UPSC Geoscientist Archives

91. Which one among the following is living and non-nucleated at maturity

Which one among the following is living and non-nucleated at maturity ?

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Sieve tubes

Companion cells

Collenchyma

Parenchyma

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Sieve tubes are component cells of the phloem, responsible for the transport of sugars. At functional maturity, sieve tube elements are living cells but have lost their nucleus, vacuole, and other major organelles. They rely on associated companion cells for metabolic support. Companion cells, collenchyma, and parenchyma are all living and nucleated at maturity.

The absence of a nucleus and other organelles in mature sieve tube elements allows for efficient transport of phloem sap. Despite lacking a nucleus, they are considered living because they maintain a functioning plasma membrane and some cytoplasmic components, supported by the companion cells which are connected to them via plasmodesmata.

92. Which one among the following diseases does not yet have any effective

Which one among the following diseases does not yet have any effective vaccine ?

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Chicken pox

Typhoid

Viral Hepatitis C

Human Papilloma virus

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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As of late 2023 / early 2024, effective vaccines are available for Chickenpox, Typhoid, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). However, there is no effective vaccine currently available to prevent Viral Hepatitis C infection.

While there is no vaccine, Hepatitis C is curable with antiviral medications. Research is ongoing to develop a vaccine for Hepatitis C, which is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.

93. Which one among the following diseases is characteristically and speci

Which one among the following diseases is characteristically and specifically linked to asbestosis ?

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Liver fibrosis

Lung fibrosis

Mesothelioma

Pleural effusion

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is characteristically and specifically linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos exposure is a well-established cause of several respiratory and pleural diseases, including asbestosis (a type of lung fibrosis), lung cancer, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and mesothelioma. While asbestosis is the fibrotic disease caused by asbestos, mesothelioma is a distinct malignancy that is particularly strongly and specifically associated with asbestos exposure compared to other causes.

Mesothelioma primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), but can also occur in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium), or testes. There is a long latency period, often decades, between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma. Liver fibrosis has different causes (e.g., viral hepatitis, alcohol). Pleural effusion can have many causes, including but not limited to asbestos exposure. While asbestos causes lung fibrosis (asbestosis), mesothelioma is considered the most specific and characteristic *malignancy* linked to it.

94. Many fruits burst with a sudden jerk because of which the seeds are sc

Many fruits burst with a sudden jerk because of which the seeds are scattered a few yards from the parent plant. This type of dispersal of seeds is known as :

Anemochory

Hydrochory

Autochory

Zoochory

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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The dispersal of seeds by the plant itself through mechanisms like sudden bursting of fruits is known as Autochory.

Autochory refers to seed dispersal that is achieved by the plant itself, without reliance on external agents like wind, water, or animals. This can happen through various mechanisms, including explosive dehiscence of fruits or pods, where tension builds up in the drying fruit wall leading to a sudden burst that ejects the seeds.

Anemochory is dispersal by wind (e.g., dandelion seeds). Hydrochory is dispersal by water (e.g., coconut). Zoochory is dispersal by animals (e.g., seeds consumed and excreted, or seeds attached to fur). The description provided clearly matches the definition of autochory via an explosive mechanism.

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95. As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, which of the following s

As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, which of the following states has maximum percentage of its geographical area under forest cover ?

Madhya Pradesh

Manipur

Meghalaya

Mizoram

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, Mizoram has the maximum percentage of its geographical area under forest cover among the given options and also nationwide.

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) biennially assesses the forest cover of the country. The ISFR 2021 reported that the top five states in terms of percentage of geographical area under forest cover are Mizoram (84.93%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%), and Nagaland (73.90%).

While states like Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have large areas of forest cover, the question specifically asks for the maximum *percentage* of geographical area. North Eastern states generally have high percentages of forest cover due to their hilly terrain and climate.

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96. Which two of the following states are the leading producers of Bauxite

Which two of the following states are the leading producers of Bauxite in India as per the Annual Report of the Ministry of Mines 2022 – 23 ?

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1. Odisha
2. Chhattisgarh
3. Jharkhand
4. Gujarat

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 and 2

1 and 3

1 and 4

2 and 4

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Based on recent data from the Ministry of Mines/Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Odisha and Gujarat are the two leading producer states of Bauxite in India.

Odisha is consistently the largest producer of Bauxite in India, contributing more than half of the country’s total production. According to the Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022 (data for 2021-22) and figures cited in the Ministry of Mines reports, Gujarat ranks as the second largest producer of bauxite, followed by Jharkhand and then Chhattisgarh.

Bauxite is the primary ore for aluminum production. India has significant bauxite reserves. The major bauxite belts are located in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. The production is dominated by a few states, with Odisha being the clear leader.

97. Which of the following statements regarding groundnut cultivation in I

Which of the following statements regarding groundnut cultivation in India is/are correct ?

