41. During a laboratory experiment, a student immerses epidermal leaf peel

During a laboratory experiment, a student immerses epidermal leaf peel in a hypertonic solution. After some time, the student examined the cells under a microscope and observed that :

the cells swelled.
the cells were plasmolysed.
the cells built up turgor pressure.
the cells size was unaffected.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
A hypertonic solution is a solution that has a higher solute concentration (and thus a lower water potential) compared to the inside of the plant cell. When a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell’s cytoplasm and vacuole into the surrounding solution by osmosis. This loss of water causes the protoplast (the cell membrane and its contents) to shrink and pull away from the rigid cell wall. This phenomenon is known as plasmolysis.
– A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration outside the cell.
– Water moves out of the cell by osmosis into the hypertonic solution.
– The protoplast shrinks and pulls away from the cell wall.
– This process is called plasmolysis.
In a hypotonic solution (lower solute concentration outside), water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and build up turgor pressure against the cell wall. In an isotonic solution (equal solute concentration), there is no net movement of water, and the cell size remains relatively unaffected, although turgor pressure is zero.

42. When yeast cells are O₂ starved, fermentation serves as the source of

When yeast cells are O₂ starved, fermentation serves as the source of energy. This results in the production of :

ATP + CO₂ + Ethanol
ATP + O₂ + Pyruvate
ATP + CO₂ + Lactic acid
ATP + O₂ + Acetaldehyde
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
When yeast cells are deprived of oxygen, they switch from aerobic respiration to anaerobic fermentation to regenerate NAD⁺ needed for glycolysis. Glycolysis is the initial stage where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP. In alcoholic fermentation, pyruvate is converted into acetaldehyde and then ethanol, with the release of carbon dioxide. The net products from the glucose under oxygen-starved conditions undergoing fermentation by yeast are ATP (produced during glycolysis), CO₂, and Ethanol.
– Yeast undergoes alcoholic fermentation under anaerobic conditions.
– Fermentation allows glycolysis to continue by regenerating NAD⁺.
– Glycolysis produces ATP.
– Pyruvate is converted to acetaldehyde and then ethanol during alcoholic fermentation, releasing CO₂.
Lactic acid fermentation is another type of fermentation that occurs in muscle cells and some bacteria, producing lactic acid instead of ethanol and CO₂. The primary purpose of fermentation is not to directly produce large amounts of ATP but to regenerate the NAD⁺ consumed during glycolysis, allowing ATP production via glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen.

43. Organisms capable of using CO₂ as principal carbon source are called :

Organisms capable of using CO₂ as principal carbon source are called :

Autotrophs
Heterotrophs
Parasites
Decomposers
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Organisms capable of using CO₂ as a principal carbon source are called Autotrophs.
Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. They are the producers in an ecosystem. They use inorganic sources, like CO₂, to synthesize organic compounds. Photosynthesis is the most common form of energy production for autotrophs, using sunlight to convert CO₂ and water into glucose. Chemosynthesis is another process used by some autotrophs, utilizing energy from chemical reactions.
Heterotrophs, on the other hand, obtain energy and carbon by consuming other organisms or organic matter. Parasites are a type of heterotroph that lives on or inside another organism (the host) and benefits at the host’s expense. Decomposers are heterotrophs that break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the environment.

44. Tableaux of which one of the following States was adjudged the best in

Tableaux of which one of the following States was adjudged the best in the Republic Day Parade, 2023 ?

Uttarakhand
Punjab
Gujarat
Uttar Pradesh
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
The tableau of Uttarakhand was adjudged the best in the Republic Day Parade, 2023.
The tableau of Uttarakhand won the first prize among the States and Union Territories at the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2023. The theme of the tableau was ‘Manaskhand’ (based on the Kedarkhand Puran), showcasing various religious sites and natural beauty of the state, including the Char Dham Yatra, Hemkund Sahib, and Jim Corbett National Park.
Tableaux from different states and central ministries participate in the Republic Day Parade, depicting themes related to their culture, history, achievements, and developmental projects. Awards are given based on criteria like visual appeal, theme representation, and overall impact.

45. Which one among the following villages was recently declared as India’

Which one among the following villages was recently declared as India’s first 24 × 7 solar-powered village ?

Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
Modhera, Gujarat
Ziro village, Arunachal Pradesh
Malana, Himachal Pradesh
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Modhera, Gujarat was recently declared as India’s first 24 × 7 solar-powered village.
Modhera village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat achieved the distinction of becoming India’s first village to be powered round-the-clock by solar energy. A ground-mounted solar power plant and a battery energy storage system were commissioned, providing solar power to the village households even after sunset.
Modhera is also known for its Sun Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, built by King Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty in 1026-27 CE. The solar project adds another feather to its cap, linking its historical reverence for the sun with modern renewable energy technology.

46. Which of the following is India’s first privately developed rocket lau

Which of the following is India’s first privately developed rocket launched by ISRO recently ?

Skyroot
Prarambh
Bazoomq
Vikram-S
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
India’s first privately developed rocket launched by ISRO recently is named Vikram-S.
Vikram-S is the sub-orbital rocket developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a private Indian space startup. It was launched on November 18, 2022, as part of the ‘Prarambh’ (The Beginning) mission from ISRO’s launchpad at Sriharikota. This launch marked a significant milestone for India’s private space sector.
Skyroot Aerospace was the first Indian private company to sign a framework MoU with ISRO for access to its facilities and expertise, following space sector reforms enabling private participation. The ‘Vikram’ series of rockets are named as a tribute to the founder of India’s space program, Vikram Sarabhai.

47. The 4th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the India

The 4th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army was held in :

Ranikhet
Gangtok
Pithoragarh
Leh
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
The 4th edition of the joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army was held in Pithoragarh.
The DUSTLIK exercise is an annual joint military training exercise between India and Uzbekistan, focusing on counter-terrorism operations in mountainous and semi-urban terrain. The 4th edition took place in February 2023 at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India.
Joint military exercises like DUSTLIK aim to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and promote military-to-military cooperation between participating nations. The exercise involves troops from infantry battalions of both armies.

48. Which of the following statements about Lachit Borphukan is/are correc

Which of the following statements about Lachit Borphukan is/are correct ?

  • 1. He was a General of the Ahom Force.
  • 2. He is known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat.
  • 3. Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is given to the best cadet at the National Defence Academy.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
1 only
2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
All three statements about Lachit Borphukan are correct.
Lachit Borphukan was a prominent military general of the Ahom Kingdom in the 17th century. He is celebrated for his decisive leadership in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, where the Ahom forces successfully defeated the Mughal army, preventing their advance into Assam. His bravery, strategic acumen, and patriotism are widely revered. In his honour, the National Defence Academy (NDA) confers the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal upon the best cadet each year.
Lachit Borphukan’s leadership in the Battle of Saraighat, which was primarily a naval battle on the Brahmaputra river, is considered a significant event in the history of Assam and Northeast India, highlighting the resilience of the Ahom kingdom against Mughal expansion. He was the Borphukan (one of the five principal ministers) of the Ahom Kingdom appointed by King Chakradhwaj Singha.

49. According to Koppen’s climatic classifications, the Great Northern Pla

According to Koppen’s climatic classifications, the Great Northern Plains of India have which one of the following climates ?

Aw climate
Cwg climate
Amw climate
Dfc climate
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
According to Koppen’s climatic classification, the Great Northern Plains of India have a Cwg climate.
Koppen’s classification system uses temperature and precipitation to define climate zones. Cwg represents a humid subtropical climate. ‘C’ denotes warm temperate climates, ‘w’ indicates dry winters, and ‘g’ specifically refers to the Gangetic Plain, signifying a climate characterized by hot, dry summers before the monsoon arrives, followed by a rainy season, and then cool, dry winters. This accurately describes the climate of the vast Northern Plains of India.
Other climate types found in India according to Koppen’s classification include Aw (Tropical Savanna, found in parts of peninsular India), Amw (Tropical Monsoon, found along the west coast), BShw (Semi-arid Steppe, found in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana), BWhw (Hot Desert, found in Western Rajasthan), As (Tropical Wet, dry summer, found in the Coromandel coast), Dfc (Cold, wet winter, short cool summer, found in very high altitudes).

50. Mica is mainly used in :

Mica is mainly used in :

food and beverage industry.
iron and steel industry.
aluminium industry.
electrical and electronic industries.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Mica is mainly used in electrical and electronic industries.
Mica has excellent dielectric strength, is chemically inert, and has good insulating properties, making it an ideal material for various applications in the electrical and electronic industries. It is used in capacitors, insulators, heating elements, and other electrical components.
India is one of the major producers and exporters of mica, although production has seen decline in recent years. Historically, the mica belt in Jharkhand and Bihar was very prominent. Other uses of mica include in paints, rubber, plastics, and cosmetics, but its primary industrial application remains in electrical and electronics.