PRELIMS PRACTICE

WORKBOOK
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CONTENTS
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS ................................... 01-15

 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ANSWERS................................................................... 16-31

 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Consider the following statements: In how many of the above actions is the function of
1. Some microorganisms can grow in environments accelerometer required?
with temperature above the boiling point of (a) Only one
water.
(b) Only two
2. Some microorganisms can grow in environments
with temperature below the freezing point of (c) All three
water. (d) None
3. Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic
environments with a pH below 3. 5. ‘Microsatellite DNA’ is used in the case of which
one of the following?
(a) Only one
(a) Studying the evolutionary relationships among
(b) Only two various species of fauna
(c) All three (b) Stimulating ‘stem cells’ to transform into diverse
(d) None functional tissues
(c) Promoting clonal propagation of horticultural
2. Consider the following statements: plants
1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic
(d) Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting
speeds throughout their flights, while cruise
series of drug trials in a population
missiles are rocket-powred only in the initial
phase of flight. 6. ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise the following situations?
missile, while BrahmMos is a solid-fuelled
(a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at
intercontinental ballistic missile.
one go
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian
(a) 1 only species of a habitat
(b) 2 only (c) Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples
(c) Both 1 and 2 from moving animals

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect

plant and animal samples from land surfaces and
3. Which one of the following countries has its own water bodies
Satellite Navigation System?
7. Consider the following activities:
(a) Australia
1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands
(b) Canada extensively
(c) Israel 2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding
lime
(d) Japan
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various
4. Consider the following action: industries and pumping it into abandoned
subterranean mines in the form of carbonated
1. Detection of car crash/collision which
waters
results in the deployment of airbags almost
instantaneously. How many of the above activities are often considered
2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
towards the ground which results in the (a) Only one
immediate turning off the hard drive.
(b) Only two
3. Detection of the tilt of the smart-phone which
results in the rotation of display between portrait (c) All three
and landscape mode. (d) None

1
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

8. With reference to communication technologies, 12. Consider the following statements:

what is/are the difference/differences between A digital signature is
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over
1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying
Long-Term Evolution)?
authority issuing it
1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is
2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an
commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
individual to access information or server on
2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice- Internet
only technology.
3. an electronic method of signing an electronic
Select the correct answer using the code given below: document and ensuring that the original content
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 is unchanged

(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (c) 3 only
9. Consider the following statements :
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological
process to create a seed can be patented in India. 13. In the context of wearable technology, which of the
2. In India, there is no Intellectual Property following tasks is/are accomplished by wearable
Appellate Board. devices?
3. Plant varieties are not eligible to be patented in 1. Location identification of a person
India. 2. Sleep monitoring of a person
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 3. Assisting the hearing impaired person
(a) 1 and 3 only (c) 3 only Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 only (c) 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
10. In the context of digital technologies for
entertainment, consider the following statements: 14. ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained
1. In Augmented Reality (AR), a simulated popularity in the last few years. Why?
environment is created and the physical world is 1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
completely shut out.
2. It can be used in developing therapies for the
2. In Virtual Reality (VR), images generated from a treatment of cancer.
computer are projected into real-life objects or
surroundings. 3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement
therapies.
3. AR allows individuals to be present in the world
4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are
and improves the experience using the camera
resistant to viral pathogens.
of smart-phone or PC.
4. VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, Select the correct answer using the code given below:
providing complete immersion experience. (a) 1, 2 and 4 (c) 1 and 3
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (b) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3
15. Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant
(b) 3 and 4 (d) 4 only ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the
Earth. What is the significance of this observation?
11. With reference to the recent developments in
science, which one of the following statements is (a) ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
not correct? (b) ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by (c) Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through
joining segments of DNA taken from cells of ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
different species.
(d) It enabled the scientists to understand
(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created ‘singularity’.
in laboratories.
16. Which of the following are the reasons for the
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell
occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial
can be made to replicate outside a living cell in
pathogens in India?
a laboratory.
1. Genetic predisposition of some people
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be
made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri 2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure
dishes. diseases

2
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming 21. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news
4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people with reference to which one of the following
diseases?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) AIDS (c) Dengue
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) Bird flu (d) Swine flu
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
22. Consider the following diseases
17. What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in 1. Diphtheria
news? 2. Chickenpox
(a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing 3. Smallpox
(b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated
pathogens in patients in India?
(c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically (b) 3 only (d) None of the above
modified crops
23. Which one of the following is the process involved
in photosynthesis?
18. Which one of the following statements is not
correct? (a) Potential energy is released to form free energy
(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV. (b) Free energy is converted into potential energy
and stored
(b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a
vaccine. (c) Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and
water
(c) Globally, the number of people infected with
(d) Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water
Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more
vapour are given out
than those infected with HIV.
(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C 24. In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of
viruses do not show the symptoms for many the following can be used in the biometric
years. identification of a person?
1. Iris scanning
19. For the measurement/estimation of which of the 2. Retinal scanning
following are satellite images/remote sensing data 3. Voice recognition
used?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific
location (a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only

2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
specific location
25. Which of the following statements is/are correct
3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location regarding vegetative propagation of plants?
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal
population.
(a) 1 only (c) 3 only
2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 virus.
3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of
20. Consider the following statements:
the year.
1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits
dengue. (a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only

2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
possible.
26. Consider the following techniques/phenomena:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 2. Cytoplasmic male sterility
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 3. Gene silencing

3
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic Select the correct answer using the codes given
crops? below:
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only (a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) None (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

27. Consider the following pairs: 32. Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer
storage life because
Vitamin Deficiency disease
1. Vitamin C Scurvy (a) exposure to sunlight is prevented
2. Vitamin D Rickets (b) concentration dioxide in the is increased of
carbon environment
3. Vitamin E Night blindness
(c) rate of respiration is decreased
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly
matched? (d) there is an increase in humidity
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3
33. Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because
(b) 3 only (d) None
(a) the new soil does not contain favorable minerals
28. Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and (b) most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
oilseeds result in the production of toxins known (c) most of the root hairs are lost during
as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by transplantation
normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced
by (d) leaves get damaged during transplantation

(a) Bacteria (c) Moulds 34. With reference to ‘stem cells’, which of the
(b) Protozoa (d) Viruses following statements is/are correct?
1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only.
29. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs.
1. Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the
3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies.
generation of energy.
2. Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic Select the correct answer using the codes given
medium. below:

3. Viruses are transmitted from one organism to (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only
another by biological vectors only. (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below: 35. When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular
fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries
(a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only up and dies because?
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) Water from soil cannot rise to aerial parts.

30. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted (b) Roots are starved of energy.
from one person to another through tattooing? (c) Tree is infected by soil microbes.
1. Chikungunya (d) Roots do not receive oxygen for respiration.
2. Hepatitis B
36. Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is
3. HIV-AIDS
recommended in the diet since they are a good
Select the correct answer using the codes given source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a
below: person maintain health and promote longevity?
(a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only (a) They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin
deficiency.
31. Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic (b) They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates,
Engineering) allows genes to be transferred fats and proteins in the body and help avoid
1. across different species of plants unnecessary wastage of energy.
2. from animals to plants (c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the
body during metabolism.
3. from microorganisms to higher organisms

4
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

(d) They activate certain genes in the cells of the body Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
and help delay the ageing process.
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
37. A company marketing food products advertises (b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does
this campaign signify to the customers? 42. Consider the following statements:
1. The food products are not made out of 1. Every individual in the population is equally
hydrogenated oils. susceptible host for Swine Flu.
2. The food products are not made out of animal
2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment
fats/oils.
of Swine Flu.
3. The oils used are not likely to damage the
cardiovascular health of the consumers. 3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in
the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
culled.
(a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only
38. A married couple adopted a male child. A few years (b) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
later, twin boys were born to them. The blood
group of the couple is AB positive and O negative. 43. With regard to the transmission of the Human
The blood group of the three sons is A positive, B
Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the
positive, and O positive. The blood group of the
following statements is not correct?
adopted son is?
(a) O positive. (a) The chances of transmission from female to male
are twice as likely as from male to female
(b) A positive.
(b) The chances of transmission are more if a person
(c) B positive.
suffers from other sexually transmitted infections
(d) Cannot be determined on the basis of the given
data. (c) An infected mother can transmit the infection to
her baby during pregnancy, at childbirth and by
39. Which of the following processes in the bodies of breast feeding
living organisms is a digestive process?
(d) The risk of contracting infection from transfusion
(a) Breakdown of proteins into amino acid of infected blood is much higher than an exposure
(b) Breakdown of glucose into CO2 and H2O to contaminated needle
(c) Conversion of glucose into glycogen
44. If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is
(d) Conversion of amino acids into proteins white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven,
the potato heats up but the paper plate does not.
40. Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to
This is because
drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts
to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. (a) Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper
Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria is mainly made up of cellulose
vaccine?
(b) Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper
(a) Malaria is caused by several species of
reflects microwaves
Plasmodium
(c) Potato contains water whereas paper does not
(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria
during natural infection contain water

(c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria (d) Potato is a fresh organic material whereas paper
is a dead organic material
(d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the
definitive host
45. Which of the following is/are the example/
41. Consider the following statements: examples of chemical change?
1. Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than 1. Crystallization of sodium chloride
HIV/AIDS 2. Melting of ice
2. Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer 3. Souring of milk

