Nutrition MCQs

Introduction...

The MCQ questions on nutrition in medical biochemistry per the DCI (Dental Council of India) and MCI (Medical Council of India) syllabi typically revolve around the biochemical role of nutrients, metabolism, and the importance of balanced nutrition in health and disease.

AIM: These questions test a student's understanding of key nutritional principles, including macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), their metabolism, and how deficiencies or excesses can lead to medical conditions.

Key areas covered in MCQs include:
  1. Dietary recommendations are based on metabolic requirements, which vary by age, activity level, and health status.

  2. Malnutrition and its impact on health: Deficiency diseases such as kwashiorkor and marasmus and conditions caused by overnutrition like obesity and metabolic syndrome.

  3. Biochemical basis of clinical nutrition therapy: The importance of nutritional interventions in disease states, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer.

                                         This subject helps medical and dental students integrate nutrition knowledge into clinical practice, guiding patient care in preventing and managing nutritional disorders.

MacBook Pro near white open book
MacBook Pro near white open book
person writing on white paper
person writing on white paper
Here are some Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on Nutrition, based on the Medical Council of India (MCI) syllabus for biochemistry. The questions are categorized into key nutrition topics.

1. General Concepts in Nutrition

Q1: Which of the following is the primary energy source in the human diet?
a) Proteins
b) Fats
c) Carbohydrates
d) Vitamins
Q2: The caloric value of 1 gram of protein is:
a) 2 kcal
b) 4 kcal
c) 7 kcal
d) 9 kcal
Q3: Which of the following is an essential fatty acid?
a) Palmitic acid
b) Linoleic acid
c) Stearic acid
d) Oleic acid

2. Macronutrients

Q4: Which of the following amino acids is essential in the diet?
a) Glycine
b) Alanine
c) Lysine
d) Glutamine
Q5: A diet deficient in protein but adequate in calories can result in:
a) Marasmus
b) Kwashiorkor
c) Scurvy
d) Beriberi
Q6: The most abundant component in the human body is:
a) Protein
b) Lipids
c) Water
d) Carbohydrates

3. Micronutrients

Q7: Which vitamin is essential for the synthesis of collagen?
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin D
c) Vitamin C
d) Vitamin E
Q8: The deficiency of which vitamin leads to night blindness?
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin B12
c) Vitamin C
d) Vitamin K
Q9: Which mineral is required for the activation of thrombin in blood clotting?
a) Calcium
b) Iron
c) Magnesium
d) Potassium
Q10: A deficiency of iodine leads to:
a) Anemia
b) Goiter
c) Scurvy
d) Rickets

4. Metabolism and Disorders

Q11: Which of the following is a ketogenic amino acid?
a) Leucine
b) Valine
c) Glycine
d) Serine
Q12: The inability to metabolize phenylalanine results in:
a) Alkaptonuria
b) Phenylketonuria (PKU)
c) Maple Syrup Urine Disease
d) Homocystinuria
Q13: Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of:
a) Vitamin B1
b) Niacin
c) Riboflavin
d) Folic acid

5. Nutritional Assessment

Q14: Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated as:
a) Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m)
b) Weight (kg) ÷ Height² (m²)
c) Weight (kg) × Height (m)
d) Height² (m²) ÷ Weight (kg)
Q15: The gold standard for assessing protein status in the body is:
a) Serum albumin levels
b) Serum creatinine levels
c) Nitrogen balance
d) Hemoglobin levels

6. Nutrition in Clinical Conditions

Q16: A patient with Vitamin K deficiency is likely to present with:
a) Neuropathy
b) Bleeding disorders
c) Hypercalcemia
d) Muscle weakness
Q17: In Type 1 diabetes, the diet should include:
a) High carbohydrates
b) Low protein
c) Controlled carbohydrates
d) High-fat content
Q18: Which nutrient supplementation is crucial during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects?
a) Iron
b) Folic acid
c) Calcium
d) Vitamin D