UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Environment, Geography, Science and Technology to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Economy Quiz.

With reference to the Microalgae, consider the following statements:

1. They have low photosynthesis efficiency.

2. They serve as industrial raw materials.

3. They grow very rapidly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 3 only

Explanation

— Microalgae are capable of growing rapidly, their high photosynthesis efficiency coupled with the ability to accumulate a large amount of bioproducts within their cells make them a suitable candidate to serve as industrial raw material. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statements 2 and 3 are correct.

— TCL, one of India’s largest chemical businesses, is the first commercial company to sign a deal with the CSMCRI to cultivate this species of microalgae and extract biodiesel from them. The Chlorella genus comprises 13 species of single-celled green algae. CSMCRI identified a species that can grow in both freshwater and marine.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements about Norwesters:

1. They originate during the pre-monsoon season.

2. These are severe thunderstorms that originate over western parts of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Norwesters are violent thunderstorms that originate in Eastern and North Eastern India, southern Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— They form during the pre monsoon season (March–May). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— They prefer to migrate northwest to southeast, though they may sometimes travel southwest to northeast.

— Locally, they are known as Kalbaisakhis.

— The Norwesters bring severe rain, lightning, thunder, hailstorms, dust storms, squalls, downbursts, and, on occasion, tornadoes.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: mausamjournal.imd.gov.in)

With reference to the Indian Flying Fox, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the nectar and fruit.

2. The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

3. They play an important role in pollination and seed dissemination.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Indian flying foxes are found throughout the tropics and, being frugivorous animals, play an important role in pollination and seed dissemination. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The population of flying foxes is falling. Bat populations are declining in India because of high rates of deforestation, increased pesticide usage, habitat degradation, and human consumption.

— The Indian flying fox, P.giganteus, often roosts in large trees.

— The Indian Flying Fox is the region’s largest bat and is known to reside close to humans.

— These bats are noted for devouring nectar and fruit. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Indian flying foxes, classified as vermin category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. They cause considerable damage to fruit crops. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: kbb.karnataka.gov.in)

With reference to the Naegleria fowleri, consider the following statements:

1. It lives in freshwater.

2. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare brain infection that is caused by Naegleria fowleri.

3. It infects people when it enters the body through the ears.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— A five-year-old girl undergoing treatment for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare infection caused by Naegleria fowleri or “brain-eating amoeba”, died at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode.

— Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare brain infection that is caused by Naegleria fowleri. It is a free-living amoeba or a single-celled living organism. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Naegleria fowleri lives in warm fresh water and soil all over the planet. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It infects people by entering the body through the nose. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Higher temperatures of up to 115°F (46°C) promote its growth, and it may live for brief periods of time in hotter conditions.

— The amoeba can be found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers, swimming pools, splash pads, surf parks, and other recreational facilities that are poorly managed or have little chlorination.

— Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose, generally while people are swimming. It then travels to the brain, destroying brain tissue and inducing edoema.

— Notably, humans cannot become infected with Naegleria fowleri by ingesting water contaminated with the amoeba. PAM is also noncommunicable.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

T Coronae Borealis was in the news. It is a:

(a) Centaurs

(b) Brown Dwarf

(c) Elliptical Galaxy

(d) Binary Star System

Explanation

— The world is about to see a rare nova explosion, a tremendous increase in the brightness of a star triggered by a thermonuclear explosion on the surface of a dwarf star.

— T Coronae Borealis, often known as the Blaze Star or T CrB, is a binary system in the Northern Crown. This system contains the remains of a dead star the size of Earth, with a mass comparable to the Sun. The T CrB is simply a white dwarf and a red giant planet orbiting each other.

— According to NASA, the T Coronae Borealis lives in the constellation Coronae Borealis. Because of its periodic explosive nature, scientists on Earth have been attentively monitoring this star system for many years. It has been classed as a recurrent nova due to its repeated outbursts.

— It is a binary system, which means the T CrB is made up of two stars: a red giant and a white dwarf. Both of these stars orbit each other, creating ideal conditions for periodic nova outbursts. The T CrB has a thermonuclear detonation on its surface roughly every 80 years. It was last observed from Earth in 1946.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 82)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 82)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 81)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 81)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 81)

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