Q1. Which of the following protozoan parasites is responsible for causing malaria?
A. a. Trypanosoma
B. b. Plasmodium
C. c. Entamoeba
D. d. Giardia
Answer: B [b. Plasmodium] Explanation:
a is incorrect:Trypanosoma causes diseases such as African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. b is correct: Malaria is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. c is incorrect: Entamoeba causes amoebiasis, a type of dysentery. d is incorrect:Giardia causes giardiasis, an intestinal infection.
Q2.
Q2. Consider the following statements about weather satellites:
Weather satellites are primarily used for monitoring the Earth’s weather and climate.
Geostationary satellites orbit the Earth at the same rate that the Earth rotates, allowing them to stay over a fixed point on the surface.
Polar orbiting satellites can only capture data from the region directly below them at any given time.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. a. Only one
B. b. Only two
C. c. All three
D. d. None
Answer: B [b. Only two] Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Weather satellites play a crucial role in monitoring the Earth’s weather and climate, providing data for forecasting weather and analyzing climate patterns. Statement 2 is correct: Geostationary satellites are positioned over the equator and orbit at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation. This allows them to remain stationary relative to the surface of the Earth, making them ideal for continuous monitoring of specific areas. Statement 3 is incorrect: While it is true that polar orbiting satellites capture data from the region directly below them, they orbit the Earth in such a way that they can cover the entire Earth’s surface over a period of time, not just the area directly below them at any given moment.
Q3.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Vacuoles:
Vacuoles in plant cells maintain turgor pressure and can store anthocyanin pigments, but are absent in animal cells.
Contractile vacuoles in some protists, like Amoeba, are crucial for osmoregulation in hypotonic environments.
Food vacuoles, formed by the fusion of lysosomes and phagosomes, contain hydrolytic enzymes for intracellular digestion.
The tonoplast membrane utilizes proton pumps to regulate the vacuolar pH and influence cytoplasmic ion concentrations.
Apart from water, vacuoles can store ions, sugars, amino acids, and certain metabolic byproducts.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. a. 1 and 5 only
B. b. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. c. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
D. d. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
Answer: D [d. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only] Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: While vacuoles are prominent in plant cells, contributing to turgor pressure and storing pigments like anthocyanins, smaller vacuoles with diverse functions also exist in animal cells. Statement 2 is correct: Contractile vacuoles in freshwater protists like Amoeba actively expel excess water to maintain osmotic balance in their hypotonic surroundings. Statement 3 is correct: Food vacuoles arise from the fusion of lysosomes (containing hydrolytic enzymes) and phagosomes (engulfing food particles), facilitating intracellular digestion. Statement 4 is correct: Proton pumps in the tonoplast membrane regulate the pH within the vacuole and generate an electrochemical gradient that drives the transport of various ions across the membrane, indirectly influencing cytoplasmic ion concentrations. Statement 5 is correct: Besides water, vacuoles store a range of substances, including ions, sugars, amino acids, and metabolic byproducts, reflecting their diverse roles in cellular storage and homeostasis.
Q4.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the challenges in gene therapy:
Gene therapy can currently treat any genetic disorder.
Delivering the gene to the correct cells or tissues in the body is a significant challenge.
There is a risk of triggering an immune response against the introduced vectors or the therapeutic proteins they produce.
How many of the Statements given above are correct?
A. a. Only one
B. b. Only two
C. c. All three
D. d. None
Answer: B [b. Only two] Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Gene therapy is a promising field but it is not yet capable of treating all genetic disorders. The technology and understanding of genetic diseases are still evolving, and there are many challenges to overcome before gene therapy can be applied universally. Statement 2 is correct: One of the major challenges in gene therapy is the delivery of the therapeutic gene to the correct cells or tissues in the body. This is crucial for the therapy to be effective and to minimize side effects. Statement 3 is correct: Introducing foreign genetic material into the body can trigger an immune response. This can lead to the destruction of the vector delivering the gene or the cells expressing the new gene, thereby reducing the efficacy of the therapy or causing adverse effects.
Q5.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR):
The MTCR is an informal, voluntary arrangement and not a legally binding treaty.
The MTCR’s scope includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of delivering a 500 kg payload over 300 km.
Membership in the MTCR is mandatory for any country seeking to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
MTCR guidelines call for careful consideration of export licenses for dual-use technologies that could contribute to missile development programs.
How many of the statements given above are incorrect?
A. a. Only one
B. b. Only two
C. c. Only three
D. d. None
Answer: A [a. Only one] Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The MTCR is a voluntary, non-treaty partnership. Participating countries commit to guidelines but aren’t bound by a formal treaty. Statement 2 is correct: The MTCR covers delivery systems, including UAVs, meeting the specified payload/range criteria, reflecting its broader focus on WMD delivery mechanisms. Statement 3 is incorrect: MTCR membership is not a formal requirement for NSG membership, though alignment with non-proliferation norms is often considered. Statement 4 is correct: The MTCR guidelines emphasize careful scrutiny of exports, particularly dual-use technologies, to minimize the risk of contributing to missile programs of concern.
