Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Green House Effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric green house gases and is re-radiated in all directions. It results an increase in average temp of the planet.

Notes:
Photosynthesis in plants converts radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose (sugar) using electrons and protons from water. Plants take in water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight and turn them into glucose and oxygen. Water (6H2O) + Carbon Dioxide (6CO2) + Sunlight (Radiant Energy) = Glucose (C6H12O6) + Oxygen (6O2).

Notes:
Biotic components are the living things that shape an ecosystem. Examples of biotic components include animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Abiotic components are non-living components that influence an ecosystem. Examples of abiotic factors are temperature, air currents, and minerals.

Notes:
Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the heart and brain. When CO is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen carrying haemoglobin of the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Once combined with the haemoglobin, that haemoglobin is no longer available for transporting oxygen.

Notes:
Ecological sanitation is a sustainable system for handling human excreta, using dry composting toilets. This is a practical, hygienic, efficient and cost-effective solution to human waste disposal. With this composting method, human excreta can be recycled into a resource (as natural fertiliser), which reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.

Notes:
Blowing or moving air is called wind. The speed of wind may vary from 5-10 km/h (gentle breeze) to 700-800 km/h (tornado). The speed and direction of wind is affected by the following factors :

• Location on the earth
• Rotation of the earth
• Local conditions
• Height from the ground

Notes:
By volume, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% Argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide and small amount of other gases. Air also contains variable amount of water vapour, on average around 1% at sealevel and 0.4% over the entire atmosphere.

Notes:
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) uses a color-coded alert system for weather events. A green alert indicates no action is required. A yellow alert signals potential rainfall of 6-11 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert indicates heavy rainfall of 6-20 cm. A red alert warns of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in a 24-hour period.

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.

Notes:
The Iguaçu National Park is a World Heritage Site straddling the borders of Brazil and Argentina. This locale is famous for the panoramic Iguaçu Falls, consisting of about 275 individual falls, spanning 2,700 meters. Most importantly, the park serves as a sanctuary for numerous rare animals like jaguars, ocelots, and jaguarundis. The phenomenal waterfall isn’t only a top tourist attraction but also an important habitat for species like the great dusky swifts. Proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, the park exemplifies global importance in wildlife conservation.