11. It is possible to produce seedless tomato fruits by which of the following processes? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[A] Applying trace elements in tomato fields
[B] spraying mineral solution on plants
[C] spraying hormones on flowers
[D] applying fertilizers containing radioactive elements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [spraying hormones on flowers]
Notes:
Seed and fruit development are intimately related processes controlled by internal signals and environmental cues. One method to produce seedless fruit is to develop plants able to produce fruits independently from pollination and fertilization of the ovules.
12. Which one of the following is a modified stem? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[A] Carrot
[B] Sweet Potato
[C] Coconut
[D] Potato
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Potato]
Notes:
Potato tuber bears buds in small pits known as eyes. Buds develops to branches. Some of the branches become green, erect and leafy stems that grow horizontally underground.
13. Which one of the following statements regarding starch and cellulose is not correct? (UPSC Prelims 1998)
[A] Both of them are of plant origin
[B] Both of them are polymers
[C] Both of them give colour with iodine
[D] Both of them are made up of glucose molecules
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both of them give colour with iodine]
Notes:
Starch and cellulose both are plant origin. Starch deposits in plant cells, whereas cellulose is most important constituent of plant cell wall. Both starch and cellulose are polymers. Starch is branched polymer of α – D – glucose unit linked by α – 1, 4 glycosidic bond. Cellulose is a linear polymer of β – D – glucose unit. Glucose molecules are present in both starch and cellulose. Amylose in starch is responsible for the formation of deep blue colour in the presence of iodine but cellulose does not give any colour at the treatment with iodine, because amylose is absent in cellulose.
14. Which one of the following is monogamous? (UPSC Prelims 2002)
[A] Wolf
[B] Walrus
[C] Seal
[D] Deer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Wolf]
Notes:
Wolf alpha pairs are usually monogamous with each other, but alpha males have been known to stray with other pack members, especially if they are closely related. Among red foxes, long considered extremely loyal, mate switching has also been shown.
15. In which organ of the human body are the lymphocyte cells formed? (UPSC Prelims 2004)
[A] Liver
[B] Long bone
[C] Pancreas
[D] Spleen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Long bone]
Notes:
Lymphocytes are the cells that determine the specificity of the immune response to infectious microorganisms and other foreign substances. In humans lymphocytes make up 25 to 33% of the total number of leukocytes. They are found in central lymphoid organs and tissues such as the spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes and large bones.
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. Which of the following branch of biology deals with the study and rearing of grasses?
[A] Agrostology
[B] Agronomy
[C] Dendrology
[D] Phenology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Agrostology]
Notes:
Agrostology, the branch of botany concerned with the study of grasses, especially their taxonomy.
18. Which of the following branch of biology deals with the study of mycoplasma?
[A] Mycoplasmology
[B] Limnology
[C] Ethnobotony
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mycoplasmology]
Notes:
Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that do not have a cell wall surrounding the cell membrane.
19. Who among the following is considered to be the father of taxonomy?
[A] Engler
[B] Karl Landsteiner
[C] Linnaeus
[D] RH Whittaker
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Linnaeus
]
Notes:
The Father of Taxonomy is Carolus Linnaeus. He classified organisms into five parts.
20. Which of the following give maximum energy after breaking down?
[A] Fat
[B] Sugar
[C] Carbohydrate
[D] Protein
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fat]
Notes:
Fat gives maximum energy after breaking down, fat is composed of essential carbon and hydrogen atoms releasing 9.1 calories per gram of energy.
