1998 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 122: Science and Technology
Ergotism is due to consumption of
acontaminated grains
brotting vegetables
ccontaminated water
dstale cooked food
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Ergotism is poisoning caused by eating grain, especially rye, contaminated with the fungus Claviceps purpurea (ergot). The alkaloids in ergot constrict blood vessels and affect the nervous system, causing gangrene, convulsions and hallucinations; it was known in the Middle Ages as St Anthony's fire. It is not caused by water, vegetables or stale food.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: grain contaminated with the ergot fungus.
- (b) Rotting vegetables do not cause ergotism.
- (c) Contaminated water causes diseases such as cholera, not ergotism.
- (d) Stale cooked food causes food poisoning, not ergotism.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.