Biology Archives

101. What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’, a breed found in India? 1.

What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’, a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2016

Statements 1 and 2 are unique characteristics of the Kharai camel breed found in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India. They are known for their ability to swim across seawater creeks and for feeding on mangrove vegetation. Statement 3 is incorrect because Kharai camels are domesticated animals, primarily reared by the Maldhari pastoral community, who use them for transport and milk.

The Kharai camel is a distinct camel breed adapted to the harsh coastal and arid environment of Kutch, known for its swimming ability and diet based on mangroves.

The Kharai camel is one of the officially recognized Indian camel breeds. Their unique ability to swim allows them to reach islands and coastal areas where mangroves grow, providing them with food. This adaptation makes them distinct from other camel breeds. They are a vital part of the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the local communities.

102. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transc

In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to

[amp_mcq option1=”a range of enzymes used in genome editing” option2=”the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism” option3=”the description of the mechanism of gene expression” option4=”a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2016

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In Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’ refers to the complete set of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules expressed by an organism or in a specific cell population at a given time.

– The genome is the complete set of DNA in an organism. Genes within the genome are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules during the process of gene expression.
– The transcriptome represents all the mRNA transcripts present in a cell or tissue. Studying the transcriptome allows researchers to understand which genes are actively being expressed under specific conditions.

– Option A describes enzymes involved in techniques like CRISPR, which manipulate the genome.
– Option C describes the *process* of gene expression (transcription, translation), not the resulting set of mRNA molecules.
– Option D describes changes in the DNA sequence itself, which can affect the resulting transcriptome but is not what the term ‘transcriptome’ refers to.
– Transcriptomics is the study of the transcriptome and is a key area of research in molecular biology and bioinformatics, providing insights into cellular function, development, and disease.

103. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which

H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

[amp_mcq option1=”AIDS” option2=”Bird flu” option3=”Dengue” option4=”Swine flu” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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The H1N1 virus is the primary cause of swine flu.

H1N1 is an influenza A virus subtype that is the most common cause of human influenza (flu).

The 2009 swine flu pandemic was caused by a new strain of H1N1 that resulted from a mix of human, swine, and bird flu viruses. While H1N1 strains circulate in various animals, this particular strain was referred to as “swine flu” because genetic analysis showed it originated from pigs. Bird flu is typically caused by other influenza subtypes like H5N1. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Dengue is caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted by mosquitoes.

104. Consider the following pairs : Vitamin : Deficiency disease 1. Vitamin

Consider the following pairs :
Vitamin : Deficiency disease
1. Vitamin C : Scurvy
2. Vitamin D : Rickets
3. Vitamin E : Night blindness
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”None” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, describing the deficiency diseases associated with Vitamin C and Vitamin D, respectively. Pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Pair 1: Vitamin C deficiency causes Scurvy, a disease characterized by weakness, anemia, bruising, bleeding gums, and loose teeth. This pair is correctly matched.
Pair 2: Vitamin D deficiency causes Rickets in children, a condition characterized by soft and weak bones, leading to skeletal deformities. In adults, it causes Osteomalacia. This pair is correctly matched.
Pair 3: Vitamin E deficiency is rare and can lead to nerve and muscle damage, loss of body movement control, muscle weakness, and vision problems. Night blindness (Nyctalopia) is caused by Vitamin A deficiency, which affects the ability to see in low light conditions. This pair is incorrectly matched.

Vitamins are essential micronutrients required by the body for various metabolic processes. Deficiency of different vitamins leads to specific deficiency diseases. Vitamin A is crucial for vision, immune function, and cell growth. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage.

105. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?

[amp_mcq option1=”Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings” option2=”Crustaceans-Diatoms-Herrings” option3=”Diatoms-Herrings-Crustaceans” option4=”Crustaceans-Herrings-Diatoms” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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In a typical aquatic food chain involving these organisms, diatoms are producers (phytoplankton), which form the base of the food chain by converting sunlight into energy. Crustaceans (like zooplankton) are primary consumers that feed on diatoms. Herrings are fish that feed on crustaceans, acting as secondary consumers. Therefore, the correct sequence is Diatoms -> Crustaceans -> Herrings.

– Food chains illustrate the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
– The sequence starts with producers, followed by consumers at different trophic levels.
– Diatoms (phytoplankton) are producers.
– Crustaceans (zooplankton) are primary consumers.
– Herrings (fish) are secondary consumers.

Other organisms might be involved in this food web, and herrings can also consume small fish, placing them at a higher trophic level in different food chains. However, the sequence provided in option A represents a valid and common food chain pathway.

106. Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class

Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?

[amp_mcq option1=”Crab” option2=”Mite” option3=”Scorpion” option4=”Spider” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is A) Crab. We need to classify the given organisms to find the one that belongs to a different class from the others.

