Food, Nutrition and Digestion MCQs

Solved Everyday Science MCQs on nutrients and their functions, sources of vitamins and minerals, malnutrition diseases and the human digestive system.

1. 1

   Which nutrient is the body's main source of quick energy?

   AVitaminsBProteinsCCarbohydratesDMinerals

   Correct answer: C. Carbohydrates

   Carbohydrates from foods like wheat, rice and potatoes are broken down into glucose for energy.

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2. 2

   Which nutrient is mainly needed for growth and repair of body tissues?

   AFibreBProteinsCFatsDCarbohydrates

   Correct answer: B. Proteins

   Proteins from meat, eggs, milk and lentils (daal) build and repair muscles and tissues.

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3. 3

   Which mineral is most important for strong bones and teeth?

   ASodiumBIodineCCalciumDIron

   Correct answer: C. Calcium

   Calcium, found in milk, yoghurt and cheese, builds bones and teeth. Vitamin D helps the body absorb it.

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4. 4

   Dietary fibre is important mainly because it:

   ACarries oxygenBHelps digestion and prevents constipationCProvides most of our energyDBuilds muscles

   Correct answer: B. Helps digestion and prevents constipation

   Fibre from fruits, vegetables and whole grains keeps the digestive system healthy.

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5. 5

   Kwashiorkor, a disease of malnutrition in children, is caused mainly by a lack of:

   AWaterBProteinCIodineDVitamin C

   Correct answer: B. Protein

   Kwashiorkor causes swelling and stunted growth. Marasmus results from a severe lack of overall calories.

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6. 6

   Which fruit is a particularly rich source of vitamin C?

   ABananaBGuavaCGrapeDDate

   Correct answer: B. Guava

   Guava and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which prevents scurvy.

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7. 7

   Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into:

   AVitamin ABVitamin B12CVitamin CDVitamin K

   Correct answer: A. Vitamin A

   Vitamin A is important for healthy eyes. Its deficiency causes night blindness.

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8. 8

   The energy value of food is commonly measured in:

   ACalories (kilocalories)BNewtonsCGramsDWatts

   Correct answer: A. Calories (kilocalories)

   Food labels show energy in kilocalories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ).

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9. 9

   A diet that contains all nutrients in the right proportions is called a:

   AJunk dietBCrash dietCLiquid dietDBalanced diet

   Correct answer: D. Balanced diet

   A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water in suitable amounts.

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10. 10

    Digestion of food begins in the:

    ALarge intestineBStomachCSmall intestineDMouth

    Correct answer: D. Mouth

    Chewing breaks food down, and the enzyme amylase in saliva starts digesting starch.

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12. 11

    The enzyme in saliva that begins the digestion of starch is:

    APepsinBTrypsinCAmylaseDLipase

    Correct answer: C. Amylase

    Salivary amylase breaks starch into sugars. Pepsin in the stomach digests proteins.

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13. 12

    Pepsin, an enzyme in the stomach, digests:

    AStarchBFibreCFatsDProteins

    Correct answer: D. Proteins

    Pepsin works in the acidic conditions of the stomach to break proteins into smaller pieces.

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14. 13

    Most absorption of digested food into the blood takes place in the:

    ASmall intestineBLarge intestineCOesophagusDStomach

    Correct answer: A. Small intestine

    The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like villi that give a huge surface area for absorption.

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15. 14

    Bile, which helps digest fats, is produced by the:

    ALiverBPancreasCKidneysDStomach

    Correct answer: A. Liver

    The liver makes bile, and the gallbladder stores it until it is released into the small intestine.

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16. 15

    Bile is stored in the:

    AAppendixBPancreasCGallbladderDLiver

    Correct answer: C. Gallbladder

    The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile made by the liver.

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17. 16

    The main function of the large intestine is to absorb:

    AVitamins A and D onlyBFatsCProteinsDWater

    Correct answer: D. Water

    The large intestine absorbs water and salts from undigested food before it is passed out as waste.

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18. 17

    Roughly what percentage of an adult human body is water?

    AAbout 20%BAbout 40%CAbout 60%DAbout 90%

    Correct answer: C. About 60%

    Water makes up around 60% of an adult's body weight and is essential for nearly every body function.

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19. 18

    Which mineral is needed to make haemoglobin in red blood cells?

    ACalciumBZincCIronDPotassium

    Correct answer: C. Iron

    Iron is part of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen. Lack of iron causes anaemia.

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20. 19

    Which vitamin is found almost only in animal foods, so strict vegetarians may need supplements?

    AVitamin B12BVitamin CCVitamin KDVitamin E

    Correct answer: A. Vitamin B12

    Vitamin B12, needed for nerves and red blood cells, comes mainly from meat, fish, eggs and milk.

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21. 20

    The muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach is the:

    ADuodenumBOesophagus (food pipe)CTrachea (windpipe)DPharynx only

    Correct answer: B. Oesophagus (food pipe)

    The oesophagus moves food down by waves of muscle contraction called peristalsis.

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