UCAT General Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which blood type is known as the 'universal donor'?
- AB positive
- O negative (Correct answer)
- A positive
- B negative
Correct answer: O negative
O negative red blood cells lack A, B, and Rh antigens, making them compatible with all blood types in emergency situations.
Question 2: What percentage of the human body is made up of water?
- Around 20%
- Around 40%
- Around 60% (Correct answer)
- Around 80%
Correct answer: Around 60%
Water makes up approximately 60% of total adult body weight, though this varies by age, sex, and body composition.
Question 3: Which of the following is a communicable disease?
- Type 1 diabetes
- Tuberculosis (Correct answer)
- Osteoporosis
- Alzheimer's disease
Correct answer: Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets.
Question 4: What is the role of red blood cells?
- Fight infection
- Transport oxygen (Correct answer)
- Clot blood
- Produce antibodies
Correct answer: Transport oxygen
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the lungs and delivers it to tissues throughout the body.
Question 5: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for balance and coordination?
- Cerebrum
- Medulla oblongata
- Cerebellum (Correct answer)
- Hypothalamus
Correct answer: Cerebellum
The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and fine motor control.
Question 6: Which element is most abundant in the Earth's atmosphere?
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
- Argon
- Nitrogen (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Nitrogen
Nitrogen makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, with oxygen comprising about 21%.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a placebo?
- A drug that causes side effects
- An inert substance given as a control treatment (Correct answer)
- A vaccine administered preventively
- A high-dose medication used in emergencies
Correct answer: An inert substance given as a control treatment
A placebo is an inactive treatment (e.g., sugar pill) used in clinical trials as a control to distinguish real drug effects from psychological responses.
UCAT General Knowledge 3
Which blood type is known as the 'universal donor'?