– All four organisms (Crab, Mite, Scorpion, Spider) belong to the phylum Arthropoda.
– Within Arthropoda, they are further classified into classes.
– Crab belongs to the class Malacostraca, which is part of the subphylum Crustacea.
– Mite, Scorpion, and Spider all belong to the class Arachnida.

Arachnids are characterized by having eight legs (four pairs), no antennae, and body divided into two segments (cephalothorax and abdomen). Crustaceans, like crabs, typically have ten legs (five pairs, including claws), two pairs of antennae, and usually a body divided into cephalothorax and abdomen, often covered by a carapace.

107. Consider the following statements: 1. Maize can be used for the prod

Consider the following statements:

1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. Maize (corn) is a versatile crop with numerous uses in food, animal feed, and various industrial applications.

1. Maize can be used for the production of starch: Corn starch is a major product derived from maize and is used in food processing, paper manufacturing, textiles, and adhesives.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel: Corn oil is extracted from the germ of the maize kernel and is used as cooking oil and in various industrial applications, including as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production.
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize: Maize is fermented to produce ethanol, which is used in alcoholic beverages (like Bourbon whiskey) and as a biofuel.

Maize is one of the world’s most widely cultivated cereal crops. Its primary use globally is as animal feed, followed by human food (direct consumption or processed products like flour, starch, oil, syrup), and industrial uses (biofuel, plastics, etc.).

108. Consider the following techniques/ phenomena: 1. Budding and graftin

Consider the following techniques/ phenomena:

1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants
2. Cytoplasmic male sterility
3. Gene silencing

Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3″ option3=”1 and 3″ option4=”None” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is B) 2 and 3. Transgenic crops are created through genetic engineering, which involves introducing or altering genes in a plant.

1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants: These are methods of asexual (vegetative) propagation used to combine traits from different plants or propagate desired varieties. They do not involve introducing foreign genes to create a transgenic organism. This is not used to create transgenic crops.
2. Cytoplasmic male sterility: While CMS itself is a biological phenomenon used in hybrid breeding, genetic engineering techniques *can* be used to introduce or restore male sterility genes (like the barnase/barstar system), thereby creating transgenic plants with engineered CMS. In this context, the concept is linked to the creation of transgenics for breeding purposes.
3. Gene silencing: Techniques like RNA interference (RNAi) are methods of gene silencing where the expression of a specific gene is inhibited. These techniques are widely used in genetic engineering to modify plants, for example, to reduce levels of undesirable compounds, improve nutritional value, or confer resistance. Using gene silencing to modify a plant *creates* a transgenic crop.

Creating transgenic crops involves techniques for gene isolation, vector construction, gene transfer (e.g., Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, gene gun), and selection of transformed cells/plants. Gene silencing is a tool used in the genetic modification process. While CMS is a trait, the methods to engineer it into a plant fall under genetic engineering techniques used for creating transgenics.

109. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants?

1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population.
2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements regarding vegetative propagation are generally considered correct in the context of its benefits and applications.

1. **Clonal population:** Vegetative propagation involves using parts of a single parent plant (like stems, roots, leaves, buds) to grow new plants. The offspring are genetically identical to the parent plant, thus forming a clonal population.
2. **Eliminating virus:** Specific techniques within vegetative propagation, such as meristem culture, are effectively used to produce virus-free plants from infected stock. While not all vegetative methods eliminate viruses, this is a significant application.
3. **Practiced most of the year:** Compared to sexual reproduction from seeds which is often seasonal, many vegetative propagation methods can be carried out across a wider range of the year, especially under controlled environmental conditions like greenhouses.

Vegetative propagation offers advantages such as maintaining desirable traits of the parent plant, faster maturation compared to seed-grown plants, and propagation of plants that do not produce viable seeds. Techniques include cutting, grafting, layering, tissue culture, etc.

110. Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

[amp_mcq option1=”Potential energy is released to form free energy” option2=”Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored” option3=”Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water” option4=”Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy.
A) Potential energy is released to form free energy: This describes processes like respiration (breakdown of glucose to release energy) or combustion, where stored chemical energy (potential) is converted into usable energy (free).
B) Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored: In photosynthesis, light energy from the sun (a form of free energy) is absorbed and converted into chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose molecules (a form of potential energy). This is the fundamental energy conversion process in photosynthesis.
C) Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water: This describes respiration, where organic food molecules are broken down in the presence of oxygen to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
D) Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out: Plants take in carbon dioxide and water for photosynthesis and release oxygen as a byproduct. Taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide and water is the process of respiration (which plants also do).

– Photosynthesis uses light energy (free energy) to synthesize organic compounds (food).
– Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of these organic compounds (potential energy).
– The process converts light energy into chemical energy.

The overall equation for photosynthesis is: $6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{Light Energy} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2$. This shows that carbon dioxide and water, using light energy, are converted into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.