UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on ageing, bleeding eye virus and more (Week 88)

1. Decline in Gastrointestinal Motility

2. Increase in Salivary Secretion

3. Nutrient Malabsorption

How many of the above are impacts on the digestion of ageing?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— As we age, our bodies undergo a variety of physiological changes, including alterations to the digestive system. These alterations can have a major impact on digestive function, resulting in pain and reduced nutrient absorption.

— Understanding these changes, says Kanikka Malhotra, Consultant Dietician and Diabetes Educator, is critical for managing age-related digestive disorders and maintaining optimal gut health.

— Gastrointestinal Motility Decline: As people get older, their digestive tract muscles, particularly those in the intestines, weaken. This slows the flow of food through the system, resulting in constipation or, in certain circumstances, diarrhoea. Reduced muscular tone in the colon can also lead to discomfort and slow digestion. Hence, 1 is correct.

— Reduced Salivary Secretion: Saliva is responsible for breaking down food and lubricating it to make swallowing easier. Saliva secretion declines with age, making it more difficult to chew and swallow meals. This can impede digestion and nutrition absorption. Hence, 2 is not correct.

— Changes in Gastric Acid Production: Older persons frequently experience a decrease in stomach acid production, which is necessary for breaking down food and absorbing minerals such as protein, calcium, and vitamin B12. This drop might result in indigestion, bloating, and gas.

— Nutrient Malabsorption: As we age, the surface area of the intestines decreases, as does the efficiency with which nutrients are absorbed. This can cause deficits in vital vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, calcium, and iron. Hence, 3 is correct.

— Weakened Immune System: As immune function declines with age, the digestive system becomes more susceptible to infections, exacerbating gastrointestinal problems.

— Bowel Mobility: Weakened intestinal muscles might result in sluggish bowel motions and constipation. The rhythmic contractions that move food through the digestive tract become less efficient, which contributes to constipation.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Which of the following statements with reference to fertility is/are correct?

1. Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) significantly impacts female fertility.

2. Prolonged exposure to road traffic noise affects men, particularly those over 35.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— A new study published in the BMJ Journal connected exposure to two prevalent environmental factors, air pollution and road traffic noise, to infertility in both men and women.

— The study found that long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) has a considerable influence on male fertility, whereas extended exposure to road traffic noise had a greater impact on women, particularly those over the age of 35. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are not correct.

— According to the researchers, “Among men, we observed that exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a higher risk of infertility, with similar sized hazard ratios in the two investigated age groups (30-36.9 and 37-45 years).”

— It also stated, “Among women, noise was associated with a higher risk of infertility in the 35-45 age group, whereas no association was observed in the 30-34.9 age group.”

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Which of the following viruses is also known as the ‘bleeding eye’ virus?

(a) Avian influenza

(b) Hepatitis B virus

(c) Marburg virus

(d) Hepatitis E virus

Explanation

— As of November 29, the Ministry of Health in Rwanda reported that an epidemic of Marburg virus disease (MVD) has killed at least 15 people and infected at least 66 others.

— MVD, sometimes known as the “bleeding eye virus,” is one of the worst diseases capable of infecting humans. Case mortality rates in previous outbreaks ranged from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus type and case care. The first incidence in Rwanda this year was recorded in September.

— Marburg is a filovirus, just like Ebola. Both infections are clinically identical and, while rare, can generate high-fatality epidemics.

— The first recognised MVD outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967. Following that, successive outbreaks have largely been recorded throughout Africa, most recently in Tanzania, Ghana, and now Rwanda.

— The World Health Organisation has listed MVD as one of the infections that pose the greatest hazard to public health and for which no suitable treatments or vaccinations exist.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the H5N1, consider the following statements:

1. It is also known as avian flu.

2. The virus has not stormed through mainland Antarctica.

3. Cases of human-to-human transmission have been recorded.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in North America has put countries beyond the United States on alert.

— Bird flu, often known as avian flu, is an infectious viral infection that primarily affects and spreads among poultry and some wild birds. There are several strains of bird flu virus that have been circulating for a long time among at least 100 bird species, including wild waterfowl like ducks and geese, with little harm to them. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Occasionally, a strain of the flu virus spreads from wild birds to poultry farms and replicates in crowded warehouses of farmed animals. It then rapidly develops into a highly deadly flu virus, causing a greater wave of disease and death among birds than typical.

— The new version of H5N1 first emerged in Europe in 2020 and then rapidly reached Europe, Africa, and Asia. By late 2021, it had spread to North America and in the fall of 2022, it appeared in South America. In February 2024, the virus stormed through mainland Antarctica. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Although no cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported, there are fears that the H5N1 variation is just one mutation away from becoming a serious public health hazard. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Proba-3, consider the following statements:

1. The mission will attempt the first-ever “precision formation flying”, where two satellites will fly together and maintain a fixed configuration in space.

2. It will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

3. It is the latest solar mission of NASA.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission on its PSLV rocket to study the solar corona, the outermost and hottest part of the Sun’s atmosphere, from Sriharikota on December 4. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is not correct.

— The mission will also make the first “precision formation flying” attempt, in which two spacecraft fly together and maintain a stable configuration in space. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— This is the most recent solar mission in ESA’s Proba programme. Its predecessors, Proba-1 (also launched by ISRO) and Proba-2, debuted in 2001 and 2009, respectively. Scientists from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland collaborated on Proba-3.

— Proba-3, developed at an estimated cost of 200 million euros, is planned to have a two-year mission life. It will be launched into a highly elliptical orbit measuring approximately 600 x 60,530 km, with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.

— The mission includes two satellites that will be launched together, separated, and then flown in tandem. They will then construct a solar coronagraph, a device that helps block out the Sun’s brilliant light, revealing the objects and atmosphere surrounding it.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 88)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 88)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 87)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 87)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 87)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 87)

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