Life Processes: Nutrition, Digestion — 50 MCQs

Q1. A student chews a piece of boiled rice for 60 seconds and notices it tastes sweet. Which component of saliva is responsible for this change?

Beginner

A A digestive juice that breaks starch into sugar

B Bile that breaks fats into droplets

C An acid that kills harmful bacteria

D Mucus that moistens the food

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q2. In Activity 9.1, test tube A contains plain boiled rice and test tube B contains rice chewed for 30–60 seconds. After adding iodine solution, what is observed?

Beginner

A A shows no change; B turns blue-black

B Both A and B turn blue-black equally

C Both A and B remain colourless

D A turns blue-black; B shows little or no colour change

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q3. Which part of the human alimentary canal is the longest?

Beginner

A Small intestine

B Large intestine

C Stomach

D Oesophagus

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q4. A cow is seen chewing even when not grazing. This is because it is a ruminant. What happens during rumination?

Beginner

A Food is broken down in a gizzard using grit

B Food is filtered through gills

C Food is absorbed directly through moist skin

D Partially digested food returns to the mouth for thorough chewing

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q5. Which structure do birds use to break down food, often with the help of small stones they swallow?

Beginner

A Gizzard

B Alveoli

C Villi

D Rumen

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q6. During inhalation, what happens to the diaphragm and ribs?

Beginner

A Diaphragm moves up; ribs move down and inwards

B Diaphragm moves down; ribs move down and inwards

C Diaphragm moves down; ribs move up and outwards

D Diaphragm moves up; ribs move up and outwards

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q7. A student blows exhaled air through lime water using a straw. The lime water turns milky. What does this demonstrate?

Beginner

A Inhaled air contains more carbon dioxide than exhaled air

B Exhaled air contains more oxygen than inhaled air

C Exhaled air contains more carbon dioxide than inhaled air

D Exhaled air contains no carbon dioxide

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q8. Which of these is a secondary sexual characteristic?

Beginner

A Maturation of reproductive organs

B Production of hormones

C Onset of the menstrual cycle

D Growth of facial hair in boys

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q9. The small intestine is about 6 metres long — almost twice the height of a classroom — making it the longest part of the alimentary canal.

Beginner

A True

B False

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q10. What type of carbohydrate is found in chapati and boiled rice that begins to taste sweet when chewed?

Beginner

A Starch

B Fat

C Sugar

D Protein

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q11. What is the primary function of the saliva in the mouth during digestion?

Beginner

A To kill bacteria

B To absorb nutrients

C To break down starch

D To moisten food

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q12. Which part of the alimentary canal is responsible for the absorption of nutrients?

Beginner

A Oesophagus

B Large intestine

C Stomach

D Small intestine

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q13. What is the role of the oesophagus in the digestive system?

Beginner

A To absorb nutrients

B To push food to the stomach

C To break down food

D To store waste

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q14. What is the main function of the large intestine?

Beginner

A To digest proteins

B To break down fats

C To produce bile

D To absorb water and form stool

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q15. What is rumination in ruminants like cows?

Beginner

A Absorbing nutrients

B Swallowing food whole

C Digesting food in the stomach

D Chewing food thoroughly

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q16. What is the function of bile in the digestive process?

Beginner

A To neutralize stomach acid

B To break down proteins

C To produce saliva

D To absorb nutrients

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q17. Which structure in the lungs is responsible for gas exchange?

Beginner

A Alveoli

B Trachea

C Diaphragm

D Bronchi

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q18. What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?

Beginner

A It expands and pushes air out

B It contracts and moves downwards

C It relaxes and moves sideways

D It moves upwards

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q19. What is the primary difference between breathing and respiration?

Beginner

A Breathing is the exchange of gases

B Breathing is the physical process of inhaling and exhaling

C Respiration is a physical process

D Breathing is a chemical process

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q20. Riya is 12 and has developed pimples on her face. Her mother says this is due to biological changes. What is the actual cause?

Intermediate

A Excess iron in the blood

B Deficiency of vitamin B12 in the diet

C Enlargement of the voice box

D Increased oily secretions clog skin pores and cause infection

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q21. Why does the stomach not digest itself?

