UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Axiom Mission 4, naval aviation and more (Week 108)

QUESTION 1

Which of the following is/are the key role of naval aviation?

1. Fleet air defence

2. Anti-surface warfare

3. Strategic power projections

4. Supporting amphibious warfare

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— India and France signed a $7.4 billion (approximately Rs 63,000 crore) government-to-government contract for 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy.

What is Naval aviation?

— Naval aviation refers to the use of military air power by fleets, which includes aircraft that operate from warships (such as aircraft carriers and other aircraft), helicopter-carrying surface combatants, or land bases to support maritime operations.

— The primary functions of naval aviation include:

(i) Fleet air defence

(ii) Strategic power projection.

(iii) Anti-surface warfare

(iv) Supporting amphibious warfare.

(v) Mine countermeasures

— It consists of specialised naval aircraft built to satisfy the specific requirements of carrier operations and small decks, such as short takeoffs and arrested landings, as well as duties such as air-to-air combat, surface and submarine attack, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and logistics support.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to Salmonella and E. coli, consider the following statements:

1. E. coli bacteria can cause severe illness if consumed and are the leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalisations, and deaths.

2. Salmonella strains are harmless — they are, in fact, important to the digestive process.

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 Tamil Nadu government has outlawed the production, storage, distribution, and sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs, citing public health concerns.

— Eggs are known to carry a variety of pathogens, which are typically neutralised during the cooking process (by heat). This is especially essential in Indian settings, where “improper preparation and storage” in hot and humid weather increases the danger of contamination by germs, particularly Salmonella and E Coli.

— Salmonella bacterium can cause severe sickness if ingested. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they are “a leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalisations, and deaths” globally. Warm, humid conditions are good for salmonella to thrive. Salmonella infection causes watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— E coli are bacteria that can cause infections in the intestine, urinary tract, and other areas of the body. While most E Coli strains are harmless—they are actually necessary for digestion—some can cause serious sickness. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Bombay Blood Group, consider the following statements:

1. It is a rare blood type which was first discovered in Bombay in 1952.

2. It is also known as the ‘hh’ or ‘Oh’ blood group.

3. This blood group system has an abundant H antigen.

4. They can easily form A or B antigens for the ABO blood group system.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The Bombay Blood Group (BBG) is an uncommon blood type found in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, in 1952. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It is also known as the ‘hh’ or ‘Oh’ blood group; it lacks the H antigen, which is the precursor to the A and B antigens found in the more prevalent ABO blood group system. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is not correct.

— As a result, regardless of genetic makeup, individuals cannot produce A or B antigens for the ABO blood group system. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— BBG patients create anti-H antibodies, which react against red blood cells containing the H antigen, making transfusions difficult. They can only get blood from other BBG patients because transfusions from other groups, particularly O, might induce severe reactions.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Swyer’s Syndrome refers to:

(a) A condition in males with an extra X chromosome.

(b) A group of genetic disorders affecting adrenal steroid production.

(c) A person with this syndrome has 46,XY chromosomes and is thus male, but has female characteristics.

(d) A rare genetic disorder where individuals with XY chromosomes have impaired conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Explanation

— A male-determining gene on the Y chromosome determines the sex of newborn humans and other mammals. Females in humans, as in other mammals, have two X chromosomes, whereas males have a single X and a little chromosome called Y. The names had nothing to do with their shape; the X represented “unknown”.

— Swyer’s Syndrome, commonly known as XY gonadal dysgenesis, is an uncommon condition that affects one in every 30,000 to 80,000 births. A female has 46,XX chromosomes, while males have 46,XY chromosomes.

— A person with this condition has a 46,XY chromosome and is therefore male, but possesses female traits such as a female voice, fully or partially formed external genitalia, a vagina, underdeveloped breasts, fallopian tubes, and a uterus, but no ovaries.

— The condition develops when the SRY gene, which controls the creation of male organs via the XY chromosomes, mutates during the foetal stage. As a result, no testosterone is created, and the testes are not fully developed. Thus, the testes are simply a ‘streak gonad’ that cannot reproduce.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), consider the following statements:

1. It is the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years.

2. The mission will carry an all-Indian crew on its journey.

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

— Axiom Space will launch its fourth trip to the International Space Station on May 29 from Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three others.

— This historic flight demonstrates how Axiom Space is reinventing the approach to low-Earth orbit and upgrading national space programs worldwide.

— The Ax-4 crew consists of people from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each country’s first journey to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in more than four decades. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 108)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 108)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 107)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 107)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 107)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 107)

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