5
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 50. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the
market. It consist of amino acids and provides
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3
calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a
(b) 3 only (d) None low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What
is the basis of this use?
46. Consider the following minerals: (a) Aspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike
1. Calcium table sugar, it is not readily oxidized in human
body due to lack of requisite enzymes.
2. Iron
(b) When aspartame is used in food processing, the
3. Sodium sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to
Which of the minerals given above is/are required by oxidation.
human body for the contraction of muscles? (c) Aspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion
(a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only into the body, it is converted into metabolites that
yield no calories.
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Aspartame is several times sweeter than table
sugar, hence food items made with small
47. What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on
water purification systems? oxidation.
1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms
in water. 51. Chlorination is a process used for water
purifications. The disinfecting action of chlorine is
2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the mainly due to
water.
(a) The formation of hydrochloric acid when chlorine
3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, is added to water
removes turbidity and improves the clarity of (b) The formation of hypochlorous acid when
water. chlorine is added to water
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (c) The formation of nascent oxygen when chlorine
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only is added to water
(d) The formation of hydrogen when chlorine is
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
added to water
48. Consider the following statements about 52. Consider the following phenomena:
Graphene:
1. Light is affected by gravity.
1. It is a two-dimensional material and has good 2. The Universe is constantly expanding.
electrical conductivity.
3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.
2. It is one of the thinnest but strongest materials
Which of the above is/are the predictions of Albert
tested so far. Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed
3. It is entirely made of silicon and has high optical in media?
transparency. (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
4. It can be used as ‘conducting electrodes’ requires (b) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
for touch screens, LCD’s and organic LED’s
Which of the statements given above are correct? 53. Consider the following statements regarding the
friction:
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
1. It depends on the nature of surfaces in contact.
(b) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 2. It is caused by the irregularities on the two
surfaces in contact.
49. The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but
the water at its bottom is still liquid. What is the Which of the above statements is/are correct?
reason? (a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) Ice is a bad conductor of heat. (b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) Since the surface of the lake is at the same 54. Consider the following statement about Gravitation
temperature as the air, no heat is lost. Force
(c) The density of water is maximum at 4°C. 1. It governs the motion of planets of solar system
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given is around the sun
correct. 2. The force decreases with increase in distance

6
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

3. The force is independent of the mass of the (a) Aeolis Dorsa (c) Olympus Mons
objects (b) Tharsis (d) Hellas
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
61. Which Indian astrophysicist and Nobel laureate
(a) 1 only (c) 2 and 3 only predicted rapidly rotating stars emit polarised
(b) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 light?
(a) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
55. Which of the following events can cause
gravitational waves? (b) CV Raman

1. Explosion of star. (c) Ramanujan

2. Two big stars moving at very high speed. (d) Amartya Sen
3. Two black holes orbit each other and merge.
62. Which planet was downgraded to dwarf planet
Select the correct answer using the code given below. status?
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (a) Pluto (c) Earth
(b) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) Mars (d) Venus

56. Consider the following statement about energy 63. Which phenomenon has Venusian winds rotating
60 times faster than the planet below on the dark
1. Theoretically, one form of energy can be
side?
converted to another form without any loss of
energy. (a) Super rotation (c) Dual rotation
2. Energy can be created but cannot be destroyed. (b) Monrotation (d) Macrrotation
Which of the above statements is/are correct? 64. What do you understand by the term Aitken basin:
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (a) It is a desert in the southern Chile which is known
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 to be the only location on earth where no rainfall
takes place
57. Consider the following statements: (b) It is an impact crater on the far side of the Moon
1. The distance covered by an object in a specified (c) It is a Pacific coast basin, which is known to house
direction in unit time interval is called velocity. large amounts of oil and gas
2. Acceleration shows the change in velocity in a (d) It is a deep hyper saline anoxic basin where no
unit time. aquatic animals are found
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
65. Consider the following statements:
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
1. The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed every
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 few hundred thousand years.
2. When the Earth was created more than 4000
58. The rocket’s action is to push down on the ground million years ago, there was 54% oxygen and no
with the force of its powerful engines, and the carbon dioxide.
reaction is that the ground pushes the rocket
3. When living organisms originated, they modified
upwards with an equal force. This is an example of
the early atmosphere of the Earth.
which of the following?
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) Faraday’s law (c) Newton’s Laws
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) Coulomb’s Law (d) None of the above
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
59. What is a coma, in the content of astonomy?
66. “Event Horizon” is related to:
(a) Bright half of material on the comet
(a) Telescope (c) Solar glares
(b) Long tail of dust
(b) Black hole (d) None of the above
(c) Two asteroids orbiting each other
67. Which of the statements about black holes in space
(d) Two planets orbiting each other
is/are correct?
60. Which region of Mars has a densely packed river 1. It is a region in space where the pulling force of
deposit indicating this planet had water 3.5 billion gravity is so strong that light is not able to escape.
years ago? 2. It can result from the dying stars.

7
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 and not for small devices like laptop computers.
3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Alternating Current (AC).
68. Which of the following statements about a Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
photocell is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only
1. A photocell is a technological application of the
photoelectric effect. (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
2. It is a device whose electrical properties are
affected by light. 73. With reference to technologies for solar power
production, consider the following statements:
3. Photocells are used in burglar alarms.
1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates
Which of the statements given above are correct? electricity by direct conversion of light into
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology
(b) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which
is further used in electricity generation process.
69. Consider the following statements regarding 2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current
optical fibres: (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct
1. A layer called the cladding, which has a refractive Current (DC).
index more than that of the core, surrounds the 3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal
core of the optical fibre.
technology, but not for Photovoltaics.
2. Light is propagated in an optical fibre by
refraction and internal reflection. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (c) 1, 2 and 3

(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 only (d) None

(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 74. Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops
of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena
70. Which of the following statements related to
are responsible for this?
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is/are correct?
1. Light is affected by gravity. 1. Dispersion

2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 2. Refraction

3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time. 3. Internal reflection

Select the correct answer using the code given below: Select the correct answer using the codes given below?
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

71. Consider the following statements: 75. Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc.,
1. The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed every because
few hundred thousand years. (a) The actual area of contact between the wheel and
2. When the Earth was created more than 4000 axle is increased
million years ago, there was 54% oxygen and no (b) The effective area of contact between the wheel
carbon dioxide. and axle is increased
3. When living organisms originated, they modified
(c) The effective area of contact between the wheel
the early atmosphere of the Earth.
and axle is reduced
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(d) None of the statements is correct
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 76. Consider the following phenomena:
1. Size of the sun at dusk
72. With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich 2. Colour of the sun at dawn
fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity,
consider the following statements: 3. Moon being visible at dawn

1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell 4. Twinkle of stars in the sky
emits heat and water as by products. 5. Polestar being visible in the sky

8
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

Which of the above are optical illusions? 4. the big trees that we see around would not have
grown on the earth
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 1, 2 and 4
Which of the following statements given above are
(b) 3, 4 and 5 (d) 2, 3 and 5
correct?
77. The known forces of nature can be divided into (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 2 and 4 only
four classes, viz, gravity, electromagnetism, weak
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
nuclear force and strong nuclear force. with
reference to them, which one of the following 81. What is the difference between a CFL and an LED
statements is not correct? lamp?
(a) Gravity is the strongest of the four 1. To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour
(b) Electromagnetism act only on particles with an and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semi-
electric charge conductor material.

(c) Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity 2. The average life span of a CFL is much longer
than that of an LED lamp.
(d) Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons
3. A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an
inside the nuclear of an atom.
LED lamp.
78. A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Laboratory including from India created the (a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only
heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What
is/are the implications of the creation of anti- (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
matter?
82. A new optical disc format known as the blu-ray
1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil disc (BD) is becoming popular. In what way is it
exploration easier and cheaper. different from the traditional DVD?
2. It will help probe the possibility of the existence 1. DVD supports standard definition video while
of stars and galaxies made of anti matter. BD supports high definition video.
3. It will help understand the evolution of the 2. Compared to a DVD, the BD format has several
universe. times more storage capacity.
Select the correct answer using the codes given 3. Thickness of BD is 2.4 mm while that of DVD is
below: 1.2 mm.
(a) Only 1 (c) Only 3 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) Only 1 (c) 2 and 3 only

79. Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists (b) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
as evidence/evidences for the continued expansion
83. Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of
of universe?
sustainable energy. Why?
1. Detection of microwaves in space
1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate
2. Observation of redshirt phenomenon in space electricity from certain substrates.
3. Movement of asteroids in space 2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as
4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space substrates.
code 3. They can be installed in waste water treatment
(a) 1 and 2 only plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.
(b) 2 only Which of the following statements given above is/ are
correct?
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(a) Only 1 (c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above can be cited as evidence.
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
80. Consider the following statements:
84. What is the difference between blue-tooth and Wi-
If there were no phenomenon of capillarity
Fi devices?
1. it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp
(a) Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequency band,
2. one would not be able to use a straw to consume
a soft drink whereas Wi-Fi can use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency
band.
3. the blotting paper would paper would fail to
function (b) Bluetooth is used for wireless local area networks

9
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

(WLAN) only, whereas Wi-Fi is used for wireless Which of the above can operate between 2.4 and 2.5
wide area networks (WWAN) only. GHz range of radio frequency band?
(c) When information is transmitted between two (a) 1 and 2 (c) 1, 2 and 4
devices using blue-tooth technology, the devices (b) 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
have to be in the line of sight of each other, but
when Wi-Fi technology is used the devices need 89. In the context of recent advances in human
not be in the line of sight of each other. reproductive technology, “Pronuclear Transfer’ is
used for
(d) The statements (a) and (b) given above are correct
in this context. (a) Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
(b) Genetic modification of sperm producing cells
85. What is the principle by which a cooling system
(Radiator) in a motor car works? (c) Development of stem cells into functional
embryos
(a) Conduction only
(d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
(b) Convection
90. with the present state of development, Artificial
(c) Radiation only
Intelligence can effectively do which of the
(d) Both conduction and radiation following ?
1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial
86. Indiscriminate disposal of used fluorescent
units
electric lamps causes mercury pollution in
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
the environment. Why is mercury used in the
manufacture of these lamps? 3. Disease diagnosis

(a) A mercury coating on the inside of the lamp 4. Text –to –Speech Conversion
makes the light bright white 5. Wireless transmissions of electrical energy

(b) When the lamp is switched on, the mercury in the Select the correct answer using code given below:
lamp causes the emission of ultra-violet radiations (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(c) When the lamp is switched on, it is the mercury (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
which converts the ultra-violet energy into visible
light 91. With reference to Visible Light Communication
(VLC) technology, which of the following statement
(d) None of the statement given above is correct
are correct?
about the use of mercury in the manufacture of
1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths
fluorescent lamps
375 to 780 nm.
87. Recently, LASIK (Lasser Assisted In Situ 2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless
Keratomileusis) procedure is being made popular communication.
for vision correction. Which one of the following 3. VLC can transmit large amount of data faster
statements in this context is not correct? than Bluetooth.
(a) LASIK procedure is used to correct refractive 4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference.
errors of the eye Select the correct answer using code given below:
(b) It is a procedure that permanently changes the (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
shapes of the cornea (b) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 2, 3, and 4 only
(c) It reduces a person’s dependence on glasses or
contact lenses 92. With reference to “Blockchain Technology”,
consider the following statements:
(d) It is a procedure that can be done on the person
1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect but
of any age
which no single user controls.
88. Consider the following: 2. The structure and design of block chain is such
1. Bluetooth device that all the data in it are about crypto currency
only.
2. Cordless phone
3. Microwave oven 3. Applications that depend on basic features of
blockchain can be developed without anybody’s
4. Wi-Fi device
permission

10
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

Which of the statement given above is/are correct? 1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia
as well as meningitis and sepsis.
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective
(b) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.

