1. Which of the following correctly defines “Mother-of-pearl”?
[A] An oyster which yields the pearl
[B] A special large sized pearl found in Japan
[C] A hard iridescent substance forming the inner layer of certain shells
[D] Female individuals of certain species of shelled mollusk
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ A hard iridescent substance forming the inner layer of certain shells ]
Notes:
Nacre also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some mollusks as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent.
2. Which among the following is caused by Virus?
[A] Mumps
[B] Beri Beri
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Dysentery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mumps]
Notes:
Mumps is caused by Virus. Mumps is a viral infection that affects the salivary glands that’s easily preventable by a vaccine. Initial signs and symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, poor appetite, and feeling generally unwell.
3. The Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is commonly known as _______?
[A] Foot & Mouth Disease
[B] Mad Cow Disease
[C] Fog fever
[D] Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mad Cow Disease]
Notes:
The Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. It is a brain disorder in an adult cattle that may be spread to humans through diseased meat.
4. In human body, the main target of antidiuretic hormone is ?
[A] Heart
[B] Kidney
[C] Liver
[D] Spleen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kidney]
Notes:
The target of antidiuretic hormone is the collecting duct of the nephron. If ADH is released, less urine is excreted.
5. Which plants grow under water stress conditions of deserts?
[A] Epiphytes
[B] Xerophytes
[C] Sciophytes
[D] Heliophytes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Xerophytes]
Notes:
A Xerophyte is a species of plant that has adapted to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert or an ice- or snow-covered region in the Alps or the Arctic.
6. Opium is a plant product obtained from which part of the plant?
[A] Roots
[B] Stem bark
[C] Dried Latex
[D] Dried leaves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dried Latex]
Notes:
The opium poppy straw is harvested from cultivation of pharmaceutical entities, the liquid or dried sap (known as opium latex that is obtained by lancing the outer surface of poppy pods) is the starting material for the clandestine production of heroin. Poppy straw is derived when latex are fully mature and dried by mechanical means.
7. Which of following is the primary photosynthetic pigment?
[A] Chlorophyll-b
[B] Carotenoid
[C] Chlorophyll-a
[D] Anthocyanin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chlorophyll-a]
Notes:
Chlorophylla-a is the primary pigment for photosynthesis in plants. Chlorophyll a is a specific form of chlorophyll used in oxygenic photosynthesis. It absorbs most energy from wavelengths of violet-blue and orange-red light.
8. Who among the following proposed the theory of origin of life on earth?
[A] Haldane
[B] Stanley Miller
[C] Harold C. Urey
[D] Lamarck
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Haldane]
Notes:
The theory of origin of life on earth is proposed by Haldane. Further this theory was confirmed by the experiments conducted by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey.
9. Which of the following causes Dysentery and Influenza?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Viruses
[C] Bacteria and Viruses respectively
[D] Viruses and Bacteria respectively
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bacteria and Viruses respectively]
Notes:
Causes range from bacteria, viruses, and parasites to food reactions and unclean water. The flu comes with symptoms like fever, congestion, muscle aches, and fatigue. The cause is the influenza virus. More severe cases can lead to life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia.
10. The messages received by and transmitted from the brain to the various parts of the body take the form of which of the following impulses? (UPSC Prelims 1983)
[A] Nervous impulses
[B] Chemical impulses
[C] Mechanical impulses
[D] Automatic impulses
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nervous impulses]
Notes:
The message to the brain form any body part takes the form of nervous impulses. Nerve impulses are mostly electrical signals along the dendrites to produce a nerve impulse or action potential. The action potential is the result of ions moving in and out of the cell.
