Test: Science and Technology MCQs(June 2024 Current Affairs) - UPSC MCQ

1. Comet - Often called dirty snowballs: Correct. Comets are often referred to as dirty snowballs because they are composed of ice, dust, and rocky material.

2. Meteors - Burn completely in Earth's atmosphere: Correct. Most meteors, which are tiny grains of dust or rock, burn up completely in the Earth's atmosphere.

3. Halley's Comet - Last seen in 1986: Incorrect. Halley's Comet was last observed in 1986 and is expected to return to the inner solar system in 2061.

4. Eta Aquariid meteor shower - Visible mainly in the Northern Hemisphere: Incorrect. The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is best visible in the Southern Hemisphere, where about 30 to 40 meteors can be seen per hour during its peak.

Statement-I accurately describes the purpose and requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention, emphasizing the ban on chemical weapons and the obligation for states to disclose their arsenals and production sites. Statement-II provides factual information on the convention's inception date, the number of states-parties, and India's involvement as a signatory. Statement-II complements Statement-I by offering additional details about the convention's history and India's participation.

Statement 1 is correct. Food irradiation is used to prevent spoilage, kill germs, and stop pests in stored food. This technique ensures food safety by delaying sprouting and extending shelf life.

Statement 2 is correct. India's hot and humid climate indeed leads to significant food spoilage due to insect infestation and microbial contamination.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Post-harvest losses in India are about 40-50%, not less than 20%, due to factors like insect infestation, microbiological contamination, sprouting, ripening, and poor shelf life.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 2 Only.

Enterobacter bugandensis is highlighted in the study due to its association with hospital-acquired infections and its resistance to antibiotics, particularly third-generation antibiotics like cephalosporins and quinolones. This resistance poses a significant challenge in treatment, making it a priority microbe for developing new antimicrobials according to the World Health Organization. This bacterium's behavior in the unique environment of the ISS sheds light on how it genetically and functionally differs from its Earth counterparts, showcasing the impact of the space environment on microbial behavior.

Statement-I correctly describes Chloropicrin as a chemical compound used in warfare and as a pesticide, with irritant properties similar to tear gas. It also mentions its absorption methods. Statement-II provides accurate details on Chloropicrin's appearance and manufacturing process involving sodium hypochlorite and nitromethane or chloroform with nitric acid. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the characteristics and production process of Chloropicrin as described in Statement-I.

The spread of antimicrobial-resistant microbes between people and animals is largely facilitated by the inappropriate use of medicines, such as antibiotics, for conditions they are not designed to treat. For instance, using antibiotics for viral infections like the flu contributes to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Proper antibiotic stewardship, appropriate diagnosis, and targeted treatment are crucial in combating the rise of antimicrobial resistance in both human and animal populations.

Statement-I correctly highlights that in 2022, approximately 848 million people received treatment for at least one neglected tropical disease through preventive chemotherapy interventions, as per the provided information. However, Statement-II inaccurately suggests that in 2022, the number of reported deaths from vector-borne neglected tropical diseases increased by 22% compared to 2016. This claim is not supported by the information provided in the text, making Statement-II incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is that Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

1. WHO - Reported TTS cases post-Covishield vaccination in April 2021: Correct. The World Health Organization reported TTS cases in April 2021.
2. Covishield - Uses mRNA technology: Incorrect. Covishield uses adenovirus vector technology, not mRNA technology.
3. AstraZeneca - Denied TTS caused by vaccine at a generic level: Correct. AstraZeneca denied that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level.
4. Serum Institute of India - Manufactures Covishield in India: Correct. The Serum Institute of India manufactures Covishield in India.

Statement 1 is correct. Food irradiation is used to delay the ripening of fruits and vegetables, which helps in extending their shelf life.

Statement 2 is correct. Food irradiation is effective in eliminating harmful bacteria and parasites in seafood, meat, and poultry, ensuring these food products are safe for consumption.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Food irradiation involves exposing food to ionising radiation, such as gamma rays, electron beams, or X-rays, not non-ionising radiation like microwave radiation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Covishield - Developed by Serum Institute of India: Incorrect. Covishield was developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the University of Oxford and is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
2. TTS - Characterized by low platelet counts and blood clots: Correct. Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) involves blood clots and low platelet counts.
3. Adenovirus vectors - Used in gene therapy and cancer gene therapy: Correct. Adenovirus vectors are commonly used for these purposes due to their efficiency and safety profile.
4. Heparin - Anticoagulant with antithrombotic properties: Correct. Heparin is a well-known anticoagulant with antithrombotic properties.

Statement-I accurately states that neglected tropical diseases receive significantly less funding for research and development compared to diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as mentioned in the text. Statement-II complements Statement-I by explaining that the complex epidemiology of NTDs, often involving factors like vector-borne transmission and complex life cycles, contributes to their neglect and makes them harder to control, contrary to the notion that they are simpler diseases. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides an explanation for Statement-I.

A key advantage of the production method of Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) mentioned in the text is the utilization of a non-chemical autolysis process. This process helps in preserving the integrity of amino acids and other valuable components present in CGF. By avoiding the use of harsh chemicals, the nutritional quality of CGF is maintained, making it a desirable protein supplement for both humans and animals.

The primary function of a hydrogen maser atomic clock is to provide even more precise timekeeping than cesium atomic clocks. Hydrogen maser clocks are used in scientific research due to their exceptional accuracy, making them crucial for applications that require the highest levels of precision in time measurement.

- Statement 1 is correct: The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is indeed a molecular nuclear technique that can be used to rapidly detect animal diseases.

- Statement 2 is correct: Food irradiation is a process that involves exposing food to ionising radiation to eliminate harmful bacteria, pathogens, and pests. This technique helps to extend the shelf life of food products and ensure their safety for consumption.

- Statement 3 is incorrect: Stable isotope analysis is used to determine the origin and authenticity of food products and helps to detect adulteration and verify labelling claims, not for measuring the health of soils and rate of soil erosion.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights NISAR Satellite’s capability to monitor Earth’s tectonic movements with centimeter-level precision. Statement-II correctly describes the technology used by NISAR, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which employs radars to create high-resolution images, thereby supporting Statement-I's claims. Therefore, both statements are accurate, with Statement-II providing the technological context for Statement-I.