93. With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the 3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no
following statement: allergic reactions.

1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and Select the correct answer using the code given below:
antigens in the human body. (a) 1 only (c) 3 only
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries (b) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
for an injured part of human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors. 98. In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is
used in the context of
4. Carbon nanotubes are biochemical.
(a) Digital security infrastructure
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(b) Food security infrastructure
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) Health care and education infrastructure
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) Telecommunication and transportation
94. Consider the following activities: infrastructure

1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 99. Which of the following statements are correct
2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes regarding the general difference between plant
3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales and animal cells?
for DNA analysis 1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal
cells do not.
At the present level of technology, which of the above
activities can be successfully carried out by using 2. Plant cells do not have plasma membranes
drones? unlike animal cells which do.
3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
animal cell has many small vacuoles.
(b) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
95. “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
triangle that has sides one million kilometres
long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The 100. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under
experiment in question refers to “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?
(a) Voyager-2 (c) LISA Pathfinder (a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
(b) New Horizons (d) Evolved LISA (b) Some use imported uranium and others use
domestic suppliers
96. Consider the following statements: (c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells others are operated by domestic enterprises
that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective (d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-
parent. owned
2. A person’s genome can be edited before birth at
the early embryonic stage. 101. In India, under cyber insurance for individuals,
which of the following benefits are generally
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be
covered, in addition to payment for the loss of
injected into the embryo of a pig.
funds and other benefits?
Which of the statement given above is/are correct? 1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case
(a) 1 only (c) 2 only of malware disrupting access to one’s computer

(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant
willfully damages it, if proved so
97. What is the importance of using Pneumococcal 3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to
Conjugate Vaccines in India? minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion

11
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third (a) Low-density polyethylene
party files a suit (b) Polycarbonate
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (c) Polyethylene terephthalate
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) Polyvinyl chloride
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
107. ‘Triclosan’, considered harmful when exposed to
102. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the high levels for a long time, is most likely present in
following statements: which of the following?

1. Solar power can be used for running surface (a) Food preservatives
pumps and not for submersible pumps. (b) Fruit-ripening substances
2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal (c) Reused plastic containers
pumps and not the ones with piston.
(d) Toiletries
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
108. Which one of the following is a reason why
(a) 1only (c) Both 1 and 2
astronomical distances are measured in light-
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 years?
(a) Distances among stellar bodies do not change.
103. Water can dissolve more substances than any
other liquid because: (b) Gravity of stellar bodies does not change.

(a) it is dipolar in nature (c) Light always travels in straight line.

(b) it is a good conductor of heat (d) Speed of light is always same.

(c) it has high value of specific heat 109. With reference to recent developments regarding
(d) it is an oxide of hydrogen ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the
following statements:
104. With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the
lamps differ from LED lamps? development of these vaccines.
1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
is not so in the case of LED lamps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life (a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
span than LED lamps.
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps
is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer 110. In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the
significant colour advantages in street-lighting. following statements:
(a) Select the correct answer using the code given 1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent
below: to child can be prevented by mitochondrial
replacement therapy either before or after in
(b) 3 only (d) 1 and 3 only
vitro fertilization of egg.
(c) 2 only (e) 1, 2 and 3 2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely
from mother and not from father.
105. The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) genes introduced in the genetically modified
plants (a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) development of India’s own satellite navigation
system
111. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are
(c) radio collars for wildlife tracking mentioned in the context of
(d) spread of viral diseases (a) clonal propagation of crop plants
(b) developing genetically modified crop plants
106. Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a
structural/key component in the manufacture of (c) production of plant growth substances
which of the following kinds of plastics? (d) production of biofertilizers

12
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

112. In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the To reduce the chance of being captured by predators
food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and
following? protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?
1. Area of the hole in the lid (a) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only
2. Temperature of the flame (b) 2 only (d) 1 and 3
3. Weight of the lid
118. With reference to furnace oil, consider the
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
following statements:
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only 1. It is a product of oil refineries.
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 2. Some industries use it to generate power
3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into
113. Consider the following:
environment.
1. Bacteria
Which of the statements given above are correct?
2. Fungi
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
3. Virus
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/
synthetic medium?
119. In the nature, which of the following is/are most
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only likely to be found surviving on a surface without
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 soil?
1. Fern
114. Consider the following statements: 2. Lichen
1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA 3. Moss
genomes whereas retroviruses have double-
4. Mushroom
stranded DNA genomes.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
2. Common cold is sometime caused by an
adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a (a) 1 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3
retrovirus. (b) 2 only (d) 1, 3 and 4
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
120. With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
statements:
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control
their own data.
115. Which one of the following is used in preparing a
natural mosquito repellent? 2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based
social networks.
(a) Congress grass (c) Lemongrass
3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather
(b) Elephant grass (d) Nut grass than a corporation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
116. Consider the following kinds of organisms:
1. Copepods (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
2. Cyanobacteria (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Diatoms
121. With reference to “Software as a Service (SaaS)”,
4. Foraminifera consider the following statements:
Which of the above are primary producers in the food 1. SaaS buyers can customise the user interface
chains of oceans? and can change data fields.
(a) 1 and 2 (c) 3 and 4 2. SaaS users can access their data through their
mobile devices.
(b) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4
3. Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of
117. Consider the following animals: SaaS. .
1. Hedgehog Which of the statements given above are correct?
2. Marmot (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
3. Pangolin (b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

13
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

122. Which one of the following statements best Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital (a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only
Bombardment System” often talked about in
media? (b) 2 only (d) 2 and 3 only

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to 127. In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent
counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following
explodes it in space. statements:
(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making 1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19
several orbital motions. vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the 2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector
Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth. based platform.

(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same 3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based
speed and places a probe on its surface.’ vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
123. Which one of the following is the context in which
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
the term “qubit” is mentioned?
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing 128. If a major solar storm (solar-flare) reaches the
Earth, which of the following are the possible
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
effects on the Earth?
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.

124. Consider the following communication 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
technologies: 3. Power grids could be damaged.
1. Closed-circuit Television 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the
2. Radio Frequency Identification Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the
3. Wireless Local Area Network
planet.
Which of the above are considered Short-Range
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
devices/technologies?
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Select the correct answer using the code given below:

125. Consider the following statements: (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within (b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only

human tissues. (c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance. 129. Which one of the following statements best
describes the role of B cells and T cells in the
Which of the statements given above are correct?
human body?
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(a) They protect the body from environmental
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 allergens.
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
126. Consider the following statements in respect of
probiotics: (c) They act as immune suppressants in the body.
1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and (d) They protect the body from the diseases caused
yeast. by pathogens.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods
130. Consider the following statements:
we ingest but they do not “naturally occur in our
gut. 1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles
do not exist in nature.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

14
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:
in the manufacture of some cosmetics. 1. Assess the age of a plant or animal.
3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products 2. Distinguish among species that look alike.
which enter the environment are unsafe for
3. Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in
humans.
processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 2 only correct?
(b) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only (a) 1 only (c) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only
131. Consider the following statements:

*********

15
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ANSWERS

1. Exp. (c) to improve coverage in East Asia and Oceania.

Japan declared the official start of QZSS services
 Microbes isolated from the vents achieve
in 2018 with 4 operational satellites, and plans to
optimal growth at temperatures higher than
expand the constellation to 7 satellites by 2023 for
100 °C. Noteworthy examples are Pyrobolus and
autonomous capability.
Pyrodictium, archaea that grow at 105 °C and
survive autoclaving. Both the thermophiles and 4. Exp. (c)
the hyperthermophiles require specialized heat-
stable enzymes that are resistant to denaturation  All statements are correct
and unfolding. Accelerometer
 Archaebacteria (Thermophiles) are ancient  The accelerometer sensor measures constant
forms of bacteria found in hot water springs and (gravity), time varying (vibrations) and quasi static
deep-sea hydrothermal vents. They are able to (tilt) acceleration forces, which affect the device
survive in high temperatures (which far exceed on the three axes (x, y and z) in meter per second
100°C) because their bodies have adapted to such squared (m/s2).
environmental conditions.
 The accelerometer is a built-in component for
 Microbial growth or metabolic activity has been measuring the acceleration of any mobile device.
reported in permafrost bacteria at −10°C (11) Motions like swinging, tilting, rotating, shaking is
and in the Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial detected using accelerometer. The value of XYZ is
community at temperatures between −5 and −10°C used to calculate and detect the motions.
(7, 28), and the temperature limit of bacterial
growth in frozen food is generally considered 5. Exp. (a)
to be −8°C (9). In arctic and antarctic lichens,  Microsatellites are distributed nonrandomly in
photosynthetic activity has been observed in a the genomic region, most probably due to their
similar temperature range (12) and, more recently, effect on cell cycle, DNA replication, chromatin
at −17°C (23). organization, recombination, and gene activity,
 Microorganisms that grow optimally at pH less etc. (Li et al., 2002). Microsatellites are present in
than 5.55 are called acidophiles. For example, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but infrequent
the sulfur-oxidizing Sulfolobus spp. isolated from in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1).
sulfur mud fields and hot springs in Yellowstone
National Park are extreme acidophiles. These 6. Exp. (a)
archaea survive at pH values of 2.5–3.5. Species of  Genome-centric metagenomics is a field occupied
the archaean genus Ferroplasma live in acid mine with the retrieval of genomes from samples
drainage at pH values of 0–2.9. containing a mixture of microbes, such as soil,
wastewater, or the gastrointestinal system.
2. Exp. (d)
Typically, the overall aim is to study the structure
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Cruise missiles are jet- and function of the microbes, often in the dynamic
propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their context of their natural environments or by their
flights, while ballistic missiles are rocket-powered association with a host (microbiomics).
only in the initialphase of flight.
7. Exp. (c)
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Agni-V is an Inter-
Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of  Statement 1 is correct: Spreading finely ground
over 5,000 km. basalt rock on farmlands extensively: This
activity, known as enhanced weathering, involves
3. Exp. (d)
spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands
 Option (d) is correct: Quasi-Zenith Satellite to accelerate the natural process of carbon dioxide
System (QZSS)is a regional GNSS owned by capture from the atmosphere. The basalt reacts
the Government of Japan and operated by QZS with carbon dioxide to form stable carbonates,
System Service Inc. (QSS). QZSS complements GPS effectively storing carbon.

