Science and Technology (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

31. The term 'India ARC', sometimes seen in the news, is the name of : [2015-1]

(a) Anindi genously develope dradar system inducted into Indian Defence
(b) India's satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim
(c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region
(d) India's underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

Correct Answer: (d) India's underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

Solution:IndARC stands for India's underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region. This is the country's first underwater moored observatory in the Kongsfjorden fjord, half way between Norway and the North Pole. It represents a major milestone in India's scientific endeavours in the Arctic region. It is developed by Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO), National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). IndARC was deployed from RV Lance which is a research vessel belonging to the Norwegian Polar Institute.

32. Which one of the following is the best description of 'INS Astradharini', that was in the news recently? [2016-1]

(a) Amphibious warfare ship
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Correct Answer: (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

Solution:INS Astradharini is an indigenously designed and built torpedo launch and recovery vessel built by Shoft Shipyard for Indian Navy. It was commissioned by Indian Navy on 6 October 2015 at Naval Base in Visakhapatanam.

33. What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news? [2018-1]

(a) An Israeli radar system
(b) India's indigenous anti-missile Programme
(c) An American anti missile system
(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

Correct Answer: (c) An American anti missile system

Solution:The THAAD system is designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight. USA installed this system in South Korea in 2017, in the wake North Korean missile tests. But this angered China, who feels that deployment of American armaments will upset the regional security balance.

[Ref Indian Express May 2017]

34. In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, 'Pronuclear Transfer" is used for : [2020-1]

(a) Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
(b) Genetic modification of sperm producing cells
(c) Development of stem cells into functional embryos
(d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Correct Answer: (d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Solution:Pronuclear transfer technology was used for creation of a "three-parent baby" - It has DNA from 1) father 2) mother 3) female donor- so as to prevent mitochondrial disease.

35. Aerial metagenomics best refers to which one of the following situations? [2023-1]

(a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go.
(b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat.
(c) Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals.
(d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies.

Correct Answer: (a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go.

Solution:In 2022, the economic magazine had written an article about it how DNA samples of the wild life can be collected from air using aerial Megagenomics technique.

"Aerial metagenomics" refers to the collection and analysis of genetic material (DNA, RNA) directly from environmental samples. In the context of "aerial" metagenomics, it would specifically refer to collecting these samples from the air in a given habitat.

36. 'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following? [2023-1]

(a) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna
(b) Stimulating stem cells' to transform into diverse functional tissues
(c) Promoting clonal propagation of horticultural plants
(d) Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population

Correct Answer: (a) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna

Solution:The correct answer is (a). Microsatellites are small pieces of DNA that are repetitive. They are useful for studying inheritance patterns in families or for creating a DNA fingerprint from crime scene samples and for studding evolution of populations and species.

Microsatelite DNA, also known as short tandem repeats (STRs), is a type of genetic marker that consists of repeating sequences of DNA, It is commonly used in genetic studies, including population genetics and phylogenetic analysis, to study relationships among different species of fauna.

37. Consider the following aircraft: [2024-1]

1. Rafael

2. MiG-29

3. Tejas MK-1

How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?

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

Correct Answer: (d) None

Solution:Fifth-generation fighters, developed in the early 21st century, feature technologies like stealth, super cruise, advanced avionics, and networked data fusion for enhanced situational awareness. Notable examples include the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, Chengdu J-20, and Sukhoi Su-57.

In contrast, the Rafale and Tejas MK-1 are 4.5th-generation fighters, developed by France and India respectively, while the MiG-29 is a fourth-generation fighter developed by Russia. Thus, the correct answer is (d).

38. In which one of the following areas did the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research make significant progress in the year 2005? [2006]

(a) Reprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.
(b) New applications of radioisotopes in metallurgy.
(c) A new technology for production of heavy water.
(d) Anew technology for high level nuclear waste management.

Correct Answer: (a) Reprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.

Solution:The Indira Gandhi Centre has established a comprehensive R & D infrastructure over the entire range of FBR technology, spanning reactor engineering, metallurgy and materials, chemistry of fuels and materials, fuel reprocessing and reactor safety studies. Development of the indigenous plutonium-uranium mixed carbide nuclear fuel for the fast breeder test reactor. The fuel has performed satisfactorily and produced for the first time in our country, nuclear electricity from a fast reactor.

39. In which one of the following locations is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project to be built? [2008]

(a) Northern Spain
(b) Southern France
(c) Eastern Germany
(d) Southern Italy

Correct Answer: (b) Southern France

Solution:ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject, which is currently building the world's largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor adjacent to the Cadarache facility in the south of France.

The ITER members include China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States.

According to the ITER Agreement (2006), the above mentioned seven members will share the cost of project construction, operation and decommissioning.

They also share the experimental results and any intellectual property generated by the fabrication, construction
and operation phases.

40. In the year 2008, which one of the following conducted a complex scientific experiment in which sub-atomic particles were accelerated to nearly the speed of light? [2009]

(a) European Space Agency
(b) European Organization for Nuclear Research
(c) International Atomic Energy Agency
(d) National Aeronautics and Space administration

Correct Answer: (b) European Organization for Nuclear Research

Solution:European organisation for Nuclear Research conducted a complex scientific experiment in year 2008, in which sub. atomic particles were accelerated to nearly the speed of light.

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