General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations

Notes:
The cerebellum, also known as little brain, is a region of the brain that plays an important role in balance and motor control. It is also involved in some cognitive functions such as attention, language, emotional functions (such as regulating fear and pleasure responses) and in the processing of procedural memories.

Notes:
Swim bladder is also known as air bladder for fishes. It is a buoyancy organ possessed by most bony fishes. The swim bladder is located in the body cavity and is derived from an out-pocketing of the digestive tube. It contains gas (usually oxygen) and functions as a hydrostatic, or ballast, organ, enabling the fish to maintain its depth without floating upward or sinking. It also serves as a resonating chamber to produce or receive sound.

Notes:
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals with the study of birds. The science of ornithology has developed several key concepts in evolution, behaviour and ecology such as the definition of species, the process of speciation, instinct, learning, ecological niches, guilds, island biogeography, phylogeography and conservation.

Notes:
The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes. The stapes is one of three small bones in the middle ear that allow mammals to transmit sound waves through their eardrum and hear. The stape bone is also known as the stirrup bone because it is shaped like a stirrup.

Notes:
Swine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a relatively new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs, but is now known to spread primarily from person to person.

Notes:
There are two regions of endoplasmic reticulum that differ in both structure and function. One region is called rough ER because it has ribosomes attached to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. The other region is called smooth ER because it lacks attached ribosomes.

Notes:
Starfish carry out movements with the help of tube feet that are part of the water vascular system. Apart from their function in locomotion, the tube feet act as accessory gills. The water vascular system serves to transport oxygen from, and carbon dioxide to, the tube feet and also nutrients from the gut to the muscles involved in locomotion.

Notes:
Pyria, or periodontal disease, is a progressive gum disease characterized by inflammation resulting from the toxins found in plaque. It leads to bleeding of the gums. If allowed to progress, Pyria begins to destroy underlying tissue, which may eventually lead to premature tooth loss.

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.

Notes:
Beriberi is a disease caused by a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. There are two types of the disease: wet beriberi and dry beriberi. Wet beriberi affects the heart and circulatory system. In extreme cases, wet beriberi can cause heart failure. Dry beriberi damages the nerves and can lead to a loss of muscle strength and eventually, muscle paralysis.