16
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

 Statement 2 is correct: Increasing the alkalinity inventions, hence not patentable: “plants and
of oceans by adding lime: This approach, known animals in whole or in any part thereof other than
as ocean alkalinity enhancement, involves adding microorganisms; but including seeds, varieties,
lime (calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide) to the and species, and essentially biological processes
oceans to increase their alkalinity. This process for production or propagation of plants and
enhances the capacity of the oceans to absorb animals”.
and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,  The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB)
thereby aiding in carbon sequestration. was constituted on September 15, 2003 by the
 Statement 3 is correct: Capturing carbon dioxide Indian Government to hear and resolve the
released by various industries and pumping it appeals against the decisions of the registrar
into abandoned subterranean mines in the form under the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999 and the
of carbonated waters: This activity refers to Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration
carbon capture and storage (CCS), where carbon and Protection) Act, 1999.
dioxide emissions from industrial processes are  Since April 2, 2007, IPAB has been authorized to
captured and stored underground. Abandoned hear and adjudicate upon the appeals from most
subterranean mines can serve as suitable storage of the decisions, orders or directions made by the
sites, with the captured carbon dioxide pumped Patent Controller under the Patents Act. Therefore
into these locations in the form of carbonated all pending appeals of Indian High Courts under
waters. the Patents Act were transferred to IPAB.
8. Exp. (d)  The headquarter of the IPAB is located in Chennai.
LTE and VoLTE IPAB also has sittings at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata
and Ahmadabad.
 VoLTE stands for voice over LTE. It’s voice calls
over a 4G LTE network, rather than the 2G or 3G 10. Exp. (b)
connections which are usually used.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
 VoLTE is a technology update to the LTE protocol
used by mobile phone networks. Under LTE, the  Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive
infrastructure of telecom players only allows experience of a real-world environment where the
transmission of data while voice calls are routed to objects that reside in the real-world are enhanced
their older 2G or 3G networks. This is why, under by computer-generated perceptual information,
LTE, you cannot access your 4G data services while sometimes across multiple sensory modalities,
on a call. This leads to problems such as slow including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory
internet speeds and poor voice clarity.
and olfactory
 VoLTE allows voice calls to be ‘packaged’ and
carried through LTE networks. This would mean  Virtual reality (VR) is an experience taking place
4G data accessibility even during calls. VoLTE is within simulated and immersive environments
an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) that can be similar to or completely different from
specification which enables a variety of services the real world.
to operate seamlessly on the network rather than
 AR allows individuals to be present in the world
having to switch to different applications for voice
and improves the experience using the camera of
or video
smart-phone or PR.
 In LTE, the network will switch off the data
connection while making voice calls, while you  VR closes the world, and transposes an individual,
don’t need to turn your data connection off while providing complete immersion experience.
making a voice call in VoLTE. While LTE is targeted
for increasing data rates on the 4G bandwidth, 11. Exp. (a)
VoLTE is targeted towards both voice calling and  Functional chromosomes can be created by joining
internet data without affecting each other. segments of DNA taken from cells of different
9. Exp. (c) species.

Indian Patent Act  Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created

in laboratories.
 A patent is an exclusive right granted to an inventor
to prevent others from making, using, producing,  A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell
selling and distributing the patented invention. cannot be made to replicate outside a living cell in
 A patent on seeds would prevent farmers from a laboratory.
saving and exchanging seed.  Cells taken out from plants and animals can be
 In our Patent Law we introduced a clause Article made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri
3j which clearly states that the following are not dishes.

17
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

12. Exp. (c) by China and the United States. In India, antibiotic
FDCs are heavily prescribed even without the
 A digital signature is basically a way to ensure that knowledge of a proven advantage over single
an electronic document (e-mail, spreadsheet, text compounds. Injudicious use of antibiotic FDCs
file, etc.) is authentic. Authentic means that you could lead to emergence of bacterial strains
know who created the document and you know resistant to multiple antibiotics. (However, the
that it has not been altered in any way since that per capita consumption of antibiotics in India is
person created it. much lower than in several other high-income
countries).
 Digital signatures are not to be confused with digital
certificates. A digital certificate, an electronic  Antibiotic consumption in Animals: The use of
document that contains the digital signature of antibiotics in food animals plays a major role in
the issuing certificate authority, binds together human health, as antibiotic-resistant bacteria
a public key with an identity and can be used to can be transmitted between humans and animals
verify that a public key belongs to a particular through contact, in food products, and from the
person or entity. environment.
 Digital signature also not used to serve as proof of 17. Exp. (a)
identity of an individual to access information or
server on internet.  CRISPR-Cas9 is a genome editing tool that is creating
a buzz in the science world. It is faster, cheaper
13. Exp. (d) and more accurate than previous techniques of
 Wearables are electronic technology or devices editing DNA and has a wide range of potential
incorporated into items that can be comfortably applications. CRISPR-Cas9 is a unique technology
worn on a body. These wearable devices are used that enables geneticists and medical researchers
for tracking information on real time basis. They to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or
have motion sensors that take the snapshot of your altering sections of the DNA sequence.
day to day activity and sync them with mobile
devices or laptop computers. After the invention 18. Exp. (b)
of smartphones, wearable electronics are the next  The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective
big innovation in the world of technology. vaccine that is recommended for all infants at
14. Exp. (a) birth and for children up to 18 years. The hepatitis
B vaccine is also recommended for adults living
 RNA interference is a post transcriptional gene with diabetes and those at high risk for infection
silencing mechanism that is triggered by double- due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, or
stranded RNA (dsRNA). RNAi is a mechanism for country of birth. Since everyone is at some risk,
controlling normal gene expression which has all adults should seriously consider getting the
recently began to be employed as a potential hepatitis B vaccine for a lifetime protection against
therapeutic agent for a wide range of disorders,
a preventable chronic liver disease. The hepatitis
including cancer, infectious diseases and metabolic
B vaccine is also known as the first “anti-cancer”
disorders. It is also used as a tool to improve
vaccine because it prevents hepatitis B, the leading
crops by providing resistance against parasites
cause of liver cancer worldwide. Thus option b) is
and modified versions of siRNA that are directed
against disease causing genes are being developed, answer.
some of which are already tested in clinical trials.
19. Exp. (d)
15. Exp. (b)
 For the measurement/estimation of the following
 Billions of light years away, two black holes have are satellite images/remote sensing data is used:
collided to create a larger one – the biggest black
hole merger yet detected. It has a mass more than  Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of
80 times that of the sun. The resulting energy a specific location is estimated by using
injected into the fabric of space-time was also Multispectral Satellite Imagery.
record breaking, with five sun’s worth of mass  Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of
released in the form gravitational waves as the two
a specific location.
holes spiralled in towards each other. Such titanic
amounts of energy meant that the signal was still  Land surface temperatures of a specific
detectable by the time it reached gravitational wave location. Land surface temperature (LST) is
detectors on Earth. It produced a record-breaking of fundamental importance to many aspects
result – the most distant collision detected so far, of the geosciences, for example, net radiation
nine billion light years away. budget at the Earth surface, monitoring
state of crops and vegetation, as well as an
16. Exp. (b)
important indicator of both the greenhouse
 Antibiotic consumption in Humans: In 2014, India effect and the physics of land-surface processes
was the highest consumer of antibiotics, followed at local through global scales. Satellite LST

18
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

measurements provide unique data sources 26. Exp. (b)

for regional and global coverage in fairly good Transgenic crops
temporal, spatial resolution, and time span.
 Transgenic crops are. formed as a result of
Therefore, LST is one of the baseline products in
introduction of transgene into the genome of plant
both Joint Polar-orbiting Satellite System (JPSS)
through recombinant DNA technology. Budding
and Geostationary Operational Environmental
or Grafting Method is an example of vegetative
Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) satellite missions.
propagation in plants. Cytoplasmic Male Sterility is
used in development of hybrids. Gene silencing is
20. Exp. (c) used in r-DNA technology at times to suppress the
Zika Virus expression of unwanted genes in an organism.
 Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily
27. Exp. (a)
through the bite of an infected Aedes species
mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These Vitamins and its deficiency diseases
are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and  The correctly matched pairs are:
chikungunya viruses.
 Vitamin C Scurvy
 A person with Zika can transmit the virus to his or
her partner(s) through vaginal sex, anal sex, and  Vitamin D Rickets
likely oral sex.  Vitamin E Muscle Weakness

21. Exp. (d) 28. Exp. (c)

H1N1:  Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and
 H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in news with oilseeds result in the production of toxins known
reference to Swine flu. as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by
normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced
 The World Health Organization (WHO) declared by moulds.
H1N1 as an epidemic in June 2009. This strain is
usually known as flu by the general public media. 29. Exp. (a)
On August ten, 2010, the globe Health Organization
declared the H1N1 respiratory disorder pandemic  Viruses have no metabolic enzymes and cannot
over, language worldwide contagious disease generate their own energy. Viruses require a
activity had came back to typical seasonal figure. growth medium containing living cell therefore
cannot be cultured in any synthetic medium.
22. Exp. (b) Viruses are transmitted from one organism to
another not only by biological vectors but also
Diseases by mechanical vectors. Mechanical vector like
 Small pox was eradicated in 1979 an arthropod vector which transmit an infective
organism from one host to another but it is not
23. Exp. (b) essential to the life of cycle of the parasite.
Photosynthesis
30. Exp. (b)
 Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and
other organisms to convert light energy into  The diseases that can be transmitted from one
chemical energy that can later be released to fuel person to another person through tattooing are
the organisms’ activities. hepatitis B and HIV AIDS. HIV AIDS is caused by
virus human immunodeficiency virus which is
24. Exp. (d) capable of living in in Fluids of human body like
blood semen etc.
Biometric Identification:
 Both Iris and Retina scanning in Biometric id uses 31. Exp. (d)
near infrared (NIR) light using digital camera.
 Recombinant DNA is that DNA which is Combined
from the different sources by using the genetic
25. Exp. (c)
recombination techniques. This kind of DNA is not
Vegetative Propagation of Plants present in the natural Genome of an animal.
 Vegetative propagation produces clonal  rDNA is formed from at least two strands and it
population. is possible as the organisms have same Chemical
 Vegetative propagation does not helps in structure for the DNA.
eliminating the virus, it will further propagate it.  The microorganisms are used in this technique
 Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of to made rDNA and then transfer it to the higher
the year. Organisms.

