Mineral Nutrition & Essential Elements — Practice Questions

Free NEET Biology multiple-choice questions on Mineral Nutrition & Essential Elements. Attempt each question and reveal the answer with a full explanation.

Simple goitre, characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland, is primarily caused by a dietary deficiency of which element? Iodine Calcium Iron Sodium Pinus seed cannot germinate and establish without fungal association. This is because : its seeds contain inhibitors that prevent germination. its embryo is immature. it has obligate association with mycorrhizae. it has very hard seed coat. The following metal ion activates many enzymes, participates in the oxidation of glucose to produce ATP and with Na, is responsible for the transmission of nerve signals. Copper Calcium Potassium Iron Which one of the following statements is correct? The daily requirement of Mg and Ca in the human body is estimated to be 0.2-0.3 g All enzymes that utilise ATP in phosphate transfer require Ca as the cofactor The bone in human body is an inert and unchanging substance Mg plays roles in neuromuscular function and interneuronal transmission Which micronutrient is essential for the biosynthesis of the amino acid Tryptophan, which is a precursor for Auxin synthesis? Zinc ( Zn ) Boron ( B ) Molybdenum ( Mo ) Copper ( Cu ) Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) increases blood calcium levels by acting on which of the following? Bones, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract Bones only Kidneys and muscles only Liver and pancreas The hormone Erythropoietin, which stimulates the formation of RBCs (erythropoiesis), is produced by: Juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney Alpha cells of the pancreas Adrenal cortex Anterior pituitary Under-production of hormones by the adrenal cortex alters carbohydrate metabolism causing acute weakness and fatigue, a condition known as: Addison's disease Cushing's syndrome Grave's disease Diabetes mellitus Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating the production of RBCs (Erythropoiesis) in response to low oxygen levels? Erythropoietin Thyroxine Cortisol Insulin The 'Grave's disease' (Exophthalmic goitre) is a form of hyperthyroidism characterized by: Protrusion of eyeballs Weight gain Slow heart rate Mental retardation In adults, hypersecretion of Growth Hormone (GH) typically leads to a condition characterized by severe disfigurement, especially of the face, called: Acromegaly Gigantism Cretinism Exophthalmic goitre In the phosphorus cycle, the 'gaseous exchanges' of phosphorus between organisms and the environment are: Negligible Highly significant Equal to carbon exchanges The primary mode of transfer Thyrocalcitonin (TCT), a protein hormone that regulates blood calcium levels, is secreted by which of the following? Thyroid gland Parathyroid gland Adrenal gland Thymus The process of mineralization by microorganisms helps in the release of: Inorganic nutrients from humus Inorganic nutrients from detritus and organic matter Organic nutrients from humus Organic nutrients from detritus The process of decomposition includes 'Mineralisation', which is defined as: The release of inorganic nutrients from humus by microbes The breakdown of detritus into smaller particles by earthworms The loss of water-soluble nutrients into the soil profile The accumulation of dark-colored amorphous substance Which of the following is a sedimentary nutrient cycle? Phosphorus cycle Carbon cycle Nitrogen cycle Oxygen cycle Phosphorus is a major constituent of nucleic acids, biological membranes, and cellular energy transfer systems. Its natural reservoir is: Rock Atmosphere Ocean water Animal bones Decomposition of detritus is a complex process. Which of the following conditions would result in the FASTEST rate of decomposition? Detritus rich in nitrogen and water-soluble substances like sugars Detritus rich in lignin and chitin Low temperature and anaerobic conditions High acidity and low moisture in the soil In the mutualistic relationship of Mycorrhiza, what is the primary benefit provided by the fungus to the plant? Absorption of essential minerals (especially phosphorus) from the soil Provision of energy-yielding carbohydrates Protection from all types of herbivores Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen During the process of decomposition, the process of humification leads to the accumulation of a dark-coloured amorphous substance called humus, which is: Highly resistant to microbial action Highly susceptible to microbial action A mineralized organic compound Quickly decomposed by bacteria Which step of decomposition involves the precipitation of water-soluble inorganic nutrients into the soil horizon as unavailable salts? Leaching Fragmentation Catabolism Humification Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and the roots of higher plants. The fungus helps the plant in: Absorption of phosphorus Fixation of Nitrogen Transpiration Photosynthesis Which of the following serves as the main reservoir of phosphorus in the phosphorus cycle? Rocks Ocean waters Atmosphere Dead organisms Which of the following is the correct starting point for a Detritus Food Chain (DFC)? Dead organic matter Living plants Phytoplankton Insects The process where fungi and bacteria degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances through extracellular enzymes is called: Catabolism Fragmentation Leaching Humification