UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Atoms4Food, Mount Everest and more (Week 89)

Statement 1: Particulate matter (pm) and toxic gases are known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress, disrupting the delicate balance of the endocrine system.

Statement 2: It is known to cause impaired insulin, leading to insulin sensitivity and abnormal blood sugar levels requiring timely attention.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.

(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

— Air pollution is known to harm the lungs, eyes, skin, and heart. However, according to different research, there is a link between dirty air and metabolic health, emphasised Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai.

— “Particulate matter (PM) and hazardous gases are known to cause inflammation and oxidative stress, upsetting the delicate balance of the endocrine system. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— This is known to affect insulin, resulting in insulin sensitivity and high blood sugar levels that require prompt care,” stated Dr. Agarwal. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Insulin sensitivity refers to how well the body’s cells respond to insulin, a hormone required to regulate blood sugar levels. “Reduced insulin sensitivity, also known as insulin resistance, can result in metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

— According to the World Health Organisation, diabetes affects over 347 million people worldwide, with low and middle-income nations accounting for more than 80% of linked deaths,” said Dr. Parjeet Kaur, associate director of endocrinology and diabetes at Medanta in Gurugram.

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain standing 5.5 miles (8.85 km) above sea level, is still growing. The reason behind this growth is known:

(a) Dynamic scaling

(b) Ramsauer–Townsend effect

(c) Biefeld–Brown effect

(d) Isostatic rebound

Explanation

— Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain at 5.5 miles (8.85 km) above sea level, is still expanding. While the mountain and the Himalayas have gently risen for 50 million years due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, scientists have uncovered another reason for Everest’s remarkable growth.

— Researchers say the Kosi and Arun rivers merged approximately 89,000 years ago. Everest has grown by 49-164 feet (15-50 meters) since the merger, with an annual uplift rate of 0.01-0.02 inches (0.2-0.5 millimetres).

— This growth is caused by isostatic rebound, which occurs when heavy materials such as rock or ice are removed.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS), consider the following statements:

1. This instrument is onboard Aditya L1 to block the sun’s bright rays and allow astronomers to view and study its periphery.

2. It offers a field of view between the Sun’s outer and inner corona.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The Aditya L1 mission will work closely with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission to conduct solar observations beginning in the second quarter of 2025.

— India launched its first mission to study the Sun in September 2023, and Aditya has been working at the Lagrange point (L1), approximately 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth, since January of this year. Last week, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the ESA-built Proba-3 mission. It is the first space mission to include two satellites designed to fly in formation to simulate a solar eclipse, allowing researchers to study the solar corona.

— Aditya L1 and Proba-3 share a coronagraph, equipment designed to obscure the sun’s brilliant radiation while allowing astronomers to view and analyse its perimeter, neighbouring features, or objects. The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is on board Aditya, while Proba-3 houses the Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— ASPIICS provides a field of vision between the Sun’s outer and inner coronas, a circular belt that is typically visible during solar eclipses. It is fitted with a 1.4-metre-diameter occulting disc. This effectively means that ASPIICS will allow for a closer look at this belt, which had previously been 3 solar radii wide. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following organisations have launched the Flagship ‘Atoms4Food’ Initiative to Expand the Use of Nuclear Techniques for Global Food Security?

1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

2. Food and Agriculture Organisation

3. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

4. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4

Explanation

— The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) inaugurated ‘Atoms4Food’, a new flagship effort to assist increase food security and combat global hunger.

— The Atoms4Food effort will help countries adopt innovative nuclear technology to increase agricultural output, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, improve nutrition, and adapt to the challenges of climate change.

(Source: http://www.iaea.org)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Recently, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has inaugurated the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory at:

(a) Srinagar

(b) Pithoragarh

(c) Binsar

(d) Ladakh

Explanation

— Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, launched the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh, on October 4, 2024.

— MACE is Asia’s largest imaging Cherenkov telescope. Located at ~4,300 m, it is the world’s tallest of its sort.

— BARC built the telescope in-house, with assistance from ECIL and other Indian industry partners. MACE Observatory was inaugurated as part of the DAE’s Platinum Jubilee year celebrations.

— The celebration began with Dr. Mohanty unveiling commemorative plaques at the MACE location in Hanle, Ladakh, which formally inaugurated the MACE Observatory.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Source: pib.gov.in)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 89)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 89)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 88)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 88)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 88)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 88)

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