UPSC NDA-1

31. In a plant cell, which one of the following contains their own DNA ?

In a plant cell, which one of the following contains their own DNA ?

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Nucleus and Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ribosome and Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria and Chloroplast
Chloroplast and Vacuoles
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The correct answer is C) Mitochondria and Chloroplast.
In a plant cell (which is a eukaryotic cell), the majority of the genetic material (DNA) is located in the nucleus. However, some organelles within the plant cell also contain their own DNA. These are mitochondria and chloroplasts (which are a type of plastid). Both mitochondria and chloroplasts are thought to have originated from endosymbiotic events and retain their own small, circular DNA molecules (mtDNA and cpDNA, respectively), as well as their own ribosomes (70S type, similar to prokaryotes), allowing them to synthesize some of their own proteins. The Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ribosomes (cytoplasmic), Golgi apparatus, and Vacuoles are all organelles found in plant cells, but they do not contain their own DNA. Ribosomes themselves are not organelles in the sense of being membrane-bound structures, and while they are involved in protein synthesis, they don’t contain the genetic code (DNA) for those proteins.
The presence of independent DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts supports the endosymbiotic theory, which posits that these organelles originated from free-living prokaryotic organisms that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells. This DNA allows for some degree of semi-autonomy for these organelles within the cell.

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32. Which one of the following structures is not present in a prokaryoti

Which one of the following structures is not present in a prokaryotic cell ?

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Cell wall
Ribosomes
Nucleus
Plasma membrane
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UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
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The correct answer is C) Nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells (like bacteria and archaea) are characterized by the absence of membrane-bound organelles. The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that houses the genetic material in eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotic cells, the genetic material (usually a single circular chromosome) is located in a region called the nucleoid, but it is not enclosed within a membrane. Cell walls are typically present in most prokaryotes, providing structural support. Ribosomes are present in prokaryotic cells and are essential for protein synthesis (prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller, 70S, compared to eukaryotic 80S). The plasma membrane (cell membrane) is a fundamental component present in all types of cells, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, enclosing the cytoplasm.
Other membrane-bound organelles absent in prokaryotes include mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vacuoles. This structural simplicity is a defining characteristic of prokaryotic life.

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33. Consider the following statements regarding cell wall composition :

Consider the following statements regarding cell wall composition :

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  • Bacterial cell wall is made of peptidoglycan.
  • Fungal cell wall is made of cellulose.
  • Animals lack cell wall and have extracellular matrix made up of sugar and proteins.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

2 only
1 and 2
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3
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The correct answer is C) 1 and 3.
Statement 1 is correct. The cell wall of most bacteria is primarily composed of peptidoglycan, a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids, which provides structural support and protection. Statement 2 is incorrect. Fungal cell walls are mainly composed of chitin, a tough polysaccharide, although other components like glucans are also present. Plant cell walls are made of cellulose. Statement 3 is correct. Animal cells do not possess a rigid cell wall. Instead, animal tissues have an extracellular matrix (ECM) which is a complex network of secreted molecules, including various proteins (like collagen, elastin) and glycoproteins (like proteoglycans, which are composed of protein and carbohydrate chains), providing support, adhesion, and signaling functions.
The presence or absence and composition of the cell wall are key distinguishing features between different kingdoms of life. Bacteria, fungi, and plants all have cell walls, but their composition differs significantly. Animals do not have cell walls, which allows for greater flexibility and mobility of their cells and tissues.

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34. Who among the following is not a recipient of Nobel Prize in Chemist

Who among the following is not a recipient of Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022 ?

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Carolyn R. Bertozzi
Benjamin List
Morten Meldal
K. Barry Sharpless
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The correct answer is B) Benjamin List.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022 was awarded jointly to Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless for their groundbreaking work on click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. Benjamin List was a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in the *previous* year, 2021, along with David W.C. MacMillan, for their development of asymmetric organocatalysis. Therefore, Benjamin List was not a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022.
Click chemistry is a concept introduced by Barry Sharpless, focusing on reactions that are fast, reliable, and result in high yields, enabling the efficient building of molecules. Morten Meldal and Barry Sharpless independently discovered the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), a cornerstone click reaction. Carolyn Bertozzi took click chemistry to a new dimension by developing bioorthogonal reactions, which can occur inside living organisms without interfering with native biochemical processes, allowing for the study of biological molecules.

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35. Consider the following statements : England is the only country that

Consider the following statements :

  • England is the only country that won the ICC T20 World Cup twice.
  • Virat Kohli is the only player to be adjudged as the Player of the Series in the ICC T20 World Cup twice.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is B) 2 only.
Statement 1 is incorrect. While England has won the ICC T20 World Cup twice (in 2010 and 2022), they are not the only country to have done so. The West Indies also won the tournament twice (in 2012 and 2016). Statement 2 is correct. Virat Kohli is the only player in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup to be adjudged as the Player of the Series on two occasions, achieving this recognition in both the 2014 and 2016 editions of the tournament.
The ICC T20 World Cup is the premier international tournament for Twenty20 International cricket, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It has been held periodically since its inception in 2007. Other winners include India (2007), Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014), and Australia (2021).