Intermediate

A The stomach lining is made of protein that resists acid

B Mucus protects the stomach lining from the acid

C The stomach does not produce any acid

D Bile neutralises all the acid in the stomach

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q22. A patient has a condition where the inner lining of the small intestine is damaged and cannot absorb nutrients properly. Which function is most directly affected?

Intermediate

A Absorption of digested nutrients into the blood

B Absorption of water and salts from undigested food

C Mechanical digestion of food by chewing

D Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q23. Assertion (A): Bile is mildly basic in nature. Reason (R): Bile neutralises acids present in food moving down from the stomach and breaks fats into tiny droplets.

Intermediate

A A is true but R is false

B Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A

C Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A

D A is false but R is true

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q24. Which statement correctly distinguishes breathing from respiration?

Intermediate

A Both are chemical processes occurring in cells

B Breathing is chemical; respiration is physical

C Breathing is physical; respiration is chemical

D Both are physical processes occurring in the lungs

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q25. A fish is taken out of water and kept on land. It dies quickly even though air has more oxygen than water. Why?

Intermediate

A Its lungs cannot expand without water

B Its gills cannot exchange gases with air and collapse

C Its diaphragm stops moving without water

D Its skin dries up and stops all respiration

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q26. A 13-year-old boy's voice becomes hoarse and a bump appears on his throat. What is this bump called and why does it appear?

Intermediate

A Adam's apple; caused by growth of the voice box

B Pimple; caused by skin infection

C Goitre; caused by iodine deficiency

D Acne; caused by oily secretions

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q27. What is the main reason chapati tastes sweet after chewing it for a while?

Intermediate

A The heat from chewing caramelizes the starch.

B The chapati contains natural sugars.

C The saliva breaks down starch into sugar.

D The saliva adds flavor to the chapati.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q28. How does the structure of the small intestine facilitate nutrient absorption?

Intermediate

A It has thick walls that slow down digestion.

B It has a smooth lining to prevent nutrient loss.

C It secretes bile to break down fats.

D It is covered with finger-like projections to increase surface area.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q29. What role does the oesophagus play in the digestive process?

Intermediate

A It mechanically breaks down food.

B It absorbs nutrients from food.

C It secretes digestive enzymes.

D It pushes food to the stomach through wave-like contractions.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q30. In the context of digestion, what is the significance of the liver's secretion of bile?

Intermediate

A It produces digestive enzymes for protein breakdown.

B It absorbs nutrients from digested food.

C It neutralizes stomach acid and emulsifies fats.

D It breaks down carbohydrates into sugars.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q31. What is the primary function of the large intestine in the digestive system?

Intermediate

A To produce digestive enzymes.

B To absorb water and form stool.

C To digest proteins and carbohydrates.

D To absorb nutrients from food.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q32. How does the process of rumination benefit ruminants like cows?

Intermediate

A It allows them to digest food more quickly.

B It enables them to thoroughly chew and digest fibrous plant material.

C It helps them absorb nutrients more efficiently.

D It prevents them from swallowing harmful substances.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q33. What is the primary difference between breathing and respiration?

Intermediate

A Breathing occurs in the lungs; respiration occurs in the heart.

B Breathing is a physical process; respiration is a chemical process.

C Breathing involves gas exchange; respiration does not.

D Breathing is a chemical process; respiration is physical.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q34. Why does the stomach not digest itself despite the presence of strong acids?

Intermediate

A The acid is neutralized before it can harm the stomach.

B It secretes mucus that protects the lining from acid.

C It has a thick outer layer that protects it.

D The stomach has no digestive enzymes.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q35. What happens to the food in the stomach during digestion?

Intermediate

A It is neutralized by bile.

B It is churned and mixed with digestive juices.

C It is broken down by teeth.

D It is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q36. How do the adaptations in the respiratory systems of different animals reflect their habitats?

Intermediate

A All animals breathe through lungs regardless of habitat.

B Terrestrial animals only use skin for gas exchange.

C All animals have the same respiratory adaptations.

