Biology (Part-III) (UPSC)

Total Questions: 50

41. Consider the following statements with reference to the human body: [2006]

1. The common bile duct releases its contents into stomach.

2. The pancreatic duct releases its contents into duodenum.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Bile duct and pancreatic duct both releases its contents into duodenum. The digestive enzyme (pancreatic juices) releases to duodenum from pancreatic duct.

42. Which one among the nutritional calcium? [2006]

Correct Answer: (a) Rice
Solution:Rice is not a good source of calcium.

Milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich natural sources of calcium. Most grains do not have high amounts of calcium unless they are fortified. However, they contribute to calcium intakes, even though they contain small amounts of calcium, because people consume them frequently.

43. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. Caffeine, a constituent of tea and coffee is a diuretic.

2. Citric acid is used in soft drinks.

3. Ascorbic acid is essential for formation of bones and teeth.

4. Citric acid is a good substitution ascorbic acid in our nutrition.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:Caffeine is most commonly consumed by humans in infusions extracted from the bean of the coffee plant and the leaves of the tea bush, as well as from various foods and drinks containing products derived from the kola nut. Acids are added to soft drinks for extra bite and mouth feel. The primary acid used in colas is phosphoric acid, while the one used in citrus flavoured drinks is usually citric acid. Citric acid is a good substitution of ascorbic acid as per nutritional value.

44. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. ELISA test is employed as the first and most basic test for an individual to detect cancer.

2. Almost 50% of human beings have Rh+ blood while the remaining have Rh-blood.

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

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:

• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a broad diagnostic tool for detecting antibodies, antigens, proteins, and hormones in bodily fluids, often used for infections (HIV, hepatitis).
• While ELISA can detect some cancer-related tumor markers, it’s usually a screening or monitoring tool, not the first and basic cancer diagnostic test; a positive ELISA often needs a more specific, confirmatory test like a Western blot or imaging for cancer diagnosis.
• The Rh factor (positive or negative) relates to the presence of the Rh protein on red blood cells.
• Globally, about 85% of people are Rh-positive (Rh+), and around 15% are Rh-negative (Rh-).

45. What is the name of the vessel that delivers the nutrient/rich blood from the stomach and small intestine to the liver? [2006]

Correct Answer: (d) Hepatic portal vein
Solution:Hepatic portal vein deliver the nutrient rich blood from the stomach and small intestine to the liver. It is the largest gland in the body.

The hepatic portal vein supplies 75% of the blood to the liver, while the hepatic arteries supply the remaining 25%.

46. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2006]

List-I (Recent Scientific Achievement) List-II (Country) 
(a) Creating the world first mouse with a full human chromosomeU. K
(b) Cloning a human embryo for the first timeGermany
(c) Guiding a spacecraft for collision with a cometU.S.A.
(d) Landing a spacecraft on an asteroidJapan
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:Cloning a human embryo for the first time took place in U.SA. Cloning is a process when identical types of progenies are produced from one individual.
Cloning is the process of producing genetically identical copies of organisms, cells and molecules. It is a new highly important technique in modern biotechnology, genetics and medicine. Dolly, the sheep’s birth in 1996, was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell. This process brought global attention to the possibilities and dilemmas of cloning. While cloning has high potential in scientific research, agriculture, and regenerative medicine, it also raises profound ethical, social, and ecological questions, particularly when extended to humans and higher animals. In this article, we are going to cover cloning, its types, advantages as well as disadvantages.

47. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. Meningococcal Meningitis is transmitted from person to person by mosquito bites.

2. Vomiting and neck pain are two of the symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis.

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

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Meningococcal meningitis is transmitted from person to person through cough and having a body contact on a regular basis. It is called droplet transmission.
• About Meningococcal Disease
• It is a rare but serious bacterial infection.
• It causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.
• The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and septicemia. Both of these types of infections are very serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours.
• Causes:
• It is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitides.
• About 1 in 10 people have these bacteria in the back of their nose and throat without being ill. This is called being a ‘carrier’.
• Sometimes the bacteria invade the body and cause certain illnesses, which are known as meningococcal disease.
• Transmission:
• People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit).
• Generally, takes close or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria.
• They are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.

48. Robert Webster is known for his work associated with which one of the following? [2007]

Correct Answer: (b) Influenza virus
Solution:Robert Webster is a scientist, his interests include the structure and function of influenza virus proteins and development of new vaccines and antivirals.
• Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract which is considered to be one of the life-threatening infectious diseases.
• The virus can be transmitted by direct contact with infected individuals, via contaminated objects (also called fomites) and by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols.
• An unexpected emergence of a new and highly virulent influenza virus strains can result in a world-wide pandemics with high morbidity and mortality – such as the “avian flu” in 1997 and “swine flu” in 2009.
• Human influenza viruses are single-stranded RNA viruses. The main targets of the virus are the columnar epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, i.e. trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.
• Infectivity of influenza virus particles depends on the pH, temperature and salinity of the water, as well as the UV radiation.

49. In the human body, which structure is the appendix attached to? [2007]

Correct Answer: (a) The large intestine
Solution:Appendix is attached to the first portion of large intestine. The appendix has no function in modern human.
An appendix is a small, finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine, known for potentially causing appendicitis if inflamed, but also researched for roles in immunity and gut health as a "safe house" for good gut bacteria, though its exact function remains debated; removal (appendectomy) is a common treatment for appendicitis, and people live without it.
The appendix is an important component of mammalian mucosal immune function, particularly B cell-mediated immune responses and extrathymically derived T cells. This structure helps in the proper movement and removal of waste matter in the digestive system, contains lymphatic vessels that relate pathogens, and lastly, might even produce early defense from invading pathogens and stimulating B and T cells to fight viruses and bacteria that infect that portion of the bowel and training them so that immune responses are targeted and more able to fight pathogens. In addition, immune cells called innate lymphoid cells help the appendix maintain digestive health.

50. In human body, which one of the following hormones regulates blood calcium and phosphate? [2007]

Correct Answer: (c) Parathyroid hormone
Solution:Parathyroid hormone secrets from parathyroid gland. This hormone regulates calcium and phosphate level in blood. Parathyroid hormone raises the level of calcium in the blood and decreases the level of phosphorous in the blood.