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36. Consider the following statements about ‘Exercise Sea Vigil-22’ : It

Consider the following statements about ‘Exercise Sea Vigil-22’ :

  • Its aim is to assess India’s preparedness in the domain of Maritime security and coastal defence.
  • Naval forces of USA and Japan also took part in the exercise.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is A) 1 only.
Statement 1 is correct. Exercise Sea Vigil is a biennial pan-India coastal defence exercise involving all coastal states and union territories as well as other maritime stakeholders, including the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Police, Customs, and other central/state agencies. Its primary aim is indeed to assess the preparedness of India’s maritime security and coastal defence apparatus. Statement 2 is incorrect. Exercise Sea Vigil is a *national* exercise involving Indian forces and agencies. It is not a multilateral exercise involving foreign navies like those of the USA and Japan. India conducts separate bilateral or multilateral exercises with these countries (e.g., Malabar with USA, Japan, Australia; JIMEX with Japan).
Exercise Sea Vigil was first conducted in January 2019, followed by Sea Vigil-21 in January 2021, and Sea Vigil-22 in November 2022. It is considered the largest coastal defence exercise in India and is seen as a culmination of various preparatory coastal security exercises conducted by the Navy.

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37. The Battle of Rezang La, an epic battle in hostile conditions, was fou

The Battle of Rezang La, an epic battle in hostile conditions, was fought by the Indian Army in :

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1948
1956
1962
1972
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The correct answer is C) 1962.
The Battle of Rezang La was fought on 18 November 1962, during the Sino-Indian War. A small company of 120 Indian soldiers of the 13 Kumaon regiment, led by Major Shaitan Singh, defended the strategically important Rezang La pass in Ladakh against a much larger attacking force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Despite being heavily outnumbered and fighting in harsh high-altitude conditions, the Indian soldiers fought valiantly, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers before being overrun. The battle is remembered as one of the most courageous last stands in military history.
Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, for his bravery and leadership during the battle. The battle is commemorated annually on Rezang La Day.

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38. Joint Military exercise ‘Keen Sword 23’ was conducted between :

Joint Military exercise ‘Keen Sword 23’ was conducted between :

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India and Japan
India and USA
USA and Japan
Japan and Taiwan
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The correct answer is C) USA and Japan.
Exercise Keen Sword is a biennial joint military exercise conducted between the United States Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The exercise involves ground, sea, and air components from both nations and focuses on enhancing interoperability and strengthening the alliance’s ability to respond to various contingencies. Keen Sword 23 was conducted in November 2022.
The US-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific region. Joint exercises like Keen Sword are part of routine training aimed at maintaining regional stability and deterrence. India conducts various bilateral and multilateral exercises with the USA and Japan, such as Malabar (with US, Japan, Australia) and JIMEX (with Japan), but Keen Sword is specifically a US-Japan exercise.

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39. The process of Podsolization is predominantly found in :

The process of Podsolization is predominantly found in :

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Equatorial forest
Monsoon forest
Taiga forest
Mediterranean forest
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The correct answer is C) Taiga forest.
Podsolization is a soil-forming process that occurs in cool, humid climates, typically under coniferous forests (Taiga) or heathland vegetation. The acidic litter from coniferous trees releases organic acids which, combined with heavy rainfall, lead to the leaching (removal) of base cations, iron, and aluminum from the upper soil horizons (specifically the A and E horizons). These leached materials are then deposited in the illuvial (B) horizon, creating a distinct profile with a greyish-white or ash-coloured E horizon over a reddish-brown or black B horizon. Equatorial forests experience laterization, monsoon forests experience different leaching and deposition patterns, and Mediterranean forests are often subject to calcification or rubefaction due to dry summers and different vegetation.
Soils formed by podsolization are called Podsols. They are generally acidic and low in fertility, posing challenges for agriculture without significant amendments. The term “Podsol” comes from Russian words meaning “under ash,” referring to the characteristic greyish-white E horizon.

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40. Which one of the following is not a cold current ?

Which one of the following is not a cold current ?

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Western Australian Current
Eastern Australian Current
Benguela Current
Peru Current
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The correct answer is B) Eastern Australian Current.
Ocean currents can be classified as warm or cold based on their temperature relative to the surrounding water, which in turn influences the climate of adjacent landmasses. Warm currents typically flow from the equator towards the poles, while cold currents flow from the poles towards the equator. The Western Australian Current, Benguela Current, and Peru Current are all prominent cold currents flowing towards the equator along the western coasts of continents in the Southern Hemisphere (or South America in the case of Peru). The Eastern Australian Current, however, flows southwards along the east coast of Australia and is a warm current originating from tropical waters.
Cold currents bring cold water to warmer regions, often leading to arid conditions on adjacent coasts (e.g., Atacama Desert near Peru Current, Namib Desert near Benguela Current). Warm currents bring warm water to colder regions, generally leading to more humid and mild conditions on adjacent coasts (e.g., the British Isles influenced by the North Atlantic Drift).

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