UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I
Question 38: Science and Technology
Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :
- 1.Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
- 2.The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
- 3.Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Probiotics are live microorganisms that benefit health when ingested. They include bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii, so statement 1 is true. Many of these organisms also occur naturally in the human gut, so statement 2 is wrong. Some probiotic strains help digest lactose, the milk sugar.
- 1. Probiotics include both bacteria and yeasts.
- 2. Probiotic species such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium also live naturally in the gut.
- 3. Some strains aid digestion of lactose.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Probiotics include both bacteria and yeasts.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Some strains aid digestion of lactose.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
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) Wrong. Statement 3 on milk sugar digestion is also correct.
- (b) Wrong. Probiotic organisms do occur naturally in the gut.
- (c) Correct. Statements 1 and 3 hold.
- (d) Wrong. Statement 2 is false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.