19
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

32. Exp. (c) 40. Exp. (b)

 Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer  Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to
storage life because their rate of respiration is drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts
decreased. Over the years as the distance between to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria.
the farmers and urban consumers has grown it But it is difficult to develop an effective malaria
takes longer to get the fruits and vegetables to the vaccine because malaria is caused by several
supermarkets from the farms.
species of Plasmodium.
33. Exp. (c)
41. Exp. (c)
 Many transplanted seedlings do not grow
 Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than
because most of the root hairs are lost during
HIV/AIDS
transplantation.
 Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer
34. Exp. (b)
 Stem cells are special human cells that have the 42. Exp. (b)
ability to develop into many different cell types, Swine Flu
from muscle cells to brain cells. In some cases, they
 Swine influenza is an infection caused by any one
also have the ability to repair damaged tissues.
of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine
 Stem cells can provide a new means of studying influenza virus (SIV) or swine-origin influenza
the pathological basis of disease, screening for virus (S-OIV) is any strain of the influenza family
drug leads, testing candidate drug efficacy and
of viruses that is endemic in pigs. Antibiotics have
safety, and selecting patient populations for
no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu. It
clinical testing.
spread quickly from person to person.
35. Exp. (b)
43. Exp. (a)
 When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular
fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries  The human immunodeficiency viruses are two
up and dies because roots are starved of energy. species of Lentivirus that infect humans. Over
time they cause acquired immunodeficiency
36. Exp. (c) syndrome, a condition in which progressive failure
 Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is of the immune system allows life-threatening
recommended in the diet since they are a good opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive and
source of antioxidants because they neutralize the chances of transmission from female to male
the free radicals produced in the body during are twice as likely as from male to female.
metabolism.
44. Exp. (c)
37. Exp. (c)  If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is
 A company marketing food products advertises white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven,
that its items do not contain trans-fats. It will the potato heats up but the paper plate does not.
advertise that This is because it contains water whereas paper
 The food products are not made out of does not contain water.
hydrogenated oils.
45. Exp. (b)
 The oils used are not likely to damage the
cardiovascular health of the consumers. Chemical Change
 Souring of milk is the example of chemical change.
38. Exp. (a) As the souring (sour) of milk cannot be changed
 A married couple adopted a male child. A few years into the fresh ones again. So it is a chemical
later, twin boys were born to them. The blood change. And chemical change is the change which
group of the couple is AB positive and O negative. cannot come to its original property.
The blood group of the three sons is A positive, B
positive, and O positive. The blood group of the 46. Exp. (d)
adopted son is O positive. Minerals

39. Exp. (a)  For the contraction of muscles, the human body
requires various minerals like- calcium, iron and
 Breakdown of proteins into amino acid is a
digestive process in living organisms. sodium etc.

20
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

47. Exp. (a) other form of matter, is affected by gravity. That

Water Purification System is, light also “falls” in a gravitational field. Just as
a comet’s trajectory is deflected by the sun when
 Ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate harmful pathogens it passes nearby, a ray of starlight grazing the sun
in your home’s water and destroy illness-causing would also be deflected or bent. When we (or
microorganisms by attacking their genetic core our camera look at the star, we presume that the
(DNA). UV water purification is usually used with path taken by the light is straight. The effect of
other forms of filtration such as reverse osmosis the bending of the light, then, is to make the star
systems or carbon block filters. appear to be located in a slightly different position
in the sky.
48. Exp. (c)
Graphene 53. Exp. (c)

 Graphene is an allotrope of carbon in the form Cause of Friction

of a single layer of atoms in a two-dimensional  Friction is caused by the irregularities on the two
hexagonal lattice in which one atom forms each surfaces in contact. Even those surfaces which
vertex. It is the basic structural element of other appear very smooth have a large number of
allotropes, including graphite, charcoal, carbon minute irregularities on them. Irregularities on
nanotubes and fullerenes. the two surfaces lock intone another.

 Graphene is a zero-gap semiconductor and cannot  When we attempt to move any surface, we have
be used as conducting electrodes. to apply a force to overcome interlocking. On
rough surfaces, there are a larger number of
49. Exp. (a) irregularities. So the force of friction is greater if a
rough surface is involved.
 The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but
the water at its bottom is still liquid because ice is 54. Exp. (b)
a bad conductor of heat.
Gravitation Force
50. Exp. (d)  Gravitational force is directly proportional to the
Artificial Sweetener mass of the objects. Therefore, it is dependent on
the masses of the object involved.
 Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the
market. It consist of amino acids and provides  Gravitational force is a universal force and
calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used governs the motion of all the heavenly objects in
as a low-calorie sweetening agent in food items the universe.
because it is several times sweeter than table sugar,  Gravitational force is inversely proportional to
hence food items made with small quantities of square of distance. Therefore, it decreases with
aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation. distance between the objects.
 Gravitational force is directly proportional to the
51. Exp. (b)
mass of the objects. Therefore, it is dependent on
Chlorination the masses of the object involved.
 Chlorination is a process used for water
purifications. The disinfecting action of chlorine is 55. Exp. (d)
mainly due to the formation of hypochlorous acid  Gravitational waves are produced when masses
when chlorine is added to water. accelerate changing distortion of space. So,
 Chlorine is available as compressed elemental everything with mass can make gravitational
gas, sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl) or waves. A supernova star or black hole has mass.
solid calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl). While the Gravitational waves are small ripples in space-
chemicals could be harmful in high doses, when time that are believed to travel across the universe
they are added to water, they all mix in and spread at the speed of light.
out, resulting in low levels that kill germs but are  The most powerful gravitational waves are created
still safe to drink. when objects move at very high speeds. Some
examples of events that could cause a gravitational
52. Exp. (d) wave are:
 Einstein’s general theory of relativity is based on  when a star explodes asymmetrically (called a
how we think gravity governs the behaviour of supernova)
the Universe. We know that matter in the Universe
warps the surrounding fabric of space-time, and  when two big stars orbit each other
this warping effect is what we refer to as gravity.  when two black holes orbit each other and
 According to Einstein’s theory, light, just like any merge

21
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

56. Exp. (a) 62. Exp. (a)

 According to the law of conservation of energy,  Pluto was downgraded in status ta ‘dwarf planet’
energy can only be converted from one form to because astronomers discovered many other small
another; it can neither be created or destroyed. The objects so-called Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt objects at
total energy before and after the transformation similar distances from the Sun.
remains the same. The law of conservation of
energy is valid in all situations and for all kinds of 63. Exp. (a)
transformations.  Scientists have characterised wind and cloud
patterns of the night side of planet Venus for the
57. Exp. first time, and found that it behaves very differently
from the part facing the Sun.
Velocity and Acceleration
Velocity  The night side exhibits unexpected and previously-
unseen cloud types, morphologies, and dynamics -
 The distance covered by an object in a specified some of which appear to be connected to features
direction in unit time interval is called velocity.
on the planet’s surface.
Acceleration
 This is the first time humans have been able to
 When an object’s velocity changes, it accelerates. characterise how the atmosphere circulates on the
 Acceleration shows the change in velocity in a unit night side of Venus on a global scale.
time.  Scientists found that the cloud patterns there are
different to those on the dayside, and influenced
58. Exp. (c)
by Venus’ topography on the dark side.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion:
 Venus’ atmosphere is dominated by strong winds
 For every action, there is an equal and opposite that whirl around the planet far faster than Venus
reaction. The statement means that in every itself rotates.
interaction, there is a pair of forces acting on the
two interacting objects.  This phenomenon, known as ‘super-rotation’, sees
Venusian winds rotating up to times faster than the
 The size of the forces on the first object equals the
planet below, pushing and dragging along clouds
size of the force on the second object. The direction
of the force on the first object is opposite to the within the atmosphere as they go.
direction of the force on the second object. Forces
64. Exp. (b)
always come in pairs - equal and opposite action-
reaction force pairs.  The South Pole–Aitken basin is an impact crater on
 The rocket’s action is to push down on the ground the far side of the Moon. It is roughly measured
with the force of its powerful engines, and the 2,500 km (1,600 mi) in diameter and 13 km (8.1 mi)
reaction is that the ground pushes the rocket deep. It is one of the largest known impact craters
upwards with an equal force. in the Solar System. It is the largest, oldest, and
deepest basin recognized on the Moon.
59. Exp. (a)
65. Exp. (c)
 An unusual object, discovered in the solar system’s
asteroid belt, is actually two asteroids orbiting  The Earth’s Magnetic field has reversed every few
each other, scientists including one of Indian origin hundred thousand years. This has been proved
have found using the Hubble Space Telescope. through Sea-Floor spreading.
 The object has comet-like features including a  When Earth was created there was oxygen in the
bright half of material, called a coma, and a long atmosphere. Oxygen makes up about one-fifth the
tail of dust. volume of Earth’s atmosphere today and is a central
element of life as we know it. But that wasn’t
60. Exp. (a)
always the case. Oxygen, although always present
 On Mars, Aeolis Dorsa is the region which is in compounds in Earth’s interior, atmosphere,
densely packed river deposit indicating this planet and oceans, did not begin to accumulate in the
had water 3.5 billion years ago. atmosphere as oxygen gas (O2) until well into the
planets history.
61. Exp. (a)
 Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane
 Over 70 years after Indian astrophysicist and Nobel
played an important role in Earth’s subsequent
laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar predicted
that rapidly rotating stars would emit polarised development.
light, scientists in Australia have observed the  By 2.7 billion years ago, a new kind of life had
phenomenon for the first time. established itself: photosynthetic microbes called

22
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

cyanobacteria, which were capable of using the 69. Exp. (b)

