Introduction to Food Science MCQs January 8, 2026May 31, 2024 by u930973931_answers 50 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. 1. What is the primary focus of food science? (A) Studying the culture of food (B) Analyzing food myths (C) Understanding the nature, composition, and behavior of foods (D) Evaluating food marketing strategies 2. 2. Which nutrient is most abundant in the human body? (A) Carbohydrates (B) Fats (C) Proteins (D) Water 3. 3. The Maillard reaction is primarily responsible for which food characteristic? (A) Color changes in fruits (B) Browning of bread during baking (C) Spoilage of dairy products (D) Fermentation of vegetables 4. 4. What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the diet? (A) Provide energy (B) Build muscle (C) Repair tissues (D) Enhance flavor 5. 5. Which food component is responsible for the sensation of umami? (A) Glucose (B) Sodium chloride (C) Glutamate (D) Sucrose 6. 6. What is pasteurization? (A) A process of freezing food to preserve it (B) A method of cooking food using steam (C) A heat treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms in food (D) A technique for enhancing the flavor of food 7. 7. Which vitamin is known as ascorbic acid? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin C (C) Vitamin D (D) Vitamin K 8. 8. Which mineral is essential for the formation of hemoglobin in blood? (A) Calcium (B) Iron (C) Magnesium (D) Zinc 9. 9. What is the primary purpose of food additives? (A) Improve nutritional value (B) Enhance flavor and appearance (C) Increase food production (D) Extend shelf life and safety 10. 10. Which microorganism is commonly used in the production of yogurt? (A) Escherichia coli (B) Lactobacillus bulgaricus (C) Staphylococcus aureus (D) Salmonella enterica 11. 11. What is the main benefit of dietary fiber? (A) Provides energy (B) Builds muscle (C) Aids in digestion and prevents constipation (D) Enhances flavor 12. 12. Which process involves the conversion of sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide? (A) Pasteurization (B) Fermentation (C) Emulsification (D) Hydrolysis 13. 13. Which vitamin is crucial for blood clotting? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin E (C) Vitamin K (D) Vitamin D 14. 14. What is the main source of trans fats in the diet? (A) Olive oil (B) Fish (C) Partially hydrogenated oils (D) Fruits 15. 15. Which food preservation method uses salt or sugar to draw out moisture? (A) Canning (B) Drying (C) Smoking (D) Curing 16. 16. Which foodborne pathogen is commonly associated with undercooked poultry? (A) Escherichia coli (B) Listeria monocytogenes (C) Campylobacter jejuni (D) Clostridium botulinum 17. 17. What is the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber for adults? (A) 5-10 grams (B) 10-15 grams (C) 25-30 grams (D) 35-40 grams 18. 18. What does the term “fortification” refer to in food science? (A) Removing harmful substances from food (B) Adding nutrients to food to improve its nutritional value (C) Enhancing the flavor of food (D) Extending the shelf life of food 19. 19. Which fatty acid is essential for human health and must be obtained from the diet? (A) Saturated fatty acids (B) Monounsaturated fatty acids (C) Trans fatty acids (D) Omega-3 fatty acids 20. 20. What is a primary function of proteins in the body? (A) Provide energy (B) Build and repair tissues (C) Enhance flavor (D) Store genetic information 21. 21. Which vitamin is synthesized by the human body when exposed to sunlight? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin B12 (C) Vitamin D (D) Vitamin E 22. 22. Which foodborne illness is caused by the ingestion of preformed toxins? (A) Botulism (B) Salmonellosis (C) Listeriosis (D) Hepatitis A 23. 23. What is the role of antioxidants in food? (A) Increase shelf life by preventing oxidation (B) Enhance flavor (C) Improve texture (D) Promote fermentation 24. 24. What is the process of removing water from food called? (A) Fermentation (B) Pasteurization (C) Dehydration (D) Emulsification 25. 25. Which nutrient is most important for maintaining healthy vision? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin C (C) Vitamin E (D) Vitamin K 26. 26. Which preservation method involves heating food to high temperatures to kill microorganisms? (A) Freezing (B) Canning (C) Dehydration (D) Salting 27. 27. What is the term for the alteration of food’s genetic material? (A) Pasteurization (B) Fortification (C) Genetic modification (D) Fermentation 28. 28. Which enzyme breaks down starches into sugars? (A) Lipase (B) Protease (C) Amylase (D) Lactase 29. 29. Which food is a good source of probiotics? (A) Yogurt (B) Bread (C) Apples (D) Spinach 30. 30. What is the main purpose of blanching vegetables before freezing them? (A) Enhance color and flavor (B) Kill bacteria and other pathogens (C) Reduce cooking time (D) Inactivate enzymes that cause spoilage 31. 31. Which substance is commonly used to thicken sauces and soups? (A) Salt (B) Sugar (C) Cornstarch (D) Baking soda 32. 32. Which vitamin deficiency can lead to scurvy? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin B12 (C) Vitamin C (D) Vitamin D 33. 33. Which type of microorganism is yeast? (A) Bacteria (B) Virus (C) Fungus (D) Protozoa 34. 34. What is the primary purpose of emulsifiers in food? (A) Preserve color (B) Enhance flavor (C) Improve texture by stabilizing mixtures (D) Increase shelf life 35. 35. What is the main function of lipids in the diet? (A) Build and repair tissues (B) Provide energy and store fat-soluble vitamins (C) Enhance flavor (D) Improve digestion 36. 36. Which element is a key component of amino acids? (A) Carbon (B) Hydrogen (C) Nitrogen (D) Oxygen 37. 37. What is the main source of lactose? (A) Fruits (B) Vegetables (C) Milk and dairy products (D) Grains 38. 38. Which foodborne pathogen is often associated with improperly canned foods? (A) Escherichia coli (B) Salmonella enterica (C) Clostridium botulinum (D) Listeria monocytogenes 39. 39. Which process is used to make cheese? (A) Fermentation (B) Dehydration (C) Emulsification (D) Pasteurization 40. 40. What is the primary benefit of consuming whole grains? (A) Improved flavor (B) Higher fiber content (C) Increased protein (D) Enhanced fat content 41. 41. Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption in the body? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin B12 (C) Vitamin D (D) Vitamin E 42. 42. What is the most common sugar found in fruits? (A) Glucose (B) Sucrose (C) Fructose (D) Lactose 43. 43. Which technique is used to detect foodborne pathogens in a laboratory setting? (A) Spectrophotometry (B) Chromatography (C) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (D) Mass spectrometry 44. 44. What is the purpose of homogenization in milk processing? (A) Kill harmful bacteria (B) Enhance flavor (C) Prevent separation of cream (D) Increase nutritional value 45. 45. Which mineral is important for strong bones and teeth? (A) Iron (B) Magnesium (C) Calcium (D) Potassium 46. 46. Which food processing technique involves the use of gamma rays? (A) Pasteurization (B) Irradiation (C) Fermentation (D) Blanching 47. 47. What is the main function of dietary protein? (A) Provide energy (B) Enhance flavor (C) Build and repair body tissues (D) Improve digestion 48. 48. Which vitamin is water-soluble? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin D (C) Vitamin E (D) Vitamin C 49. 49. What is the process of fermenting cabbage to make sauerkraut called? (A) Pasteurization (B) Curing (C) Lactobacillus fermentation (D) Emulsification 50. 50. Which food preservation method is based on low temperatures? (A) Canning (B) Smoking (C) Freezing (D) Drying