D Aquatic animals use gills to extract oxygen from water.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q37. If a person chews a piece of chapati for 60 seconds, which of the following processes is primarily responsible for the change in taste from bland to sweet?

Advanced

A Fermentation by bacteria in the mouth

B Absorption of sugar in the mouth

C Mechanical digestion by teeth

D Chemical digestion by saliva

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q38. During the digestive process, which sequence correctly describes the journey of food from ingestion to absorption?

Advanced

A Stomach → Small Intestine → Mouth → Oesophagus

B Mouth → Oesophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine

C Mouth → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine

D Small Intestine → Mouth → Stomach → Large Intestine

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q39. In the context of digestion, what role does bile play when it reaches the small intestine?

Advanced

A It emulsifies fats into smaller droplets

B It digests carbohydrates into sugars

C It absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream

D It neutralizes stomach acid without any other function

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q40. If a cow spends 8 hours a day chewing, what is the significance of this behavior in relation to its digestive process?

Advanced

A It prevents the absorption of nutrients

B It enables thorough mechanical digestion of fibrous food

C It reduces the need for saliva production

D It allows for faster digestion in the stomach

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q41. In the process of respiration, which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between inhaled and exhaled air?

Advanced

A Inhaled air is completely used up during respiration

B Inhaled air contains more carbon dioxide than exhaled air

C Exhaled air has a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than inhaled air

D Exhaled air has a higher concentration of oxygen than inhaled air

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q42. If a piece of chapati is chewed for 60 seconds, what is the primary reason for the change in taste from bland to sweet?

Advanced

A The saliva contains enzymes that break down starch into sugar.

B The chapati absorbs moisture from the saliva.

C The chapati undergoes a physical change due to chewing.

D The temperature of the chapati increases during chewing.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q43. During digestion, what is the role of bile secreted by the liver when it reaches the small intestine?

Advanced

A It breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

B It initiates protein digestion.

C It neutralizes stomach acid and emulsifies fats.

D It absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q44. What would happen to nutrient absorption if the small intestine's surface area were significantly reduced?

Advanced

A Nutrient absorption would increase due to faster transit time.

B Nutrient absorption would remain unchanged.

C Nutrient absorption would decrease due to reduced contact area.

D Nutrient absorption would depend solely on enzyme activity.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q45. If a cow spends 8 hours a day chewing, what is the significance of this behavior in terms of its digestive process?

Advanced

A It facilitates rumination, allowing for thorough breakdown of cellulose.

B It allows for better mechanical digestion of food.

C It prevents the cow from consuming too much food at once.

D It helps in the absorption of nutrients directly in the mouth.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q46. In the context of the alimentary canal, what is the primary function of the large intestine?

Advanced

A It digests proteins and carbohydrates.

B It secretes digestive enzymes.

C It absorbs water and forms semi-solid waste.

D It is the main site for nutrient absorption.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q47. How does the structure of the alveoli facilitate gas exchange in the lungs?

Advanced

A They are thick-walled to prevent air leakage.

B They have a large surface area and thin walls for efficient diffusion.

C They are surrounded by muscle to control airflow.

D They are filled with blood to absorb oxygen directly.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q48. What is the main difference between breathing and respiration in terms of their processes?

Advanced

A Breathing is involuntary; respiration is voluntary.

B Breathing is a chemical process; respiration is a physical process.

C Breathing involves gas exchange; respiration involves energy production.

D Breathing occurs in the lungs; respiration occurs in the heart.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q49. If a person has a condition where the inner lining of the small intestine is damaged, which function is most directly affected?

Advanced

A Mechanical digestion of food.

B Transportation of food through the alimentary canal.

C Secretion of digestive enzymes.

D Absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Q50. What role does the oesophagus play in the digestive process, particularly when a person is lying down?

Advanced

A It relies on gravity to push food down.

B It secretes digestive juices for food breakdown.

C It absorbs nutrients from food.

D It uses peristaltic movements to push food to the stomach.

Answers and explanations are in the Veda app.

Life Processes: Nutrition, Digestion & Adolescence: 50 MCQs

Warm-up · 19 questions

Building up · 17 questions

Topper level · 14 questions

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