1. Diabetes insipidus (DI) caused by a deficiency of arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone is secreted by which endocrine gland?
[A] Thyroid Gland
[B] Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)
[C] Pancreas
[D] Liver
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)]
Notes:
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is caused by a deficiency of arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Antidiuretic hormone is secreted by Pituitary Gland which is also called Hypophysis.
2. The pitcher plant is characterized by which of the following plants ?
[A] Autotrophes
[B] Insectivorous
[C] Allergen
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Insectivorous]
Notes:
The pitcher plant is characterized as insectivorous. Pitcher plants are several different carnivorous plants. They have modified leaves known as pitfall traps which is a prey-trapping mechanism featuring a deep cavity filled with digestive liquid.
3. Which among the following conditions will give birth to Fraternal Twins?
[A] a single egg is fertilized to form one zygote which then divides into two separate embryos
[B] sperm cells fertilize both the ovum and the second polar body
[C] two eggs are independently fertilized by two different sperm cells
[D] none of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [two eggs are independently fertilized by two different sperm cells]
Notes:
Fraternal twins are also called as dizygotic twins. In this type of pregnancy two eggs are independently fertilized by two different sperm cells. These types of twins may be of the same or different sexes.
4. Who among the following is called father of Modern Genetics ?
[A] William Bateson
[B] Robert Hooke
[C] E J Butler
[D] F O Bower
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [William Bateson]
Notes:
William Bateson was an English biologist who was the first person to use the term genetics to describe the study of heredity. He is considered as the father of Modern Genetics.
5. What name has been given to the fear of crossing roads?
[A] Arthrophobia
[B] Atychiphobia
[C] Aichmophobia
[D] Agyrophobia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Agyrophobia]
Notes:
The fear of crossing roads is called Agyrophobia. This phobia is considered to be independent from the fear of cars, as even crossing a deserted intersection still initiates the fear reaction.
6. With reference to classification of the flora and fauna, the meaning of term “Taxon” is __?
[A] A group of same species
[B] A group of organisms with same chromosome number
[C] A group of category of organisms
[D] A group of same genera
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ A group of category of organisms]
Notes:
In biology, a taxon (plural taxa; back-formation from taxonomy) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit.
7. Which movements of “Touch me not plant” lead to closing of its leaves when touched?
[A] Nyctinastic movements
[B] Seismonastic movements
[C] Chemonastric movements
[D] Photonastic movements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Seismonastic movements]
Notes:
Seismonastic Movement is caused by the mechanical stimuli like shock, touch, fast moving wind, etc. Mimosa pudica is a perennial herb which is also known as the touch me not plant or the sensitive plant, is well-known for closing its leaves (or folding its leaves inwards) when touched.
8. 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.
9. Which of the following gave green colour to plants?
[A] Chlorophyll
[B] Sugar
[C] Mitochondria
[D] Xylem
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chlorophyll]
Notes:
Chlorophyll is the primary pigment in plants. It absorbs yellow and blue wavelengths of light while reflecting green. It is the presence and relative abundance of chlorophyll that gives plants their green color.
10. Retina in the eyes acts as which of the following parts of the camera? (UPSC Prelims 1982)
[A] Lens of the camera
[B] Shutter of the camera
[C] Film of the camera
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Film of the camera]
Notes:
The retina is a thin membrane which covers the inside back of the eye. Like film in a camera, the retina is the light-sensitive surface where images from the outside world come to a focus.
