General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations

Notes:
Syrinx is the name for the vocal organ of birds. Located at the base of a bird’s trachea, it produces sounds without the vocal cords of mammals. The sound is produced by vibrations of some or all of the membrana tympaniformis (the walls of the syrinx) and the pessulus caused by air flowing through the syrinx.

Notes:
Dig fish refers to a family of sharks in the order Squaliformes. They live in sea. They have two dorsal fins, each with smooth spines, but no anal fin, and their skin is generally rough to the touch. Unlike virtually all other shark species, dogfish sharks possess venom which coats their dorsal spines – this venom is mildly toxic to humans.

Notes:
Coupling and repulsion are indeed two states of linkage in genetics. Genetic linkage refers to the tendency for genes that are located close on a chromosome to be inherited together during meiosis. The compounding of genes establishes linkage. As genes become more proximal, they exhibit closer linkage. Gametes with linked genes from coupling and repulsion crosses are often combined.

Notes:
Tusks are elongated, continuously growing front teeth, usually but not always in pairs, that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. They are most commonly canines, as with warthogs, pig, and walruses, or, in the case of elephants, elongated incisors. The tusks are actually upper incisors, not canines. They are the only incisors the elephant has. Elephants, mastodons, and mammoths all have upper incisor teeth that emerge from the skull as tusks.

Notes:
Vitamin K is a group of structurally similar, fat-soluble vitamins that are needed for the post translational modification of certain proteins required for blood coagulation i.e. conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin, the blood clot. and in metabolic pathways in bone and other tissue. They are 2-methyl-1,4- naphthoquinone (3-)derivatives. This group of vitamins includes two natural vitamins: vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, phytomenadione, or phytonadione, is synthesized by plants, and is found in highest amounts in green leafy vegetables because it is directly involved in photosynthesis. It may be thought of as the “plant form” of vitamin K. It is active in animals since animals can easily convert it to vitamin K2.

Notes:
Brailing is the practice of preventing a bird from flying by tying the wing so that it is impossible for the bird to open wings fully and fly. The brail is a clear plastic strap, fastened by rivets, which will be used to restrain his wing. Brailing the birds helps prevent injuries during shipment.

Notes:
Chlorophyll was first isolated and named by Joseph Bienaimé Caventou and Pierre Joseph Pelletier in 1817. It is a chemical found in the chloroplasts of plants that allows the plant to absorb light. Energy from the light is used in photosynthesis to make glucose.

Notes:
Universal donor is a person who is type O in the ABO blood group system and negative for RhD blood group antigen and can donate blood to all recipients. O- blood type doesn’t have antigen for A or B and Rh antigen on the surface of its RBCs. Because of the absence of Rh factor, O- blood type can be given to patients of either Rh type.

Notes:
Liver is considered as the biochemical laboratory of the human body. It synthesizes and secretes at least four important hormones and has a wide range of functions, including detoxification of various metabolites, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. It is tied to all bodily processes because it is responsible for filtration of all incoming foods and fluids. Some of the most important functions (among 500 functions carried out by it) are:
• Metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, thus providing energy and nutrients
• Stores vitamins, minerals, and sugars
• Filters the blood and helps remove harmful chemicals and bacteria
• Creates bile which breaks down fats Helps to assimilate and store fat soluble vitamins (A, E, D, K); etc.

Notes:
The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program aims to combat hepatitis and achieve country wide elimination of Hepatitis C by 2030. Launched on 28 July, 2018, it also aims to achieve significant reduction in the infected population, morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B and C viz. Cirrhosis and Hepato-cellular carcinoma (liver cancer).