Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 30th September 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights how dead coral skeletons obstruct the natural regeneration of coral reefs by providing shelter for macroalgae, impeding herbivory, and intensifying competition with young corals. Statement-II complements this by pointing out that the presence of dead corals disrupts the ecosystem balance, complicating the reef's ability to regenerate organically. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains the implications described in Statement-I.

Statement 1: This statement is correct. The complex structure of dead coral skeletons provides shelter for macroalgae (seaweed), making it difficult for herbivores to access and graze on them. This leads to rapid colonization of the reef by seaweed, which outcompetes juvenile corals.

Statement 2: This statement is also correct. Reefs can recover more easily after disturbances such as cyclones that remove coral but leave a flat surface because young corals can settle and grow without substantial competition from macroalgae. A flat substrate provides a more conducive environment for coral regeneration.

Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. Corals typically spawn just once a year, not multiple times. This limited reproductive frequency gives algae, which can reproduce continuously, a competitive edge in occupying space left by dead coral.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only.

Conclusion: The correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, and both of them explain Statement-I.

Explanation:
Statement-I discusses how dead coral skeletons hinder reef regeneration. Both Statement-II and Statement-III correctly describe mechanisms by which dead coral skeletons impede regeneration. Statement-II explains that the skeletons provide shelter for macroalgae, making it difficult for herbivores to graze, allowing algae to dominate, which prevents juvenile corals from establishing. Statement-III further adds that the presence of dead corals disrupts the natural ecosystem balance between herbivores, algae, and coral, complicating the reef’s natural recovery processes. Therefore, both statements are correct and together explain the hindrance to coral reef regeneration.

Answer: (c) Only three

Explanation:

• Row 1 is correct: Mission Shakti is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and aims for the empowerment and protection of women.
• Row 2 is incorrect: Poshan 2.0 is under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, not the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Row 3 is correct: Mission Vatsalya is correctly placed under the Ministry of Women and Child Development and focuses on child welfare.
• Row 4 is correct: Saksham Anganwadi is correctly placed under the Ministry of Women and Child Development for early childhood care and Anganwadi infrastructure.

Thus, only three rows are correctly matched.

The "Make in India" initiative, introduced by PM Modi in 2014, primarily aims to elevate India's global competitiveness in the manufacturing sector, fostering a conducive environment for innovation and manufacturing growth. This initiative seeks to position India as a hub for manufacturing and design, thereby enhancing economic stature and creating employment opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

1. LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment: A dark matter detection initiative located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, USA, not at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.
- Incorrect. The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment is a dark matter detection initiative located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, USA, not at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.

2. Neutrino Fog: Interference caused by neutrinos in dark matter detection experiments.
- Correct. Neutrino Fog refers to the interference caused by neutrinos in experiments designed to detect dark matter, making it harder to distinguish actual dark matter interactions from neutrino-induced signals.

3. Arogya Sanjeevani Policy: A health insurance policy launched by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- Correct. The Arogya Sanjeevani Policy is indeed a health insurance policy launched by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to provide affordable health coverage.

4. Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0: An initiative aiming for a "Garbage Free" India by 2025.
- Incorrect. Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 was launched with the goal of achieving a "Garbage Free" India by 2026 and not 2025  focusing on sustainable sanitation, effective waste management, and enhancement of urban cleanliness.

Pairs 2, 3, are correctly matched, but only two pairs (pairs 2 and 3) are considered correctly matched based on the provided options.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

The Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, launched in April 2020, aims to offer fundamental and affordable health insurance coverage to all citizens. It provides a range of coverage including hospitalization, pre and post-hospitalization expenses, daycare procedures, AYUSH treatments, and coverage for COVID-19. This policy sets out specific details such as the sum insured, co-payment requirements, waiting periods, and eligibility criteria, making it a comprehensive health insurance option for individuals between 18 to 65 years of age.

Statement 1 is correct: The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment is indeed located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, USA, and its primary objective is to detect dark matter particles.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Neutrino Fog does not refer to the interference caused by cosmic rays. Instead, it describes the interference caused by neutrinos in experiments designed to detect dark matter. Neutrinos, not cosmic rays, create a "fog" that can obscure or mimic genuine dark matter interactions.

Statement 3 is correct: The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment uses liquid xenon to detect interactions between dark matter particles and xenon atoms. When a dark matter particle interacts with a xenon atom, it generates a minuscule flash of light and liberates electrons, which are then captured by advanced detection equipment.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Corals: Marine invertebrates composed of genetically identical organisms known as polyps. This is correctly matched. Corals are indeed marine invertebrates made up of polyps.

2. Zooxanthellae: Microscopic algae that live within coral tissues and perform photosynthesis. This is correctly matched. Zooxanthellae are microscopic algae that live inside coral tissues and perform photosynthesis, providing essential nutrients to the corals.

3. Dead Coral Skeletons: Provide a flat substrate that aids in coral regeneration. This is incorrectly matched. Dead coral skeletons hinder reef regeneration by providing shelter for seaweed, which outcompetes juvenile corals. A flat substrate aids in regeneration, but dead coral structures do not typically provide this flat surface.

4. Coral Reefs: Largest living structures on Earth, playing a vital role in supporting marine biodiversity. This is correctly matched. Coral reefs are indeed the largest living structures on Earth and are crucial for supporting a diverse range of marine life.

So, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is not.

Answer: Option C

Statement-I is accurate as the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment indeed involves a tank filled with liquid xenon to detect dark matter particles. Statement-II correctly describes neutrino fog and its potential to interfere with dark matter detection by creating signals that can be mistaken for genuine dark matter interactions. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I; it provides additional context related to interference in dark matter experiments rather than explaining the methodology of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment.