11. Who was awarded Nobel Prize for deciphering the language of bees? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] H.G. Khurana
[B] K.V. Frisch
[C] Julian Huxley
[D] Dorothy Hodgkins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [K.V. Frisch]
Notes:
K.V. Frisch shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine with K. Lorenz and N. Tinbergen for his pioneering work in ethology. He deciphered the ‘language’ of bees by studying their dance patterns in which one bee tells others in the hive the direction and distance of a food source.
12. What was “Albert Szent-Gyorgyi” famous for?
[A] As a Hungarian biochemist
[B] As a Hungarian physicist
[C] As a Hungarian mathematician
[D] As a Hungarian novelist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [As a Hungarian biochemist ]
Notes:
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi was a Hungarian biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937. He is credited with first isolating vitamin C and discovering the components and reactions of the citric acid cycle. He was also active in the Hungarian Resistance during World War II and entered Hungarian politics after the war.
13. The name of Theodor Schwann is associated with the discovery of which of the following?
[A] enzyme pepsin
[B] glial cells in nerves
[C] microorganisms play in alcohol fermentation
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Schwann discovered the enzyme pepsin and discovered glial cells in nerves – these are now known as Schwann cells. He also identified the role of microorganisms in alcohol fermentation.
14. When is reverse transcriptase a useful enzyme?
[A] an RNA virus converts its RNA to DNA
[B] there are no host cells present
[C] nutrients are scarce
[D] spikes are forming in the new virus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [an RNA virus converts its RNA to DNA]
Notes:
Reverse transcriptase is a useful enzyme to have when an RNA virus converts its RNA to DNA. Reverse transcriptase converts RNA sequences into cDNA sequences that are capable of being inserted into different regions of the genome.
15. Who is considered the “Father of Indian Bryology?
[A] Prof. K.C. Mehta
[B] Prof. D.D. Pant
[C] Prof. S.R. Kashyap
[D] Prof. P.N. Mehra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prof. S.R. Kashyap]
Notes:
Prof. S.R. Kashyap is considered the “Father of Indian Bryology” due to his research on Bryophyta especially from the Himalayan region.
16. Which one of the following is the innermost part of a flower and the female reproductive organ?
[A] Stamen
[B] Pistil
[C] Stigma
[D] Sepals
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pistil]
Notes:
The pistil is the innermost part of a flower and the female reproductive organ consists of three parts – the stigma, the style and the ovary collectively known as the pistil.
17. Bignonia unguiscati is an example of which of the following?
[A] Leaflet Hooks
[B] Leaf Roots
[C] Scale Leaves
[D] Leaf Spines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Leaflet Hooks]
Notes:
Leaflet Hooks is the terminal leaflets of the leaf become modified into hook-like structures that help them to climb. Bignonia unguiscati is an example of this.
18. __ tissues upsurge the length of the plant.
[A] Lateral meristem
[B] Apical meristem
[C] Intercalary meristem
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Apical meristem]
Notes:
Apical meristem tissues upsurge the length of the plant. It is existent at the growing tips or apical of stems and roots.
19. What tissues are found in the root and shoot ends of a plant?
[A] Primary Meristem
[B] Secondary Meristem
[C] Promeristem
[D] Apical Meristem
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Promeristem]
Notes:
The promeristem is the oldest and the smallest meristem tissue. It originates from the embryo. The primary meristem arises from the promeristem. It is found in the root and shoots tips.
20. What is the function of roots?
[A] anchor the plants in the soil
[B] absorb nutrients and water
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Roots bind plants to the soil and absorb nutrients and water that are essential for the rest of the plant.
