11. How Green plants in the sea are useful for the respiration of fish? (UPSC Prelims 1979).
[A] They give out oxygen
[B] They give out carbon dioxide
[C] The give out oxygen and carbon dioxide simultaneously
[D] They take oxygen and give out carbon dioxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [They give out oxygen]
Notes:
Oxygen is a natural element which no animal can live without. Fish and other aquatic animals depend on oxygen gas dissolved in water as much as people depend on oxygen gas in air. Many people are surprised to learn that fish and other aquatic organisms don’t use oxygen from water molecules (H2O). This is because the single oxygen molecule (O) is bound to the two hydrogen molecules (H2) and is not useable in this form. Instead, aquatic organisms depend on dissolved oxygen gas (O2), a colorless, tasteless and odorless substance that enters the water from plants and the atmosphere.
12. Which of the following glands control temperature in human beings? (UPSC Prelims 1987)
[A] Pituitary gland
[B] Thyroid gland
[C] Hypothalamus gland
[D] Adrenal gland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hypothalamus gland]
Notes:
The hypothalamus in the brain controls body temperature by regulating heat production and loss:
Temperature comparison: The hypothalamus compares the body’s current temperature to the normal temperature of around 37°C.
Heat production: If the body is too cold, the hypothalamus triggers heat production.
Heat loss: If the body is too hot, the hypothalamus triggers heat loss, such as sweating or giving off heat.
13. Natural rubber is a plant product which is chemically known by which of the following names? (UPSC Prelims 1992)
[A] Mucilage
[B] Gum
[C] Latex
[D] Resin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Latex]
Notes:
The word latex means only natural rubber. Natural rubber is made from the white sap of some trees such as the Hevea brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae). Other elastomers, called synthetic rubbers, are made by chemical processes.
14. Which of the following is the name given to the cellular and molecular control of programmed cell death? (UPSC Prelims 2001)
[A] Apoptosis
[B] Ageing
[C] Degeneration
[D] Necrosis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Apoptosis]
Notes:
• Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death in multicellular organisms. Apoptosis occurs during normal cell turnover, development and in immune system.
• Ageing is the accumulation of changes.
• Degeneration is the deterioration of a tissue or an organ in which its function is diminished or its structure impaired.
• Necrosis is the disorganized break down of flesh in some part of the body of multicellular organism.
15. Which of the following features of DNA makes in uniquely suited to store and transmit genetic information from generation to generation? (UPSC Prelims 2001)
[A] Complementarity of the two stands
[B] Double helix
[C] Number of base-pairs per turn
[D] Sugar-phosphate backbone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Complementarity of the two stands]
Notes:
Complementary base pairing in the DNA double helix (with its complementary DNA strands) describes the manner in which deoxyribose- nucleotides bind to each other. Essentially it means that the bases are arranged along the molecule such that the chains fit together snugly so as to be lightly secured by hydrogen bonds.
16. Consider the following statements:
I. Meningococcal Meningitis is transmitted from person to person by mosquito bites.
II. Vomitting and neck pain are two of the symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2006)
[A] I only
[B] II only
[C] Both I and II
[D] Neither I nor II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [II only]
Notes:
This virus is spread by mosquito bites and has become an important cause of viral meningitis in most of the United States.
Bacterial meningitis symptoms may develop within hoursor days. Fever, severe headache, and neck stiffness are the hallmark symptoms of meningitis. Others include: Nausea and vomiting.
17. In which of the following β-oxidation mainly occurs?
[A] Mitochondria
[B] Cytoplasm
[C] Nucleus
[D] Chloroplast
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mitochondria
]
Notes:
β-oxidation in mammals occurs in both mitochondria and peroxisomes, whereas plants and most fungi switch off β-oxidation.
18. A segment of DNA consists of 120 adenine and 120 cytosine bases. What is the total number of nucleotides present in the segment?
[A] 120
[B] 240
[C] 345
[D] 480
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [480]
Notes:
According to Chargaff’s laws, the amount of adenine is always equal to that of thymine, and the amount of guanine is always equal to that of cytosine, i.e. A = T(120) and G = C (120), hence, the total no. The number of nucleotides would be 120 x 4 = 480.
19. Which virus belongs to the family Caliciviridae?
[A] Hepatitis B virus
[B] Hepatitis D virus
[C] Hepatitis E virus
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hepatitis E virus]
Notes:
The Caliciviridae family contains five genera are Norovirus, Sapovirus, Lagovirus, Vesivirus, and Nebovirus.
20. Which of the following is primarily associated with forage preservation?
[A] Lactobacillus bucheri
[B] Lactobacillus cacaonum
[C] Monosodium glutamate
[D] Lactobacillus casei
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lactobacillus bucheri]
Notes:
Lactobacillus bucheri is a naturally occurring, lactic acid bacteria that has a crucial role in forage preservation. It’s associated with indirect silage fermentation, which results in the production of acetic acid that inhibits yeast, prevents heating, and extends the bunk life of silage. Other species like Lactobacillus cacao num and Lactobacillus casei do not exhibit this function and Monosodium Glutamate is a flavor enhancer, not a preservative.