Sun’s energy to convert carbon dioxide and water Optical Fibres
into food with oxygen gas as a waste product.
 The core of the optical fibre is surrounded by a
They lived in shallow seas, protected from full
layer called the ‘cladding’, which has a refractive
exposure to the Sun’s harmful radiation.
index less than that of the core is one of the
 These organisms became sabundant that by 2.4 conditions for total internal reflection of light.
billion years ago the free oxygen they produced
began to accumulate in the atmosphere. 70. Exp. (d)
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
66. Exp. (b)
 According to Einstein’s theory, light, just like any
Event Horizon other form of matter, is affected by gravity.
 The event horizon is the threshold around the  The theory does not have any mention related to
black hole where the escape velocity surpasses the universe.
speed of light.
 Matter warps its surrounding space-time.
 In other words, it is the circumference of the black
hole beyond which light can travel. 71. Exp. (c)
 Within the event horizon of a black hole, even Magnetic Field of Earth
light cannot escape due to large gravitational pull.  The Earth’s Magnetic field has reversed every few
 The name arises since it is impossible to observe hundred thousand years. This has been proved
any event taking place inside it-it is a horizon through SeaFloor spreading.
beyond which we cannot see.  These organisms became so abundant that by 2.4
billion years ago the free oxygen they produced
67. Exp. (b) began to accumulate in the atmosphere.
 A black hole is a region in space where the pulling  When Earth was created there was no oxygen in
force of gravity is so strong that light is not able the atmosphere.
to escape. The strong gravity occurs because
matter has been pressed into a tiny space. This 72. Exp. (a)
compression can take place at the end of a star’s  A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts
life. Some black holes are a result of dying stars. the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and
 Scientific evidence suggests that every large galaxy an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity
contains a supermassive black hole at its center. through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells
The supermassive black hole at the center of the are different from most batteries in requiring a
Milky Way galaxy is called Sagittarius A. It has a continuous source of fuel and oxygen (usually
mass equal to about 4 million suns and would fit from air) to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas
inside a ball with a diameter about the size of the in a battery the chemical energy usually comes
sun. Also, the Milky Way galaxy contains some 100 from metals and their ions or oxides that are
billion stars. Roughly one out of every thousand commonly already present in the battery, except
stars that form is massive enough to become a in flow batteries. Fuel cells can produce electricity
black hole. Therefore, our galaxy may harbor continuously for as long as fuel and oxygen are
supplied.
some 100 million black holes.
73. Exp. (a)
68. Exp. (b)
Technologies for solar power production
Photocell
 There are three primary technologies by which
 A photocell is a device whose electrical properties
solar energy is harnessed: photovoltaics (PV),
(and not chemical properties) are affected by
light. A photocell converts a change in intensity which directly convert light to electricity;
of illumination into a change in photo current. It concentrating solar power (CSP), which uses heat
is a technological application of the photoelectric from the sun (thermal energy) to drive utility-scale,
effect. electric turbines; and solar heating and cooling
(SHC) systems, which collect thermal energy to
 The photocells, inserted in the door light electric
provide hot water and air heating or conditioning.
circuit, are used as automatic door opener. A
person approaching a doorway may interrupt a  Photovoltaic (PV) devices generate electricity
light beam which is incident on a photocell. The directly from sunlight via an electronic process that
abrupt change in photo current may be used to occurs naturally in certain types of material, called
start a motor that opens the door or rings an alarm semiconductors. Electrons in these materials are
(burglar alarm). freed by solar energy and can be induced to travel

23
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

through an electrical circuit, powering electrical and hence get us to know that the expansion of the
devices or sending electricity to the grid. universe is increasing or accelerating.

74. Exp. (d) 80. Exp. (b)

Rainbow Phenomenon of Capillarity
 When sunlight falls on drop of rain, it undergoes  If there were no phenomenon of capillarity
refraction and internal reflection and splits into
 it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp
different colours (dispersion).
 the blotting paper would paper would fail to
75. Exp. (c) function
 Ball bearings are spherical in shape. When these  the big trees that we see around would not
move they are not dragged, they roll in any have grown on the earth
direction. With a little effort (force and energy)
these can be moved. The friction force that causes 81. Exp. (c)
these to move is ROLLING friction and is minimum
 Differences between a CFL and LED light:
as compared to static friction and dynamic
friction.  To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour
 So ball bearings allow any direction of movement, and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semi-
and the friction associated is least and the effort conductor material.
required to move them is also very less. The Loss  A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an
of energy in moving the ball bearings is also the
LED lamp.
least.

76. Exp. (c) 82. Exp. (b)

 The Optical illusions are:  Blu-ray disc (BD) is different from the traditional
DVD as DVD supports standard definition video
 Size of the sun at dusk while BD supports high definition video.
 Colour of the sun at dawn  Compared to a DVD, the BD format has several
 Twinkle of stars in the sky times more storage capacity.

77. Exp. (a) 83. Exp. (c)

 The Four Fundamental Forces of Nature are  Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of
Gravitational force, Weak Nuclear force, sustainable energy because:
Electromagnetic force and Strong Nuclear force.
 They use living organisms as catalysts to
The weak and strong forces are effective only over
a very short range and dominate only at the level of generate electricity from certain substrates.
subatomic particles. Gravity and Electromagnetic  They use a variety of inorganic materials as
force have infinite range. substrates.
78. Exp. (b)  They can be installed in waste water treatment
 The implications of the creation of anti-matter plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.
are:
 It will help probe the possibility of the existence of 84. Exp. (a)
stars and galaxies made of anti-matter.  The major difference between blue-tooth and Wi-
 It will help understand the evolution of the Fi devices is that Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio
universe. frequency band, whereas Wi-Fi can use 2.4 GHz or
5 GHz frequency band.
79. Exp. (a)
 The scientists all over the world has cited the major 85. Exp. (b)
reasons for the expansion of universe are:  The Principle of Convection in a motor car for
 Detection of microwaves in space cooling the engine e.g: radiator.
 Observation of redshirt phenomenon in space
86. Exp. (b)
 The supernova explosions help to determine
distance of the galaxy. This distance is used to  Mercury is using in the manufacturing of
compare expansion distance and hence bring to fluorescent electric lamps because when the lamp
light the history of expansion in the universe. This is switched on, the mercury in the lamp causes the
showed that the universe expansion is increasing emission of ultra-violet radiations.

24
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

87. Exp. (d) 94. Exp. (d)

 LASIK (Lasser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)  All Statements are correct: It is used in spraying
procedure can be done on the person of any age. pasticides and inspecting volcanoes also. The
 LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is SnotBot is in fact a drone adapted for sampling
the most commonly performed laser eye surgery whale breath that films while capturing the
to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia precious mucus in four Petri dishes or on sponges.
(farsightedness) and astigmatism.
To date, analyses have been used to identify
88. Exp. (d) DNA, ketones, hormones (notably to determine
whether the animal is pregnant) and microbiomes
 The Wireless devices are operating on 2.4 and 2.5
contained in the whale exhalations.
GHz range of radio frequency band like- Bluetooth
device, Cordless phone, Microwave oven, Wi-Fi
95. Exp. (c)
device.
 (c) Option is correct: The interferometer was a
89. Exp. (d) model of one arm of the final LISA interferometer,
 Option d Statements is correct: Mitochondrial DNA but reduced from millions of kilometers long to
(mtDNA) mutations are a common cause of genetic 40 cm. The reduction did not change the accuracy
disease with pathogenic mtDNA mutations being of the relative position measurement, nor did it
detected in approximately 1 in 250 live births. affect the various technical disturbances produced
MtDNA is transmitted maternally and it has been by the spacecraft surrounding the experiment,
proposed that Pronuclear transfer techniques may whose measurement was the main goal of LISA
be an approach to prevent the transmission of Pathfinder. The sensitivity to gravitational waves,
human mtDNA disease. however, is proportional to the arm length, and
this is reduced several billion-fold compared to the
90. Exp. (d) planned LISA experiment.
 All options are correct: Artificial Intelligence can
be used to bring down the electricity consumption 96. Exp. (d)
in industrial units, create meaningful short stories  All Statements are correct: All the above given
and songs, Disease diagnosis, Text to Speech statements are correct
Conversion and Wireless transmission of electrical
energy.. 97. Exp. (b)

91. Exp. (c)  3rd Statement is incorrect: Pneumococcal

conjugate vaccines have reduced the burden of
 3rd Statement is incorrect: Optical wireless
antibiotic-resistant bacterial disease globally.
communications (OWC) is a form of optical
People who have a mild illness, such as a cold, can
communication in which unguided visible,
infrared (IR), or ultraviolet (UV) light is used to probably get the vaccine. People who have a more
carry a signal. OWC systems operating in the serious illness should probably wait until they
visible band (390–750 nm) are commonly referred recover
to as visible light communication (VLC).
98. Exp. (a)
92. Exp. (d)  A public key infrastructure (PKI) is a set of roles,
2nd Statement is incorrect: policies, hardware, software and procedures
needed to create, manage, distribute, use, store and
 Blockchain is a shared, trusted, public ledger of
revoke digital certificates and manage public-key
transactions, that everyone can inspect but which
encryption. The Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) in
no single user controls. Not all cryptocurrencies
operate on a blockchain, and not all blockchains the country is realized through the establishment
utilize cryptocurrencies as part of their design. of licensed CAs. The Public Key Infrastructure of
Bitcoin relies on a public blockchain, a system of India comprises the CCA and the CAs, with CCA
recording transactions that allows anyone to read being at the root of the trust chain in India. CCA
or write transactions. Anyone can aggregate and certifies the CA Public Keys and issue certificate.
publish those transactions.
99. Exp. (c)
93. Exp. (d)  2nd Statement is incorrect: A plant cell wall
 All Statements are correct: Single-walled carbon is arranged in layers and contains cellulose
nanotubes covalently functionalized with microfibrils, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin, and
polytyrosine: a new material for the development soluble protein. Animal cells are devoid of cell
of NADH-based biosensors. . wall and do not contain cellulose. In bacterial and

