11. Which of the following is a polymer of glucose?
[A] Starch
[B] Cellulose
[C] Both a and b
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both a and b]
Notes:
Both Starch and Cellulose are the polymers of glucose. Cellulose is a chief structural material of the plants. Both starch and cellulose are made by plants from glucose produced during photosynthesis.
12. Which solution makes a cell turgid?
[A] Hypotonic solution
[B] Isotonic solution
[C] Hypertonic solution
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hypotonic solution]
Notes:
When the plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it takes up water by osmosis and starts to swell, but the cell wall prevents it from bursting. The plant cell is said to have become “turgid” i.e. swollen and hard.
13. Scurvy is caused by deficiency of which of the following vitamins?
[A] Vitamin A
[B] Vitamin C
[C] Vitamin D
[D] Vitamin B
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vitamin C]
Notes:
Scurvy is the name for a vitamin C deficiency. It can lead to anemia, debility, exhaustion, spontaneous bleeding, pain in the limbs, and especially the legs, swelling in some parts of the body, and sometimes ulceration of the gums and loss of teeth.
14. Which of the following is the function of the liver? (UPSC Prelims 1979).
[A] Promote digestion of food
[B] Promote respiration
[C] Store glucose as glucogen
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Store glucose as glucogen]
Notes:
The liver’s main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The primary functions of the liver are:
• Bile production and excretion
• Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs
• Metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
• Enzyme activation
• Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals
• Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors
15. By which of the following the genetic code can be translated through an intermediate, adaptor molecule? (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] tRNA
[B] mRNA
[C] ATP
[D] ADP
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [mRNA]
Notes:
In the nucleus, the DNA code is transcribed or copied, into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. In the cytoplasm, the mRNA code is translated into amino acids. Translation is orchestrated at the ribosome and it itself partly composed of RNA with transfer RNA playing the role of adaptor.
16. Consider the following statements with reference to the human body:
- The common bile duct releases its contents into the stomach.
- The pancreatic duct releases its contents into the duodenum.
Which of the above statements 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:
The common bile duct and the pancreatic duct both release their contents into the duodenum, not the stomach. The digestive enzyme (pancreatic juices) are released to the duodenum from the pancreatic duct.
17. Which branch of biology is known for the scientific study of organic matter in living things?
[A] Photophysical
[B] Biochemistry
[C] Biotechnology
[D] Molecular Biology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Biochemistry]
Notes:
Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level.
18. Who among the following was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1926 for his contribution to cancer research?
[A] Christiaan Eijkman
[B] Johannes Fibiger
[C] Julius Wagner-Jauregg
[D] Charles-Jules-Henri Nicolle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Johannes Fibiger]
Notes:
Johannes Fibiger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1926 for his contribution to cancer research.
19. The most abundant biomolecule on earth is__?
[A] Minerals
[B] Salts
[C] Carbohydrates
[D] Vitamins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Carbohydrates]
Notes:
Carbohydrate is a biomolecule that is found in the most abundance on earth. Carbohydrates are mostly produced by green plant cells, algae and some bacteria.
20. In cell culture, the measles virus can lead to which of the following?
[A] nuclear pyknosis
[B] transformation of cells
[C] syncytium formation
[D] rounding and aggregation of cells
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [syncytium formation]
Notes:
In cell culture, the measles virus can lead to syncytium formation.