1. Groundnut is a Rabi crop.
2. Gujarat is an important state for Groundnut cultivation.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement 2 is correct, while Statement 1 is incorrect. Groundnut is predominantly a Kharif crop in India.

Statement 1: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is primarily grown as a Kharif crop in India, cultivated during the monsoon season (June-October). While it is also grown to a lesser extent as a Rabi crop (winter) and summer crop in some irrigated areas, its main season is Kharif. Therefore, the statement that it *is* a Rabi crop is inaccurate as a general description.
Statement 2: Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnut in India, contributing a significant portion to the country’s total groundnut production. Other important producing states include Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Groundnut is an important oilseed crop and a source of protein. Its cultivation requires warm climate and moderate rainfall. India is one of the largest producers of groundnut globally.

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98. Which of the following statements regarding Tropical Deciduous forests

Which of the following statements regarding Tropical Deciduous forests in India is/are correct ?

1. They are the most widespread forests in India.
2. They spread over regions which receive annual rainfall between 70 – 200 cm.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Both statements regarding Tropical Deciduous forests in India are correct.

Statement 1: Tropical Deciduous forests are indeed the most widespread type of forests in India, covering vast areas across different regions, including the monsoon forests.
Statement 2: Tropical Deciduous forests are classified based on rainfall. Moist deciduous forests receive annual rainfall between 100-200 cm, while Dry deciduous forests receive rainfall between 70-100 cm. Combining both types, the range of rainfall for tropical deciduous forests is typically between 70 cm and 200 cm.

Tropical Deciduous forests are also known as Monsoon Forests because the trees in these forests shed their leaves during the dry season, similar to the seasonal pattern influenced by monsoon rains. Important species found in these forests include Teak, Sal, Sandalwood, Bamboo, etc.

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99. Which one among the following islands in South-East Asia is situated b

Which one among the following islands in South-East Asia is situated between Wallace’s Line and Weber’s Line that are related to Bio-diversity ?

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Borneo

Celebes (Sulawesi)

Java

New Guinea

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Celebes (Sulawesi) is an island situated in Wallacea, the biogeographical transition zone between Wallace’s Line and Weber’s Line in Southeast Asia.

Wallace’s Line is a faunal boundary line drawn in 1859 by Alfred Russel Wallace that separates the biogeographical realms of Asia and Wallacea, a transitional zone. It passes through the Indonesian archipelago. Weber’s Line, proposed by Max Carl Wilhelm Weber, runs slightly east of Wallace’s Line and is considered the boundary where the fauna is approximately 50% Asian and 50% Australian in origin. The islands situated between these two lines are part of Wallacea.

Borneo and Java lie west of Wallace’s Line and belong to the Asian faunal region. New Guinea lies east of Weber’s Line and belongs to the Australasian faunal region. Celebes (Sulawesi) is one of the largest islands entirely within Wallacea, the zone between the two lines.

100. Which one of the following Ni(II) complexes is diamagnetic and has tet

Which one of the following Ni(II) complexes is diamagnetic and has tetrahedral geometry ?

”[NiCl₄

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Answer is Wrong!

²⁻” option2=”[Ni(CO)₄]” option3=”[Ni(NH₃)₄]²⁺” option4=”[Ni(CN)₄]²⁻” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Among the given options, [Ni(CO)₄] is both diamagnetic and has tetrahedral geometry.

[Ni(CO)₄]: In this complex, Nickel is in the 0 oxidation state (Ni(0)). Its electron configuration is d¹⁰. All 10 d electrons are paired. The hybridization is sp³, resulting in a tetrahedral geometry. Since all electrons are paired, the complex is diamagnetic.
For Ni(II) complexes (d⁸):
– [NiCl₄]²⁻: Cl⁻ is a weak field ligand. Forms a tetrahedral complex (sp³ hybridization) which is paramagnetic (2 unpaired electrons).
– [Ni(NH₃)₄]²⁺: NH₃ is a moderate field ligand. Can form tetrahedral (sp³, paramagnetic) or square planar (dsp², diamagnetic) complexes depending on conditions, but the tetrahedral form is paramagnetic.
– [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻: CN⁻ is a strong field ligand. Forms a square planar complex (dsp² hybridization) which is diamagnetic (all electrons paired).

The question specifically asks for a Ni(II) complex that is diamagnetic and tetrahedral. Based on standard crystal field and valence bond theories, Ni(II) (d⁸) tetrahedral complexes are typically paramagnetic, while diamagnetic Ni(II) complexes are typically square planar. Therefore, none of the Ni(II) options (A, C, D) are both diamagnetic and tetrahedral. However, option B, [Ni(CO)₄], is tetrahedral and diamagnetic, fitting these two criteria perfectly, although it is a Ni(0) complex. This suggests a likely error in the question’s specification of “Ni(II) complexes”, and that option B was the intended answer despite this discrepancy. As per the provided options, B is the only complex listed that possesses both tetrahedral geometry and diamagnetic character.

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