Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
41. What are Shola forests?
[A] Evergreen forests
[B] Moist Deciduous forests
[C] Dry Deciduous forests
[D] Hill forests
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hill forests]
Notes:
Sholas are the local name for patches of stunted tropical montane forest found in valleys amid rolling grassland in the higher montane regions of South India.
42. The toxic metal associated with the Minamata episode is ____:
[A] Lead
[B] Arsenic
[C] Mercury
[D] Cadmium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mercury]
Notes:
Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe methyl mercury poisoning. It is caused by eating large quantities of fish and shellfish polluted by methyl mercury in factory wastewater. The disease is named after Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, where it was first discovered in 1956.
43. Study of organisms in relation to their environment is called ____:
[A] Zoology
[B] Ecology
[C] Entomology
[D] Palynology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ecology]
Notes:
Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment, such as the interactions organisms have with each other and with their abiotic environment. Topics of interest to ecologists include the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), number (population) of organisms, as well as competition between them within and among ecosystems.
44. Which of the following is an air pollutant?
I. Water vapour
II. Carbon dioxide
III. Hydrogen Gas
[A] Only I
[B] Only II
[C] Only III
[D] Both II and III
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only II]
Notes:
An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. Because of its role as a greenhouse gas Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been described as “the leading pollutant” and “the worst climate pollution”. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the Sulphur dioxide released from factories.
45. Green House Effect means _____:
[A] Cultivation of crops in green house to conserve heat
[B] Trapping of solar energy due to carbon dioxide gases
[C] Trapping of solar energy by earth upper surface
[D] Increase of heat due to atmospheric pollution
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Trapping of solar energy due to carbon dioxide gases]
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.
46. Solar energy is converted into chemical energy during ____:
[A] Photosynthesis
[B] Combustion
[C] Transition
[D] Fusion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Photosynthesis]
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).
47. Which one of the following is an indicator of air pollution?
[A] Cycas
[B] Algae
[C] Bryophytes
[D] Lichens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lichens]
Notes:
Lichens are found in both nature and in human-made environments, including rocks, trees, barren earth, metal and concrete. They are sensitive to air pollution because they receive all nutrients from the atmosphere, which makes them valuable as indicator species. The presence of sulphur dioxide force them to perish.
48. Green manure is obtained from _____:
[A] Oil seed husk cakes
[B] Decomposing green legume plants
[C] Domestic vegetable waste
[D] Fresh animal excreta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Decomposing green legume plants]
Notes:
Green undecomposed material used as manure is called green manure. It is obtained in two ways: (a) growing green manure crops usually belonging to leguminous family and incorporating into the soil after sufficient growth or (b) by collecting green leaf from plants grown in wastelands, field bunds and forest. The most important green manure crops are sunnhemp, dhaincha, etc.
49. Mudumalai Sanctuary is famous for ______:
[A] Tigers
[B] Birds
[C] Bisons
[D] Elephants
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tigers]
Notes:
The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, now also declared a Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills, in Nilgiri District, about 150 km north-west of Coimbatore city in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in South India. The sanctuary is a haven for Bengal Tigers and Indian Leopards and other threatened species.
50. The “Loktak” lake is located in which state of India?
[A] Manipur
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Tripura
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
Loktak lake is located near Moirang in Manipur. It is the largest freshwater lake in North -East India. It is famous for the phumdis floating over it. Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world, floats over the Loktak Lake.