11. Through which of the following mechanisms genes control the activity of living organisms? (UPSC Prelims 1986)
[A] Photosynthesis
[B] Protein synthesis
[C] Vitamins
[D] Hormones
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Protein synthesis]
Notes:
The genes control the characteristic by making a specific protein. Genes are the segment of DNA that contains information to form RNA which ultimately forms protein. Each gene contains two alleles and this instructs the cell to make protein for expression of traits.
If the plant has gene for green seeds then it will make protein which will give green colour to seeds.
12. Why there are more anti-bacterial drugs than anti-viral drugs? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] Bacterial diseases are intra-cellular
[B] Viral diseases are intra-cellular
[C] Virus is smaller than bacteria
[D] Drugs can penetrate bacteria more effectively
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Viral diseases are intra-cellular]
Notes:
Viruses infect all sorts of cells, from bacteria to human cells, but for the most part tend to be host specific. For example, the tobacco mosaic virus infects certain plants; the rabies virus infects only mammals; and the AIDS virus, HIV, infects only certain human blood cells.
13. In photosynthesis, light energy is converted into which form of energy?
[A] Electrical energy
[B] Kinetic energy
[C] Chemical energy
[D] Potential energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chemical energy]
Notes:
In the process of photosynthesis, the energy from solar light is converted into the chemical energy.
14. Who is known as the ‘God of plants’?
[A] Soma
[B] Varuna
[C] Rudra
[D] Indra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Soma]
Notes:
Soma is also known as the God of plants or the king of gods or the special god of the Brahmanas. All the hymns of the eleventh mandal are assigned to him. Aryans considered Himalaya as the source of the soma plant.
15. Which of the following whales can be easily identified by the white calluses on their heads?
[A] Humpback Whale
[B] Antarctic Minke Whales
[C] North Atlantic Right Whale
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [North Atlantic Right Whale]
Notes:
The North Atlantic right whale is a baleen whale. At present, they are among the most endangered whales in the world. They feed on plankton and are usually found in coastal waters.
16. Who is called the father of Immunology?
[A] Gregor Mendel
[B] Edward Jenner
[C] Francis Galton
[D] Hugo de Vries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Edward Jenner]
Notes:
Edward Jenner is an English surgeon and discoverer of smallpox vaccination. That’s why he is called the father of immunology.
17. Which of the following vitamins was discovered by Sir Edward Mellanby?
[A] Vitamin C
[B] Vitamin D
[C] Vitamin K
[D] Vitamin E
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vitamin D]
Notes:
Vitamin D was discovered by Sir Edward Mellanby.
18. Which of the following is a reducing sugar?
[A] β-methyl galactosidase
[B] Sucrose
[C] Gluconic acid
[D] Galactose
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Galactose]
Notes:
The dietary monosaccharides galactose, glucose and fructose are all reducing sugars.
19. Which of the following group is used to represent disease-related fungi?
[A] Penicillium
[B] Truffles, mushrooms and morels
[C] Smuts, rusts and moulds
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Smuts, rusts and moulds
]
Notes:
Smuts, rusts, and molds groups is used to represent disease-related fungi.
20. Which of the following is an indicator of SO2 pollution of air?
[A] Puffballs
[B] Mushrooms
[C] Mosses
[D] Lichens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lichens]
Notes:
Lichens are good indicators of sulfur dioxide pollution in the environment. Lichens are relationships between fungi and algae.
