General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations
General Science Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations. These questions are part of GKToday’s 35000+ MCQs Bank Course in GKToday Android App
31. From the bark of which plant is quinine extracted?
[A] Eucalyptus
[B] Cinchona
[C] Neem
[D] Cedar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cinchona]
Notes:
Quinine, as a component of the bark of the cinchona tree, was used to treat malaria from as early as the 1600s. The bark of trees in this genus is the source of a variety of alkaloids, the most familiar of which is quinine, an antipyretic (anti-fever) agent.
32. A specific function of light energy in the process of photosynthesis is to ____:
[A] Reduce CO2
[B] Absorb water
[C] Formation of oxygen
[D] Activate chlorophyll
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Activate chlorophyll]
Notes:
The process of photosynthesis occurs when green plants use the energy of light to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into carbohydrates. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, a photosynthetic pigment of the plant, while air containing carbon dioxide and oxygen enters the plant through the leaf stomata.
33. Onion is an example of bulb, which is a modified ____:
[A] Stem
[B] Flower
[C] Root
[D] Leaf
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Stem]
Notes:
Bulbs are modified stems of some plants. The stem is modified to be a storage organ where the plant stores its reserve materials which it would use in times of need. It has a modified flower bud or other growth point that is surrounded by modified, fleshy leaves that are referred to as scales. Onion is the best example of bulb.
34. If xylem and phloem are arranged in the same radius, such a vascular bundle is called ____:
[A] Collateral
[B] Bicollateral
[C] Concentric
[D] Radial
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Collateral]
Notes:
In the collateral type of vascular bundle, xylem and phloem are arranged side by side on the same radius. This may be either open or closed. Usually xylem is seen towards the inner side and phloem towards outer side. The collateral vascular bundle is also known as conjoint.
35. The waste management technique that involves the use of micro-organisms to remove or neutralize pollutants from contaminated site is called ____:
[A] Bio magnification
[B] Bio sensor
[C] Bioremediation
[D] Bio concentration
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bioremediation]
Notes:
Bioremediation is a waste management technique that involves the use of organisms to remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site. It uses naturally occurring organisms to break down hazardous substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances. There are two classes of bioremediation used : In situ and Ex situ.
36. What do you understand by the term Dark Fermentation?
[A] It is a method to dispose nuclear wastes
[B] It is a method to produce methane from organic wastes
[C] It is a method to reduce COD in the atmosphere
[D] It is a method to produce Hydrogen as a fuel from waste water
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [It is a method to produce Hydrogen as a fuel from waste water]
Notes:
Dark fermentation is the fermentative conversion of organic substrate to bio-hydrogen. It is a complex process manifested by diverse groups of bacteria, involving a series of biochemical reactions using three steps similar to anaerobic conversion. Wastewater is used as a potential substrate for bio-hydrogen production in the dark fermentation process.
37. Which vitamin is made at a higher rate in our body?
[A] Vitamin A
[B] Vitamin B
[C] Vitamin C
[D] Vitamin D
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vitamin D]
Notes:
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and multiple other biological effects. It is usually produced in the skin of human and animals under the influence of solar or ultraviolet radiation. In plants it can be produced from provitamin ergosterol.
38. The noble gas used for the treatment of cancer is _____:
[A] Helium
[B] Radon
[C] Argon
[D] Krypton
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Radon]
Notes:
Radon was once commonly used to treat cancer. The radiation it gives off kills cancer cells. However, the element must be used with great care because radiation can kill healthy cells as well. In fact, the bad side-effects of radiation therapy are caused by the killing of healthy cells by radiation. Today, radon is not as widely used for the treatment of cancer.
39. Thalassemia is an example of _____:
[A] Deletion mutation
[B] Point mutation
[C] Silent mutation
[D] Frame shift mutation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Frame shift mutation]
Notes:
Frame shift mutations are associated with Thalassemia. They involve a deletion or insertion of one or two base pairs within a coding sequence of a gene. As the coding message is read in triplets codons and deletions, the reading frame of mRNA is altered resulting in a nonsense sequence of amino acids.
40. Which of the following protein is found in hair?
[A] Histone
[B] Keratin
[C] Elastin
[D] Actin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Keratin]
Notes:
Keratin is a family of fibrous structural proteins that is the key structural material making up hair, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of human skin. Keratin is also the protein that protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Some keratins have also been found to regulate key cellular activities, such as cell growth and protein synthesis.
