Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Science and Technology (25 August 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 statements, with reference to CRISPER Cas-9:

1. CRISPER is a gene editing technology.
2. It involves the introduction of any new gene from the outside.
3. Sickle cell anemia is the first disease that is targeted for CRISPER-based therapy in India.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • India approved a 5-year project to develop Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPER) to cure sickle cell anemia in 2021 and it is the first disease that is being targeted for CRISPER based therapy in India. It is a gene editing technology which replicates natural defense mechanism in bacteria to fight virus attacks using a special protein called Cas9. It usually involves the introduction of new gene or suppression of an existing gene through a process described as genetic engineering. Hence, statement 1 and 3 are correct.
  • CRISPER technology does not involve the introduction of any new gene from the outside. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

2. With reference to ‘New Space India Limited’, consider the following statements:

1. It is the country’s first public sector undertaking in the space sector.
2. It aims to produce and market space based services.
3. It enables collaboration with start-ups and private sector participants without any government intervention.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • New Space India Limited (NSIL) has been established on March 6, 2019.
  • It is the country’s first public sector undertaking in the space sector. It aims to produce and market space based services. It enables collaboration with start-ups and private sector participants without any government intervention. Hence, all statements are correct.

3. With reference to aircraft/launch vehicle engines, consider the following statements:

1. Ramjet, scramjet, turbojet etc. are engines which do not use oxygen present in the atmosphere for combustion of fuel.
2. Rocket engines, cryogenic engines, etc. are such engines, which use the oxygen present in the atmosphere for the combustion of fuel.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Ramjet, scramjet, turbojet etc are such engines, which use oxygen present in the atmosphere for combustion of fuel. Rocket engines, cryogenic engines, semichromogenic engines do not use the oxygen present in the atmosphere for fuel combustion, but carry oxygen with them. Hence, both the statements are incorrect.

4. With reference to nanoparticles, consider the following statements:

1. They can enter the organisms through the cell membranes.
2. These particles collect in the atmosphere; pollute the water and the environment.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Nanoparticle is very much a reaction factor or catalytic factor. These particles collect in the atmosphere, polluting the water and the environment. Nanoparticles can enter the food chain. Hence, both the statements are correct.

5. “Lakshya” and “Nishant” developed by DRDO are:

(a) Ballistic Missile System
(b) Combat Engineering Equipment
(c) Naval System
(d) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Answer: (D)

Explanation: “Lakshya” is a high speed target drone system developed by DRDO. The drone is controlled by a ground control station. “Nishant” is mainly used for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, training, surveillance, artillery fire correction, damage assessment, ELINT and SIGINT in enemy territory. Hence, option (d) is correct.