anatomy is a biological science branch concerned with identifying and describing the body structures of living organisms. Gross anatomy involves the study of major body structures through dissection and observation, primarily focusing on the human body.

The longest muscle in the human body is _____:
[A] Sartorius muscle
[B] Masseter muscle
[C] Stapedius muscle
[D] Gluteus Maximus muscle

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sartorius muscle] Notes: The Sartorius muscle holds the title of the longest muscle in the human body. This thin, superficial muscle runs along the thigh’s length in the anterior compartment, with its upper portion forming the lateral border of the femoral triangle.

What is the smallest bird in the world?
[A] Hummingbird
[B] Robin
[C] Finch
[D] Diamond Firetail

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hummingbird] Notes: The bee hummingbird, also known as Helena hummingbird, claims the title of the world’s smallest bird. Weighing around 2.6 g and measuring 6.1 cm for females, and 1.95 g and 5.5 cm for males, it is scarcely larger than a bee and is endemic to Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud.

Curcumin is isolated from _____:
[A] Garlic
[B] Turmeric
[C] Sunflower
[D] Rose flower

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Turmeric] Notes: Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid in turmeric, is a natural phenol responsible for the spice’s yellow color. Turmeric belongs to the ginger family, and curcuminoids are integral components of this popular Indian spice.

The major constituent of air is:
[A] Nitrogen
[B] Carbon dioxide
[C] Oxygen
[D] Hydrogen

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nitrogen] Notes: The major constituent of air is nitrogen (N2), constituting approximately 78% of the atmosphere. Oxygen (O2) follows at 21%, with trace amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), hydrogen (H2), argon (Ar), and helium (He) making up the remaining 1%. The composition may vary slightly depending on geographical locations.

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