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Plant Physiology: V. Plants: Economic Importance

📆 October 29, 2024

Total Questions: 60

11. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2023]

  1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
  2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.
  3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
  4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) All four
Solution:Mushrooms, which have always been appreciated for their culinary and nutritional value, are now increasingly valued for their many important medicinal properties, so much so that they are used not only as dietary food (functional foods) but also in the form of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and mycotherapy products. Medicinal mushrooms (MMs) are reported to have numerous pharmacological actions such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, antiallergic, antihyperlipidemic, and prebiotic properties, among others. Medicinal mushrooms also represent a valuable natural source of biologically active compounds with fungicidal, herbicidal and insecticidal properties. Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms or 'shrooms,' have a long and rich history of use in various cultures worldwide for their psychoactive and spiritual properties. The active compounds in these mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin, can cause profound changes in perception, mood, and thinking. Some mushrooms, such as Lions Mane, Ghost Fungus and Jack-O-Lantern, have bioluminescent properties that produce cold light due to a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. Hence, statement 4 is also correct.

12. Which of the following is a medicinal crop? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (b) Aloe vera
Solution:Aloe vera is extensively used in beauty products. It has got antiviral and antibacterial properties and the ability to help beat everything from constipation to diabetes. Sugarcane provides sugar, cotton provides natural fibres and mahua provide mahua flower used in food and preparation of wine and its seeds provide vegetable oil.

13. Tulsi plant has medicinal values due to the presence of the following: [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (c) Phenols and Flavonoids
Solution:Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonym-Ocimum sanctum), also known as Tulsi or Holy basil is an aromatic plant and it belongs to the family Lamiaceae. In its leaf many important phytochemical components are present which possess antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, saponins, glycoside, terpenoid and phenol etc. are present in tulsi leaf extract which increase its medicinal values

14. With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

  1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
  2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
  3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:Palm oil tree (Elaeis - from Greek 'oil') is a genus of palms containing two species, called oil palms. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African oil palm Elaeis guineensis is the principal source of palm oil. It is native to west and southwest Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia. The American oil palm Elaeis oleifera is native to tropical Central and South America and is used locally for oil production. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
Since palm oil contains more saturated fats than oils made from canola, corn, linseed, soybeans, safflower, and sunflowers, it can withstand extreme deep-frying heat and resists oxidation. It contains no trans fat, and its use in food has increased. Palm oil is cheap and versatile. It is found in everything from lipstick to ice cream. Palm oil is used in cosmetics for its moisturizing and texturizing properties. Palm oil is used in lipstick as it holds color well, doesn’t melt at high temperatures, and has a smooth application and virtually no taste. Also, palm oil makes perfumes and deodorants more effective and helps the fragrance last longer. Oil from Elaeis guineensis is also used as biofuel. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

15. According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2020]

  1. Cassava
  2. Damaged wheat grains
  3. Groundnut seeds
  4. Horse gram
  5. Rotten potatoes
  6. Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
Solution:As per India's National Policy on Biofuels-2018, potential domestic raw materials for the production of biofuels in the country are:
(i) For Ethanol Production: B-Molasses, sugarcane juice, biomass in form of grass, agricultural residues (rice straw, cotton stalk, corn cobs, sawdust, bagasse, etc.), sugar-containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, etc., and starch-containing materials such as corn, cassava, rotten potatoes, etc.; Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, etc., which are unfit for human consumption; Food grains during surplus phase. Algal feedstock and cultivation of sea weeds can also be a potential feedstock for ethanol production.
(ii) For Biodiesel Production: Non-edible Oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil (UCO), Animal tallow, Acid Oil, Algal feedstock etc.
(iii) For Advanced Biofuels: Biomass, MSW, Industrial waste, Plastic waste etc.
The groundnut seeds or horse gram is not mentioned in this policy document. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

16. Canola refers to a special type of oilseed mustard varieties bred for human consumption. The main characteristic of these varieties is that they: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2000]

Correct Answer: (d) Oil has very low erucic acid content
Solution:Canola refers to a special type of edible oil which was bred naturally from rapeseed at the University of Manitoba, Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson in the early 1970s. Canola seeds are used to produce edible oil, which is considered as safe for human consumption because it has very low erucic acid content. Canola oil has low saturated fat and contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. According to USDA, canola oil contains about 7% saturated fat, 64% monounsaturated fat and 28% polyunsaturated fat.

17. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

  1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.
  2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.
  3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.
  4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.
  5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 3, 4 and 5
Solution:Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree), native to the Indian subcontinent, grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is commonly known as 'drumstick tree' or 'horseradish tree'. Moringa can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and hence widely cultivated across the world. It is not a leguminous tree as it does not fix nitrogen. It is widely cultivated for its young seed pods and leaves, used as vegetables and for traditional herbal medicine. Moringa and its value-added products have a huge market in North America, Europe, Gulf Countries, and in China. India is the largest moringa exporter and meets 80 percent of its world demand. While moringa latte, tea and moringa capsules have huge demand in North America for its weight loss properties, recipes made using moringa oil, and seeds are very popular among Chinese men as an aphrodisiac. In 2020-21, China procured a huge quantity of moringa seeds from India. Seeds of Moringa can also be used in the production of biofuel. Tamarind is a hardwood tree, known scientifically as Tamarindus indica. It is native to Africa but also grows in India, Pakistan, and many other tropical regions. In India most of the tamarind is collected as Minor Forest Produce. Tamarind is also actively exported from India. Biodiesel is derived from the tamarind seeds through the transesterification process. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are incorrect while other three statements are correct.

18. Which of the following leguminous plant is also a petro-plant? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (d) Pongam
Solution:The 'Pongam Tree' is known as one of the richest and brightest trees of India. Its scientific name is Pongamia pinnata. A red oil obtained from the seeds of the 'Pongam Tree' can be used in embracing the skin disease. It is used as bio-diesel as well.

The tree is rich in terms of its various uses. Its seeds produce a valuable oil, which can be used as a biodiesel fuel and for various industrial purposes. The tree is considered bright due to its vibrant green leaves and beautiful, showy purple flowers. Scientific name is Pongamia pinnata.

It is also known as Karanj, Papar, or Kanji in Hindi and Bengali. Native to India and other parts of Asia and Australia, it is now cultivated in many parts of the world. Various parts of the tree have been used in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments.

19. The plants commonly known as (Petro-crops), they are rich in - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

  1. Carbohydrates
  2. Hydrocarbon
  3. Protein
  4. Lipids

Code:

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 4
Solution:Petro-crops refer to those crops which yield biofuel compounds like bio-diesel. Petro-crops are rich in hydrocarbons and lipids. Jatropha is the genus of a flowering plant which is also known as petro-crop.

20. The first bio-diesel plant of the country is being established in - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) Spl. 2004]

Correct Answer: (a) Andhra Pradesh
Solution:India's first biodiesel plant was established at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. This plant, built by Universal Biofuels India, a subsidiary of Aemetis, has a capacity of 50 million US gallons per year. Bioenergy International reports that the Kakinada plant has been upgraded to process lower-cost and waste feedstocks, expand utility capacities, and implement environmental systems. Biodiesel Magazine states that the plant is a key part of India's National Biofuels Policy, which aims for a 5% biodiesel blend.
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