Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Science and Technology (09 June 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Science and Technology

1. Consider the following sources:

1. Nuclear Fusion
2. Gravitational contraction
3. Chemical Reaction
4. Nuclear fission

Which of the above is/are the source of energy in stars?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Nuclear fusion is the source of energy of the Sun and other stars. Most of the part of Sun is made up of hydrogen and helium. Apart from this, gravitational contraction in stars is also a source of their energy. Hence, option (d) is correct.

2. With reference to DNA barcoding, consider the following statements:

1. DNA barcoding uses a DNA sequence to identify an organism as belonging to a particular species.
2. DNA barcodes reveals adulteration in traditional medicines which contains plant extracts.
3. It can be used in wildlife forensics and detection of invasive species.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • DNA barcoding uses a DNA sequence to identify an organism as belonging to a particular species. It is used to correctly identify similarities within a species. DNA barcodes can prevent mislabeling of processed sea foods.
  • DNA barcodes reveals adulteration in traditional medicines which contains plant extracts. It can be used in wildlife forensics and detection of invasive species. Barcoding can be used for monitoring water quality to ensure safe supply of drinking water. Hence, all the statements are correct.

3. Consider the following pairs

Spacecraft Related Planet
1. Messenger Mercury
2. Akatsuki Mars
3. Juno Jupiter
4. Cassini-Huygens Venus

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Messenger was NASA's robotic spacecraft which orbited the planet mercury between 2011 and 2015.
  • Akatsuki is Japanese veneesian probe tasked to study the atmosphere of venus. Hence, pair two is incorrectly matched. Juno is a NASA space probe orbiting the planet jupiter.
  • Cassini-Huygens was an unmanned space craft sent to the planet saturn. Hence, pair four is also incorrectly matched.

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Hyperspectral imaging is an imaging technique in which electromagnetic radiations of different frequencies can be captured.
2. Hyperspectral imaging can be used for mineral exploration.
3. Bat detectors use Hyperspectral imaging to convert the ultrasound frequencies into audible frequencies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Hyperspectral imaging is an imaging technique in which electromagnetic radiations of different frequencies can be captured. Hyperspectral sensors measure energy in narrower and more numerous bands than multispectral sensors. Images produced from hyperspectral sensors contain much more data and have a greater potential to detect differences among land and water features. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Hyperspectral imaging has been widely used in mineral exploration and mapping, vegetation classification and environment analysis, etc. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Bat detectors use sound frequency converters to convert the ultrasound frequencies into audible frequencies. They do not use hyperspectral imaging. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

5. Consider the following statements, in reference to genetically modified crops:

1. Bt cotton is the only genetically modified (GM) crop that has been approved for commercial cultivation in India.
2. India will import genetically modified (GM) soyameal for the first time to be used as livestock feed.
3. Department of Biotechnology under Ministry of Science & Technology is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Genetically modified organisms are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. Across the world, GM variants of maize, canola and soyabean etc. are available. Bt cotton, the only GM crop that is allowed in India since 2002. India will import genetically modified (GM) soyameal for the first time to be used as livestock feed. Soyameal is a protein-rich solid leftover raw material after extracting oil from soyabean seed. It is a major ingredient of poultry feed. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
  • In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops and works under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.