Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Micrixalus fuscus (dusky torrent frog or brown tropical frog) is a species of small frog that is found in the dense forested hill streams in the Western Ghats.

Micrixalus saxicola (Malabar tropical frog, black torrent frog, small torrent frog, Jerdon’s olive-brown frog) is a species of frog of the Micrixalidae family and is found in the forest streams in the Western Ghats.

Notes:
Biodegradable waste is a type of waste which can be broken down, in a reasonable amount of time, into its base compounds by micro-organisms and other living things, regardless of what those compounds may be. Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and certain other animal products are organic in nature and thus can be degraded and be used as substrates for keratinase production.

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Waterborne diseases are conditions caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted in water as Cholera and Typhoid. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Typhoid fever is caused by bacterium Salmonella Typhi.

Notes:
The most abundant organic compound in the terrestrial environment is cellulose. A type of carbohydrate, cellulose contains chains of glucose rings. Providing strength and rigidity, cellulose forms the cell walls of plants. Cellulose is the primary constituent of wood, making this organic compound the most abundant one on the surface of the Earth.

Notes:
The Taj Mahal, is slowly turning brownish-yellow because of air pollution, also called “Marble cancer”. The Industries located in and around Agra especially the Mathura oil refinery have been responsible for producing pollutants. Emissions of sulphur dioxide around the Taj Mahal are twice the permissible levels. Now, researchers found 3% of the deposits to be black carbon, around 30% organic carbon (or brown carbon) and most of the rest dust. Black carbon is emitted by vehicles and other machines that burn fossil fuels.

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For the protection of coral reefs, the Gulf of Kutch was declared Marine National Park under the provisions of the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972. It is the first national marine park of India.

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Lichens can be used as air pollution indicators, especially of the concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. Air pollutants dissolved in rainwater, especially sulphur dioxide, can damage lichens, and prevent them from growing. This makes lichens natural indicators of air pollution.

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Denitrification is the biological conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas, nitric oxide or nitrous oxide. It involves nitrate reduction by bacterial species such as Pseudomonas and Clostridium, usually in anaerobic conditions that ultimately produces molecular nitrogen (N2). These bacteria use nitrate as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen during respiration.

Notes:
The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. It is 40 km2 (15.4 sq mi) in area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.

Notes:
Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina hosts the largest ice cap outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in 1937, spans over 726,927 hectares and is home to 47 active glaciers, including the well-known Perito Moreno Glacier. Divided by Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, the park holds the scenic Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in its northern segment. The park’s varied ecosystem sustains unique species and attracts over 688,000 visitors every year, making it a favorite among nature lovers and providing a crucial research site for scientists studying climate change.