UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies
Question 10: Science and Technology
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Non-function of lachrymal gland is an important symptom of deficiency of Vitamin A.
- 2.Deficiency of Vitamin B1 can lead to indigestion and heart enlargement.
- 3.Vitamin C deficiency can lead to pain in the muscles.
- 4.Deficiency of Vitamin D causes increased loss of Ca++ in urine.
Which of these statements given above are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Vitamin A deficiency dries the surface of the eye as tear secretion fails (xerophthalmia), along with night blindness. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency causes beriberi, with poor digestion and an enlarged heart. Vitamin C deficiency is scurvy, marked by bleeding gums and slow wound healing rather than muscle pain. Vitamin D deficiency reduces calcium absorption from the gut; it does not increase calcium loss in urine.
- 1. Failure of tear (lachrymal) secretion and dry eyes are signs of vitamin A deficiency.
- 2. Thiamine deficiency (beriberi) causes indigestion and heart enlargement.
- 3. Scurvy is mainly bleeding gums and poor healing, not muscle pain.
- 4. Vitamin D deficiency lowers calcium absorption; it does not raise urinary loss.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: Scurvy is mainly bleeding gums and poor healing, not muscle pain.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 2 or 4.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: statements 1 and 2 hold, 3 and 4 do not.
- (b) Includes statements 3 and 4, which are false, and drops 1.
- (c) Includes statements 3 and 4, which are false.
- (d) Statements 3 and 4 are false, so not all four can be correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2004, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.