Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 13, 2025

Answer: B [1, 3, and 4 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Nanotechnology has become an important tool in medicine. It is used in targeted drug delivery, where nanoparticles carry medicines directly to diseased cells, reducing side effects and increasing effectiveness. In regenerative medicine, nanomaterials help in tissue repair and the creation of artificial organs. Techniques such as nano-scaffolds promote faster healing and integration of implants. The nanoscale size allows for better interaction with biological systems, making treatments more precise. Thus, nanotechnology is revolutionizing modern healthcare and is actively applied in cancer therapy, diagnostics, and the development of advanced biomedical devices.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Nanotechnology has had a huge impact in electronics. It is central to the development of smaller, faster, and more efficient devices, from processors and memory chips to quantum dots and nanosensors. Materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene are paving the way for flexible electronics, high-capacity batteries, and improved semiconductors. Without nanotechnology, the trend of miniaturization in electronics (Moore’s Law) would not have advanced so far.

Statement 3 is correct: Nanotechnology contributes meaningfully to environmental science. One of the key applications is in water purification, where nanomaterials like nano-filters and silver nanoparticles help remove contaminants and pathogens. It also supports renewable energy solutions, such as improving solar cells’ efficiency with nanostructured coatings, enhancing hydrogen fuel cells, and developing better energy storage devices. These applications highlight nanotechnology’s role in combating pollution and supporting sustainable energy systems.

Statement 4 is correct: Nanotechnology has transformed the textile industry by enabling fabrics with advanced properties. Nanoparticles are used to create clothes that resist wrinkles, stains, and bacterial growth. For instance, nano-coatings of silver provide antimicrobial properties, while nano-silica can make fabrics water-repellent. These innovations are increasingly being used in sportswear, medical fabrics, and even military uniforms. Such smart textiles not only enhance durability and comfort but also reduce the need for frequent washing. This shows how nanotechnology has expanded beyond high-tech labs into everyday consumer goods.

Answer: B [Only two]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Nanophotonics deals with the study and control of light at the nanometer scale. It focuses on how light interacts with nanostructured materials, such as photonic crystals, nanowires, or plasmonic nanoparticles. Since light can be confined, guided, or enhanced at the nanoscale, this field opens up possibilities in energy, sensing, and advanced optics.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Nanophotonics is not limited to telecommunications. While it does enhance optical communication by enabling faster data transfer and better bandwidth, its applications extend much further. It is used in solar cells to boost light absorption, in biomedical imaging and diagnostics for high-resolution detection, and in quantum computing through photonic qubits.

Statement 3 is correct: Nanophotonics indeed uses quantum dots and metallic nanoparticles to manipulate light. Quantum dots can emit or absorb specific wavelengths of light depending on their size, making them useful in displays, lasers, and bio-labeling. Metallic nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmon resonance, allowing strong confinement and enhancement of light at nanoscale dimensions. These unique properties are the backbone of nanophotonic innovations.

Answer: C [Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect]
Explanation:

Statement I is correct: Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s DNA using biotechnology. It includes techniques such as gene cloning, CRISPR-Cas9 editing, recombinant DNA technology, and transgenesis. The objective is to achieve desired traits—such as disease resistance in crops, production of insulin, or enhanced nutritional value.

Statement II is incorrect: While genetic engineering is precise, it is not free from ethical concerns. Major debates exist over genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene editing in humans, ecological risks, biodiversity loss, and “designer babies”. Issues of bioethics, consent, unintended mutations, and potential misuse in bioweapons are serious concerns.

Answer: A [1, 2 and 3 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The concept of gene therapy was first proposed in the 1960s, when scientists started imagining if faulty genes could be replaced or corrected to cure genetic disorders. However, only by the late 20th century did molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques make this idea practical. The first human gene therapy trial was successfully carried out in 1990 at the U.S. National Institutes of Health on a patient with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). This marked the official beginning of gene therapy as a medical practice, validating decades of theoretical discussions.

Statement 2 is correct: The first successful gene therapy was indeed performed on a young patient, Ashanthi DeSilva, who suffered from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), also known as the “bubble boy disease.” Patients with SCID lack a functioning immune system, leaving them vulnerable to infections. In 1990, doctors removed her white blood cells, inserted a normal ADA gene using a retroviral vector, and reintroduced them into her body. This partially restored her immunity. This success was a milestone in medical history, demonstrating that genetic modification of human cells could treat life-threatening conditions.

Statement 3 is correct: Gene therapy involves directly modifying or replacing defective genes inside a patient’s cells to cure or prevent diseases. Unlike conventional therapies that manage symptoms, this method attempts to address the root genetic cause. It can be done in two main ways: in vivo (within the patient’s body) or ex vivo (cells altered outside and reinfused). This therapy has wide applications for genetic diseases like hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and even cancer. It uses modern tools such as viral vectors and CRISPR-Cas9.

Statement 4 is incorrect: While CRISPR-Cas9 is a groundbreaking gene-editing tool, its application in human embryos has not been universally accepted. Ethical concerns revolve around unintended mutations, long-term consequences, and the moral debate of altering germline DNA, which would pass changes to future generations. The controversial case in 2018, when a Chinese scientist announced the birth of gene-edited babies, was met with global outrage and condemnation. Many countries have banned or strictly regulated such practices.

Answer: D [1, 2 and 4 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Nanomaterials are defined as materials that have at least one dimension in the nanoscale range (1–100 nm) or are produced using nanotechnology methods. These materials include nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, quantum dots, and nanosheets. Their small size allows them to interact with matter at the atomic or molecular level, giving them unique optical, mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. This definition encompasses both naturally occurring nanoscale substances and engineered nanomaterials.

Statement 2 is correct: Nanomaterials often exhibit properties distinct from their bulk counterparts due to their extremely high surface area to volume ratio. This leads to enhanced reactivity, strength, conductivity, and optical properties. For example, nanosilver shows superior antimicrobial activity compared to bulk silver, and carbon nanotubes are much stronger than conventional carbon fibers. These differences enable innovative applications in medicine, electronics, energy storage, and environmental solutions.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While nanomaterials are used in medicine, including targeted drug delivery and diagnostic systems, their applications are not limited to medicine alone. They are extensively used in electronics, renewable energy, water purification, textiles, and coatings, among other industries.

Statement 4 is correct: Nanomaterials contribute to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. For example, nanostructured solar cells increase light absorption, nano-coatings reduce friction in engines, and nano-filters clean water or air more efficiently. These applications help reduce energy consumption, improve resource use, and minimize environmental impact.

Answer: A []
Explanation: