UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Fram2 mission, hormones produced in the human body and more (Week 104)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the sound, consider the following statements:

1. It can travel long distances underwater.

2. Its propagation is not affected by salinity.

3. The higher the frequency of the sound wave, the better the propagation of sound underwater.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Operating in the deep sea necessitates unique technology and highly specialised capabilities that are difficult and costly to create.

— Sound may travel enormous distances underwater, but its propagation is heavily influenced by hydrological variables like temperature, pressure, and salinity. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— The lower the frequency of the sound wave, the better the propagation of sound underwater. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Very low frequency (VLF) and very low frequency (ELF) sound technologies are at the bleeding edge of science, requiring extensive study and significant resources to create.

— Pressure underwater rises by around one atmosphere (atm) for every ten meters of ocean depth. One atm is about equivalent to the average sea-level atmospheric pressure on Earth, or 101,325 Pascals. The pressure at the ocean bed in the Indian EEZ is up to 380 atm, or 380 times that on Earth’s surface.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the hormones produced in the human body and their association, consider the following pairs:

1. Oxytocin – Stress

2. Cortisol – Emotions

3. Insulin – Blood sugar levels

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) All three pairs

(d) None of the above pairs

Explanation

— Striking the perfect balance can open the door to increased energy, mood, and health, whereas imbalances can cause problems that spread throughout our daily lives.

— Hormones are the body’s messengers, and they play an important role in sustaining a variety of physiological functions, including stress reactions and energy control. Among these, oxytocin, cortisol, and insulin are particularly important for both physical and emotional well-being.

— Oxytocin is commonly associated with pleasant emotions such as trust, bonding, and social connection. It improves appetite regulation and emotional well-being. Hence, pair 1 is not correct.

— Cortisol, the “stress hormone,” is released under stressful conditions to assist the body in responding properly. High cortisol levels, which are frequently caused by prolonged stress, can result in weight gain, mood changes, and impaired metabolism. Hence, pair 2 is not correct.

— Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells for energy. Stable insulin levels are critical for avoiding energy dumps and controlling cravings. Hence, pair 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Fram2 mission, consider the following statements:

1. It is a polar orbit mission.

2. It will be the crewed mission using the reusable Crew Dragon.

3. The mission is focused on understanding human health in space.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

— Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing to launch a crew of four private astronauts led by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur on a trip to orbit Earth from pole to pole, a new track that no humans have taken before.

— The Fram2 mission will place four humans in polar orbit, also known as low Earth orbit, for the first time in human history. The international crew will be placed in a 90-degree circular orbit, allowing them to fly over both the North and South Poles. During their voyage, they are anticipated to see natural phenomena including the Aurora Borealis. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Fram2 will be SpaceX’s 16th crewed trip using the reusable Crew Dragon, a gumdrop-shaped spacecraft designed with NASA funding to transport people to and from the International Space Station. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Fram2 will be a multi-day space mission in which the Dragon spacecraft and crew will tour Earth from polar orbit, travelling over the polar regions.

— The astronauts will undertake 22 research studies to better understand human health in orbit. Their studies include the first X-ray in space to analyse muscle and skeletal mass, as well as the growth of mushrooms in microgravity. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following minerals/metals are processed through deep sea mining?

1. Polymetallic nodules

2. Nickel

3. Cobalt crusts

4. Sulphide deposits

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Explanation

— Deep sea mining is extracting mineral resources and metals from the ocean’s seafloor. There are three types of such mining: extracting deposit-rich polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor, mining enormous seabed sulphide deposits, and removing cobalt crusts from rock.

— These nodules, deposits, and crusts include minerals such as nickel, rare earths, cobalt, and others that are required for batteries and other materials used in renewable energy harvesting, as well as for everyday electronics such as smartphones and computers.

— The engineering and technologies utilised in deep sea mining are constantly improving. Some corporations plan to use giant pumps to suck items from the seafloor. Others are creating artificial intelligence-based technology to educate deep sea robots how to pick up nodules from the floor. Some are considering using modern machinery to extract resources from the sides of massive underwater mountains and volcanoes.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Signal application, consider the following statements:

1. It uses end-to-end encryption for its messaging and calling services.

2. It lacks a feature for automated message deletion within a certain time frame.

3. It has been developed by India under the Make in India initiative.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1 only

Explanation

— Signal has grown in popularity in Washington in recent months, particularly since it was disclosed last December that Chinese state-sponsored hackers hacked US telecommunications networks and seized a significant stockpile of Americans’ cell phone records.

— Signal is an app that allows for direct texting, group conversations, and phone and video calls. The app’s message and phone services use end-to-end encryption, so a third party cannot read conversation content or listen in on calls. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Signal also collects minimal data and has a function that enables for automated message deletion within a specific time limit, providing an additional layer of data protection. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The Signal app, an encrypted messaging application, was created by the Signal Foundation, an American non-profit organisation. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 104)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 104)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 103)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 103)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 103)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 102)

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