25
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

plant cells, a cell wall is attached to the plasma mechanisms include diaphragm, vane and
membrane on its outside surface. Animal vacuoles piston pumps. These differ from a conventional
are smaller than their plant counterparts but also centrifugal pump that needs to spin fast to work
usually greater in number. efficiently. Centrifugal pumps are used where
higher volumes are required. So statement 2 is not
100. Exp. (b) correct.
 2nd Statement is correct: India will decide on the  A surface pump is one that is mounted at ground
number of new reactors to be placed under IAEA level. Surface pumps work well when they draw
safeguards only after assessing if these will be water through suction less than 10 or 20 feet. A
fuelled by uranium procured from abroad. There submersible pump is one that is lowered into the
are at present 22 operational reactors, of which 14 water. Most deep wells use submersible pumps.
are under the International Atomic Energy Agency And both are compatible with the photovoltaic
(IAEA) safeguards as these use imported fuel. array (For Solar power). So statement 1 is not
correct. Therefore, the correct answer is (d).
101. Exp. (b) 103. Exp: (a)
 Cyber insurance for individuals policies are Water, the “universal solvent”
designed to cover expenses related to post
factor actions of a cyber-attack. Such as, the cost  Water is called the “universal solvent” because
incurred during the prosecution process and it is capable of dissolving more substances than
any other liquid. This is important to every living
defense costs are paid by the insurance company
thing on earth. It means that wherever water goes,
relating to the types of cyber risks mentioned in
either through the air, the ground, or through our
the documentation of the policy. Other costs such
bodies, it takes along valuable chemicals, minerals,
as financial losses, online loss of money suffered
and nutrients.
by the policyholder due to cyber-attacks are also
covered in the policy up to the sum assured as  It is water’s chemical composition and physical
mentioned in the policy. Expenses incurred for attributes that make it such an excellent solvent.
counseling treatments post a cyber-attack is also Water molecules have a polar arrangement of
oxygen and hydrogen atoms—one side (hydrogen)
paid for including damages against third party
has a positive electrical charge and the other side
liabilities and restoration costs. It also takes care
(oxygen) had a negative charge. This allows the
of consultant fees, court expenses, and legal fees
water molecule to become attracted to many other
concerning the cyber-attack. So (1), (3), and (4) are
different types of molecules. Water can become so
covered.
heavily attracted to a different compound, like salt
What is not covered? (NaCl) that it can disrupt the attractive forces that
 If the attack was intentionally and deliberately hold the sodium and chloride in the salt compound
done, the policy will not pay any claim. Insurers do together and, thus, dissolve it.
not cover any fraudulent, dishonest or malicious 104. Exp: (c)
act. These policies do not provide any cover for any
prior actions of the attack that the policyholder Sodium lamps
has faced before buying the policy; nor do they  Like Metal Halides, High Pressure Sodium lights
cover for personal data or lost pictures in the are omnidirectional, which wastes light and
policy. The insurers also take measures to avoid makes them less efficient. They lose roughly
any cyber-attack to their customers by prompting 15% of their heat emissions which adds to their
for backing up their data, updating anti-virus and inefficiency. LED Chips are mounted on a circuit
having a proper set of passwords. If such measures board, so depending on the configuration, usually
are not taken properly, in case of a cyber-attack, 180 degrees. This is typically an advantage because
your claim can be jeopardized. light is usually desired over a target area (rather
than all 360 degrees around the bulb).
 Therefore, the correct answer is (b).
 Lifespan of LED is more than Sodium lamps.
102. Exp. (d) HPS Sodium Lights have good lifespans – around
14,000 hours – though this is significantly less
 Solar water pumps are specially designed to utilize
than LEDs. LEDs last longer than any light source
DC electric power from photovoltaic modules. The
commercially available on the market. LEDs are
pumps must work during low light conditions,
typically 40,000 - 60,000 Hours.
when power is reduced, without stalling or
overheating. Low volume pumps use positive  HPS lights have a very narrow color spectrum,
displacement (volumetric) mechanisms which seal limited to warm deep yellow light. Although they
water in cavities and force it upward. Lift capacity are very popular for street lights, they don’t serve
is maintained even while pumping slowly. These many other applications. They are well known

26
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

for warm yellow glow, around 2200K. LEDs are  The astronomical distances so large, the speed
available in a wide range of colour temperatures, of light is considered as constant throughout the
generally from 2700K-6000K (ranging from ‘warm universe and is known to high precision.
white’ to ‘daylight’).  A light-year is how astronomers measure distance
in space. It’s defined by how far a beam of light
105. Exp: (d)
travels in one year – a distance of six trillion
ACE2 miles.
 ACE 2 Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 is an 109. Exp: (c)
enzyme attached to the membrane of cells in the
Recombinant Vector Vaccines
intestines, kidney, testis, gallbladder, and heart.
 Genetic engineering is broad term that refers to
 The angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) has the process that is used to manipulate the genetic
been identified as the receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 structure of an organism.
viral entry.
 Recombinant technology is one of the methods of
106. Exp: (b) Genetic Engineering.

Bisphenol A  Though Recombinant Vector Vaccines are primarily

developed using virus, they can also be developed
 Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large using bacteria.
quantities for use primarily in the production of
polycarbonate plastics. 110. Exp: (c)

 It is found in various products including Hereditary diseases

shatterproof windows, eyewear, water bottles,  Pronuclear transfer technique is administered
and epoxy resins that coat some metal food cans, after fertilization, in which two zygotes are raised
bottle tops, and water supply pipes. in vitro.
 Maternal spindle transfer (MST) technique is
107. Exp: (d)
executed before fertilization.
Triclosan  Mitochondria come only from mother.
 Triclosan is a chemical with antibacterial
111. Exp: (b)
properties.
Bollgard I and Bollgard II
 For decades, triclosan has been added to personal
care products, such as hand soaps and cosmetics,  Bollgard I, the predominantly cultivated pest
and materials ranging from athletic clothing to tolerant cotton, contains only one gene, the Cry 1Ac,
from Bacillus thuringiensis. Bollgard II contains
food packaging.
the Cry 2 Ab gene, in addition to Cry 1 Ac.
108. Exp: (d)
112. Exp: (a)
Speed of light  In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which
 The speed of light is not only the fastest speed that the food is cooked depends mainly upon which
anything in the Universe can travel, it’s regarded of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the lid 2.
as a universal constant. In vacuum, the speed of Temperature of the flame 3. Weight of the lid Select
light has a value of 299,792,458 m/s. the correct answer using the code given below. (a)
(c) 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only (b) (d) 2 and 3 only 1,
 While the speed of all different types of light 2 and 3.
is the same in a vacuum, those speeds can be
different in any sort of medium. Any material 113. Exp: (a)
that’s transparent to light will have those photons Synthetic media
travel through it, including water, acrylic,
 Artificial or synthetic media are prepared by
crystals, glass, and even air. But because there are adding nutrients (both organic and inorganic),
charged particles in these materials — electrons vitamins, salts, O2 and CO2 gas phases, serum
in particular — they interact with the photons in proteins, carbohydrates, cofactors.
such a way that they slow them down. Light, even
 Such media are composed of the substances that
though it isn’t charged, behaves like a wave. As a are chemically known. These media are very
photon moves through space, it exhibits oscillating useful in studying the physiology, metabolic
electric and magnetic fields, and can interact with nature and nutritional requirements of microbes.
charged particles. These interactions slow it down, Both autotrophs and heterotrophs can be grown in
and cause it to move at a speed less than the speed these media. Examples- Mineral glucose medium,
of light as long as they’re in a material. Richard’s solution, Raulins medium etc.

27
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

 Viruses cannot be grown in synthetic culture from crude distillation unit, short residue and
media because they lack metabolic machinery of clarified oil from fluidized catalytic cracker unit.
their own and are totally dependent on their host  It is used primarily for steam boilers in power
cell for replication.
plants, aboard ships, and in industrial plants to
114. Exp: (b) generate heat, or used in an engine to generate
power.
Adenoviruses
 Residual fuel oil is less useful because it is so viscous
 Adenoviruses are medium-sized, non-enveloped that it has to be heated with a special heating
viruses with an icosahedral nucleo-capsid
system before use and it may contain relatively
containing a double stranded DNA genome.
high amounts of pollutants, particularly sulfur,
 Retroviruses are single-stranded RNA animal which forms sulfur dioxide upon combustion.
viruses that employ a double-stranded DNA
 Sulphur contained in fuel c also contributes to the
intermediate for replication.
formation of secondary particulate matter (PM).
 Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that typically
cause respiratory illnesses, such as a common 119. Exp: (c)
cold, conjunctivitis (an infection in the eye that is
 Land without soil can support only very small
sometimes called pink eye), croup, bronchitis, or
primitive plants such as lichens and mosses that
pneumonia.
can cling onto a rock surface.
 The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is
 Mosses form dense mats on the soil, they reduce
grouped to the genus Lentivirus within the family
the impact of falling rain and prevent soil erosion.
of Retroviridae.
Mosses are non-flowering plants which produce
115. Exp: (c) spores and have stems and leaves, but don’t have
true roots.
Cymbopogon citratus
 Lichens grow on any undisturbed surface–bark,
 Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a natural
wood, mosses, rock, soil, peat, glass, metal, plastic,
mosquito repellent.
and even cloth. They can absorb water without
116. Exp: (b) having roots.
Primary producers in the food chains of oceans  Fern is a member of a group of vascular
plants (plants with xylem and phloem). They grow
 Free-living copepods form a crucial link in the food
in soils.
chain and are often assigned the role of “primary
consumers.” 120. Exp. (d)
 Cyanobacteria are important primary producer.
 Web 3.0 is the next version of the internet, where
Diatoms are one of the major primary producers
services will run on blockchain. It is a decentralised
in the ocean.
internet that runs on a public blockchain, which is
 Most foraminifera are heterotrophic, consuming also used for cryptocurrency transactions.
smaller organisms and organic matter; some smaller
 It will be permissionless and democratic. For
species are specialised feeders on phytodetritus,
while others specialise in consuming diatoms. instance: Twitter will not be able to censor posts
and Facebook will not be able to maintain a
117. Exp: (d) database of billions of users that can be potentially
used to influence elections.
 To protect itself, a hedgehog curls his head and feet
into his body and forms a ball to protect his soft,  In a Web 3.0 universe, people will control their
delicate underside. own data and will be able to move around from
 Upon seeing a predator, the yellow-bellied marmot social media to email to shopping using a single
whistles to warn the others in the area, after which personalized account, creating a public record on
it typically hides in a nearby rock pile until there the blockchain of all of that activity.
is no more threat.  All data will be interconnected in a decentralized
 If under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl way, unlike the current generation of the
into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails internet (Web 2.0), where data is mostly stored in
to defend themselves. centralized repositories.
 Three key features of Web 3.0 are: Ubiquity,
118. Exp: (d)
Semantic Web, Artificial Intelligence and 3D
Furnace Oil Graphics. Examples of Web 3.0: The most recent
 Furnace oil or fuel oil is a dark viscous residual fuel example of Web 3.0 are the NFTs or non-fungible
obtained by blending mainly heavier components tokens. hence , all the statements are correct.