In the phosphorus cycle, phosphorus enters the biotic community primarily through: Roots of plants from soil solution Gaseous exchange through stomata Precipitation from the atmosphere Inhalation by animals Which property of humus makes it highly resistant to microbial action and serves as a reservoir of nutrients? Its colloidal nature and acidic pH Its high water solubility Its low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio Its rapid decomposition rate During the process of decomposition, what is the role of the 'Colloidal' nature of humus? It serves as a reservoir of nutrients It accelerates the growth of anaerobic bacteria It makes the soil more acidic to prevent fungal growth It facilitates the leaching of water-soluble inorganic salts Humus is a dark-colored amorphous substance produced during decomposition. It is important because it: Is highly resistant to microbial action and serves as a reservoir of nutrients Is easily degraded by bacteria to release energy quickly Prevents the leaching of water-soluble inorganic salts Is the primary source of food for tertiary consumers Which of the following describes the percentage of carbon that constitutes the dry weight of organisms? 49 percent 71 percent 20 percent 10 percent Humus is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate. It is further degraded by some microbes in a process called: Mineralisation Humification Catabolism Leaching Which of the following is a major difference between the Carbon cycle and the Phosphorus cycle? Phosphorus cycle lacks a significant gaseous exchange between organisms and the environment Carbon cycle is a sedimentary cycle, while Phosphorus is gaseous Atmospheric inputs of phosphorus through rainfall are much higher than carbon Phosphorus is released back into the atmosphere through respiration During decomposition, the humus formed is a dark-colored amorphous substance. Why is it considered a reservoir of nutrients? It is colloidal in nature and releases nutrients very slowly as it is highly resistant to microbial action It is easily broken down by bacteria to release minerals instantly It contains high amounts of water-soluble inorganic salts It consists entirely of living microbial biomass Which of the following is a sedimentary nutrient cycle? Sulphur cycle Carbon cycle Nitrogen cycle Oxygen cycle In the phosphorus cycle, the phosphorus is released from the rocks into the soil solution through the process of: Weathering Leaching Decomposition Volatilization In which of the following steps of decomposition are water-soluble inorganic nutrients lost to the soil horizon? Leaching Fragmentation Catabolism Humification During the process of decomposition, the step of 'Catabolism' is performed by: Bacterial and fungal enzymes Earthworms Termites Solar radiation The deficiencies of micronutrients, not only affects growth of plants but also vital functions such as photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron flow. Among the list given below, which group of three elements shall affect most, both photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron transport - Ca, K, Na Co, Ni, Mo Mn, Co, Ca Cu, Mn, Fe Sulphur is an important nutrient for optimum growth and productivity in- Pulse crops Cereals Fibre crops Oilseed crops In which of the following, all three are macronutrients? Boron, zinc, manganese Iron, copper, molybdenum Molybdenum, magnesium, manganese Nitrogen, nickel, phosphorus In which of the following forms is iron absorbed by plants? Free element Ferrous Ferric Both ferric and ferrous Match the following concerning essential elements and their functions in plants array ll (a) Iron & (i) Photolysis of water (b) Zinc & (ii) Pollen germination (c) Boron & (iii) Required for chlorophyll biosynthesis (d) Manganese & (iv) IAA biosynthesis array Select the correct option (iv) (iii) (ii) (i) (iii) (iv) (ii) (i) (iv) (i) (ii) (iii) (ii) (i) (iv) (iii) Match List-I with List-II array llll ; & List-I & ; & List-II (a) & Manganese & (i) & Activates the enzyme catalase (b) & Magnesium & (ii) & Required for pollen germination (c) & Boron & (iii) & Activates enzymes of respiration (d) & Iron & (iv) & Functions in splitting of water during photosynthesis array Choose the correct answer from the options given below : (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i) (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii) (a)-(iii), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iv) (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii) Match List I with List II: array ll List I & List II A. Iron & I. Synthesis of auxin B. Zinc & II. Component of nitrate reductase C. Boron & III. Activator of catalase D. Molybdenum & IV. Cell elongation and differentiation array Choose the correct answer from the options given below: A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III A plant requires magnesium for protein synthesis chlorophyll synthesis cell wall development holding cells together. Which one of the following elements is not an essential micronutrient for plant growth? Zn Cu Ca Mn Deficiency symptoms of nitrogen and potassium are visible first in : Senescent leaves Young leaves Roots Buds Name the element which is the main constituent of the ring structure of chlorophyll and helps to maintain the ribosome structure Phosphorus Calcium Magnesium Nitrogen Which of the following elements is responsible for maintaining turgor in cells? Potassium Sodium Magnesium Calcium