Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?
- (a)Crab
- (b)Mite
- (c)Scorpion
- (d)Spider
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Official answer(a) Crab
Science & Technology
923 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.
Consider the following pairs : Vitamin 1. Vitamin C : Scurvy 2. Vitamin D : Rickets 3. Vitamin E : Night blindness Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a)1 and 2 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)1, 2 and 3
- (d)None
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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only
There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? 1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil. 2. They can enter the food chains. 3. They can trigger the production of free radicals. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a)1 and 2 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3
Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred 1. Across different species of plants 2. From animals to plants 3. From microorganisms to higher organisms Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3
Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced by
- (a)bacteria
- (b)protozoa
- (c)moulds
- (d)viruses
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Official answer(c) moulds
Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? 1. Chikungunya 2. Hepatitis B 3. HIV-AIDS Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only
Consider the following minerals: 1. Calcium 2. Iron 3. Sodium Which of the minerals given above is/are required by human body for the contraction of muscles?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3
Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because
- (a)exposure to sunlight is prevented
- (b)concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment is increased
- (c)rate of respiration is decreased
- (d)there is an increase in humidity
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Official answer(c) rate of respiration is decreased
Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc., because
- (a)the actual area of contact between the wheel and axle is increased
- (b)the effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is increased
- (c)the effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is reduced
- (d)None of the above statements is correct
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Official answer(c) the effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is reduced
Consider the following phenomena: 1. Size of the sun at dusk 2. Colour of the sun at dawn 3. Moon being visible at dawn 4. Twinkle of stars in the sky 5. Polestar being visible in the sky Which of the above are optical illusions?
- (a)1, 2 and 3
- (b)3, 4 and 5
- (c)1, 2 and 4
- (d)2, 3 and 5
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Official answer(c) 1, 2 and 4
Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this? 1. Dispersion 2. Refraction 3. Internal reflection Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- (a)1 and 2 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3
Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because
- (a)the new soil does not contain favourable minerals
- (b)most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
- (c)most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
- (d)leaves get damaged during transplantation
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Official answer(c) most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the generation of energy. 2. Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic medium. 3. Viruses are transmitted from one organism to another by biological vectors only. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 only
The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz., gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- (a)Gravity is the strongest of the four
- (b)Electromagnetism acts only on particles with an electric charge
- (c)Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity
- (d)Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom
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Official answer(a) Gravity is the strongest of the four
The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/ importances of discovering this particle? 1. It will enable us to understand as to why elementary particles have mass. 2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them. 3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 only
What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems? 1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water. 2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water. 3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 only
Graphene is frequently in news recently. What is its importance? 1. It is a two-dimensional material and has good electrical conductivity. 2. It is one of the thinnest but strongest materials tested so far. 3. It is entirely made of silicon and has high optical transparency. 4. It can be used as 'conducting electrodes' required for touch screens, LCDs and organic LEDs. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a)1 and 2 only
- (b)3 and 4 only
- (c)1, 2 and 4 only
- (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
With reference to 'stem cells', frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. 2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. 3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (a)1 and 2 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What is/are the implication/implications of the creation of anti-matter? 1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper. 2. It will help probe the possibility of the existence of stars and galaxies made of anti-matter. 3. It will help understand the evolution of the universe. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only
Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/evidences for the continued expansion of universe? 1. Detection of microwaves in space 2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space 3. Movement of asteroids in space 4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (a)1 and 2
- (b)2 only
- (c)1, 3 and 4
- (d)None of the above can be cited as evidence
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Official answer(a) 1 and 2
Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?
- (a)The Earth's magnetic field diverts them towards its poles
- (b)Ozone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space
- (c)Moisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth
- (d)None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
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Official answer(a) The Earth's magnetic field diverts them towards its poles
To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium? 1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium. 2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium. 3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3
Which one of the following sets of elements was primarily responsible for the origin of life on the Earth?
- (a)Hydrogen, Oxygen, Sodium
- (b)Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
- (c)Oxygen, Calcium, Phosphorus
- (d)Carbon, Hydrogen, Potassium
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Official answer(b) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India? 1. Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome. 2. The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies. 3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health. 4. There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (a)1, 2 and 3 only
- (b)2 and 3 only
- (c)3 and 4 only
- (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 3 and 4 only
Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? 1. To enable them to withstand drought 2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce 3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations 4. To increase their shelf life Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (a)1 and 2 only
- (b)3 and 4 only
- (c)1, 2 and 4 only
- (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1, 2 and 4 only