28
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

121. Exp. (d) amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical

power).
 Software as a service (SaaS) allows users to connect
to and use cloud-based apps over the Internet.  The common digital computing requires the data to
Common examples are email, calendaring and be encoded into binary digits (bits), each of which
office tools (such as Microsoft Office 365). is always in one of two definite states (0 or 1).
 SaaS provides a complete software solution which  Quantum computation uses quantum bits
you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from a (qubits).
cloud service provider. You rent the use of an app
124. Exp. (d)
for your organisation and your users connect to
it over the Internet, usually with a web browser.  Short Range Devices (SRD) are radio devices that
Statement 1 is incorrect. offer a low risk of interference with other radio
 Access app data from anywhere. With data stored services, usually because their transmitted power,
in the cloud, users can access their information and hence their range, is low. The definition ‘Short
from any Internet-connected computer or mobile Range Device’ may be applied to many different
device. And when app data is stored in the cloud, types of wireless equipment, including various
no data is lost if a user’s computer or device fails. forms of:
Statement 2 is correct.  Access control (including door and gate
 If you have used a web-based email service such openers)
as Outlook, Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, then you have  Alarms and movement detectors
already used a form of SaaS. With these services,
you log into your account over the Internet,  Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
often from a web browser. The email software
 Cordless audio devices, including wireless
is located on the service provider’s network and
microphones
your messages are stored there as well. You can
access your email and stored messages from a web  Industrial control
browser on any computer or Internet-connected
 Local Area Networks
device. Statement 3 is correct.
 Medical implants
122. Exp. (c)
 Metering devices
 A Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS)
is a warhead delivery system that uses a low  Remote control
earth orbit towards its target destination. Just
 Radio frequency identification (RFID)
before reaching the target, it deorbits through a
retrograde engine burn.  Road Transport Telematics
 The idea behind FOBS is, a warhead is put into a  Telemetry.
stable orbit and it deorbits over the target.
 Short range devices often benefit from a relaxed
 If the target and the launch position is lined up and regulatory regime compared with other radio
the warhead keeps going round, it will complete communications equipment. As a general
a circle. Obviously, with the earth moving during principle, a user is licence free to operate such
this, it is more of a spiral than a ring, but the equipment; some specific cases may require an
horizontal movement is countered in such a way individual licence.
that the warhead still goes over the target.
125. Exp. (d)
123. Exp. (b)
 Biofilm is an association of micro-organisms in
 The phrase ‘quantum supremacy’ was coined which microbial cells adhere to each other on
in the year 2011 by John Preskill, Professor of living or non-living surfaces within a self-produced
Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of matrix of extracellular polymeric substance.
Technology.
 Biofilm formation is a multi-step process starting
 Quantum supremacy refers to a problem-solving with attachment to a surface then formation of
process by the quantum computer that cannot micro-colony that leads to the formation of three
be solved by a classical computer in its normal dimensional structure and finally ending with
lifetime. maturation followed by detachment.
 The concept is related to the speed at which a  During biofilm formation many species of bacteria
quantum computer performs. are able to communicate with one another through
 Quantum computers are different from binary a specific mechanism called quorum sensing. It is
digital electronic computers that are based on a system of stimulus to coordinate different gene
transistors (a semiconductor device used to expression.

29
 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK www.iasscore.in

 Bacterial biofilm is less accessible to antibiotics and 127. Exp. (b)

the human immune system and thus poses a big
 COVISHIELD vaccine is based on the platform
threat to public health because of its involvement
which uses a recombinant, replication-deficient
in a variety of infectious diseases. Statement 3 is
chimpanzee adenovirus vector encoding the
correct.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein. Following
 Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces administration, the genetic material of part of
and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and coronavirus is expressed which stimulates an
hospital settings.
immune response. Hence the statement is
 Biofilms can be present on the teeth of most incorrect.
animals as dental plaque, where they may cause
 Sputnik V is the world’s first registered vaccine
tooth decay and gum disease. Statement 1 is
based on a well-studied human adenovirus
correct
vector platform. It has been approved for use in
 A combination of several pathogens can 71 countries with a total population of 4 billion
synergistically interact to form biofilms in the people. The vaccine is named after the first Soviet
food industry. In food-processing environments, space satellite. The launch of Sputnik-1 in 1957
bacteria are able to exist as multispecies biofilms,
reinvigorated space research around the world,
from where both spoilage and pathogenic bacteria
creating a so-called “Sputnik moment” for the
can contaminate food. For instance in the fishing
global community. The vaccine’s efficacy is 97.6%,
industry, fresh fish products can suffer from
based on the analysis of data on the incidence of
biofilm formation by mixed pathogenic species
coronavirus among Russians vaccinated with both
(Aeromonashydrophila, L. monocytogenes, S.
enterica, or Vibrio spp.), which can imply significant vaccine components between December 5, 2020
health and economic issues. Synergistic interactions and March 31, 2021. Statement 2 is correct.
have been observed in a fresh-cut produce  Covaxin is an inactivated viral vaccine. This vaccine
processing plant, where E. coli interacted with is developed with Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero
Burkholderiacaryophylli and Ralstoniainsidiosa to Cell-derived technology. They contain inactivated
form mixed biofilms. Statement 2 is correct. viruses, which cannot infect a person but still can
teach the immune system to prepare a defence
126. Exp. (c)
mechanism against the active virus. Statement 3
 Probiotics are foods that are made up of good live is correct.
bacteria or yeasts that naturally stay in the human
body. Human body is a host to good and bad 128. Exp. (c)
bacteria. Whenever one gets an infection, there are Impact of Solar Flares and CMEs on Earth
more bacteria that is bad. Probiotic supplements
add good bacteria to the human body.  Space-dependent services: Solar storms can hit
operations of space-dependent services like global
 These are a combination of beneficial bacteria
positioning systems (GPS), radio, and satellite
and yeasts that naturally stay in the human body.
communications.
Bacteria is not always a negative addition to the
body, it is positive too.  Radio communication: Geomagnetic
storms interfere with high-frequency radio
 Probiotics are part of a larger picture concerning
bacteria and your body which is called your communications and GPS navigation systems.
microbiome. These microbes are a combination  Magnetosphere: CMEs, with ejectiles loaded
of - Bacteria, Fungi (including yeasts), Viruses, and with matter travelling at millions of miles an
Protozoa. Statement 1 is correct. hour, can potentially create disturbances in the
 Benefits of Probiotics in a Nutshell magnetosphere, the protective shield surrounding
the Earth.
 Help the digestive system of the body
 Astronauts: Astronauts on spacewalks face health
 Keeping bad bacteria from getting out of control
risks from possible exposure to solar radiation
and making one ill
outside the Earth’s protective atmosphere.
 Create vitamins in the body
 Other: Aircraft flights, power grids, and space
 Help support the cells that line your gut to prevent exploration programmes are vulnerable.
bad bacteria that you may have consumed from
entering your blood. 129. Exp. (d)
 Breakdown and absorption of medications  Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells. They
 Statement 2 is incorrect. And statement 3 is play a critical role in keeping us healthy. Without
correct. them, we can’t survive.

30
www.iasscore.in SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

 T cells protect us from infection. In our daily  Several studies on workers exposed to carbon
lives, we’re constantly exposed to pathogens, nanotubes have shown a significant increase
such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Without T of biomarkers of fibrosis. The organizations
lymphocytes, also called T cells, every exposure for cancer research (IARC) of the World Health
could be life-threatening. T cells can wipe out Organization (WHO) have classified one type
infected or cancerous cells. They also direct the
of carbon nanotubes (Mitzui 7) as potentially
immune response by helping B lymphocytes
carcinogenic in humans [IARC 111].
to eliminate invading pathogens.
 B cells create antibodies. B lymphocytes, also 131. Exp. (d)
called B cells, create a type of protein called an
antibody. These antibodies bind to pathogens or  Statement 1 is incorrect: To measure the age of
to foreign substances, such as toxins, to neutralize plant and animal remains from the more recent
them. For example, an antibody can bind to a past, scientists use a radioactive isotope of carbon,
virus, which prevents it from entering a normal called carbon-14, as their clock. As carbon-14
cell and causing infection. B cells can also recruit decays, with a half-life of about 5,730 years, it
other cells to help destroy an infected cell. becomes nitrogen-14. Using this clock, they have
dated bones, campfires and other objects as old as
130. Exp. (d)
60,000 years, and in some cases even older.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Natural nanoparticles
 Statement 2 and 3 is correct: DNA barcoding
are formed from magma spewing volcanoes;others
are formed by forces such as of oceanic breakers, uses specific regions of DNA in order to identify
tides, river currents, etc. species. Initiatives are taking place around the
world to generate DNA barcodes for all groups of
 Statement 2 and 3 are correct: Among
the metal oxide NPs present in cosmetic living organisms and to make these data publically
products, amorphous silica (SiO2), zinc oxide available in order to help understand, conserve,
(ZnO) and particularly titanium dioxide and utilize the world’s biodiversity. For land plants
(TiO2) are the most frequent. The thing that makes the core DNA barcode markers are two sections
nanoparticles so interesting for applications is that of coding regions within the chloroplast, part
materials in nanosize have properties (optical, of the genes, rbcL and matK. In order to create
chemical, magnetic, biological, electrical, and high quality databases, each plant that is DNA
mechanical) that are completely different from the barcoded needs to have a herbarium voucher that
properties of the same material in bulk. These new
accompanies the rbcL and matK DNA sequences.
properties may cause a problem if nanoparticles
are unintentionally released – very few of these  The quality of the DNA sequences, the primers
particles exist in nature and we as humans have used, and trace files should also be accessible to
not been exposed to them throughout evolution. users of the data. Multiple individuals should be
Therefore, we cannot be sure that our body have DNA barcoded for each species in order to check
developed defense mechanisms to deal with them. for errors and allow for intraspecific variation.
 An important consideration in the deposition of The world’s herbaria provide a rich resource
particles in the respiratory system is the lung-lining of already preserved and identified material
fluid (a complex mixture of lipids and surfactant and these can be used for DNA barcoding as
proteins) since any depositing material quickly well as by collecting fresh samples from the
becomes coated in these surfactant proteins and wild. These protocols describe the whole DNA
lipids. Such a coating gives the deposited particle
barcoding process, from the collection of plant
its ‘biological identity’ this so-called protein
corona, which is likely to play a role in the way material from the wild or from the herbarium,
particles interact with lung cells such as alveolar how to extract and amplify the DNA, and how to
macrophages. check the quality of the data after sequencing.

*********

31