Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
41. Which of the following statements are correct regrading Gene banks?
1. Gene banks are established to protect genetic material, be it plant or animal.
2. In plants, genetic material can be saved by freezing cuts from the plant, or stocking the seeds.
3. In animals, genetic material can be saved by freezing of sperm and eggs in zoological freezers until
further need.
Select the correct option from the code given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Gene banks are established to protect genetic material, be it plant or animal. In plants, genetic material can be saved by freezing cuts from the plant, or stocking the seeds. In animals, genetic material can be saved by freezing of sperm and eggs in zoological freezers until further need.
42. Which are the most common vegetation of Mangroves?
[A] Kewra bushes
[B] Litchi plants
[C] Tulsi plants
[D] Varenima bushes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kewra bushes]
Notes:
Kewra or keya bushes are also the most common vegetation
of these forests, which grow in clumps
or group. Kewra is widely utilized as a plantation species to create a shelter belt along the coastal areas and offshore islands of Bangladesh.
43. In how many states do Central Government run the Namami Gange mission?
[A] 2
[B] 3
[C] 4
[D] 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [5]
Notes:
Namami Gange mission is run by the Central
Government in five states namely
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Bihar and West Bengal. It is managed by West Bengal Forest Department for
sustaining the biodiversity of the Ganga river ecosystem along with its
purification.
44. 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.
45. Which one of the following is not a major component of biotic environment?
[A] Plant
[B] Water
[C] Animals
[D] Decomposers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Water]
Notes:
Water is one of the abiotic factors that are nonliving chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. They affect living organisms in terms of growth, maintenance, and reproduction. A biotic factor is any living component that affects the population of another organism, or the environment.
46. Which of the following diseases are due to water pollution?
[A] Cholera
[B] Typhoid
[C] Both Cholera and Typhoid
[D] Neither Cholera Nor Typhoid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both Cholera and Typhoid]
Notes:
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.
47. Addition excessive amounts of heat to a lake is referred to as _____:
[A] Thermal pollution
[B] Heat Bloom
[C] Green House effect
[D] Refrigeration effect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Thermal pollution]
Notes:
Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of excess of undesirable heat to water thereby making it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. The change in ambient temperature of water decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition.
48. Spraying of DDT on crops causes pollution of _____:
[A] Air & Water
[B] Air & Soil
[C] Crops & Air
[D] Soil & Water
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Soil & Water]
Notes:
DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl trichloro ethane) is a persistent organic pollutant that is readily adsorbed into soils and sediments, which can act both as sinks and as long-term sources of exposure affecting organisms. It pollutes the ground water system which contaminates the entire food chain by severely affecting humans dependent on these.
49. Gahirmatha Sanctuary is the only Sanctuary for _____ in Odisha:
[A] Turtles
[B] Crocodiles
[C] Elephants
[D] Deer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Turtles]
Notes:
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is a marine wildlife sanctuary located in Odisha that is the world’s largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley Turtles. It extends from Dhamra River mouth in the north to Brahmani river mouth in the south. It is the one of world’s most important nesting beach for turtles.
50. Which of the following Colour coded weather alert is issued by IMD when there is a chance of more than 20 cm rainfall in 24 hours?
[A] Green
[B] Orange
[C] Red
[D] Yellow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Red]
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.