UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on genome-edited rice, Shiv Shakti point and more (Week 109)

QUESTION 1

Consider the following statements about genome-edited varieties of rice in India:

1. They are climate-resilient.

2. These varieties have been developed by the SAARC Agriculture Centre.

3. The variety ‘Kamala’ targets the Drought and Salt Tolerance (DST) gene to improve the plant’s resilience to harsh soil and climate conditions.

4. The variety ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’ has been developed using genome editing technology targeting the Cytokinin Oxidase 2 (CKX2) gene.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The Agriculture Minister announced the introduction of two genome-edited rice varieties, the first of their kind in the country. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) produced these two climate-resilient types, which conserve water and increase yields, utilising cutting-edge genome editing technology. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) produced these two climate-resilient types, which conserve water and increase yields, utilising cutting-edge genome editing technology. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— DRR DHAN 100 (KAMALA): Developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) in Hyderabad, this variety offers much higher yields, better drought tolerance, and earlier maturity than its parent variety, Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204).

— According to the ICAR, DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) was developed utilising genome editing techniques to improve grain numbers per panicle by targeting the Cytokinin Oxidase 2 (CKX2) gene (also known as Gn1a). Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— PUSA DST RICE 1: The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) in Delhi created this novel genome-edited variety from the widely grown fine-grain variety known as MTU1010.

— The new variety, Pusa DST Rice 1, was created by Site Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN1) genome editing and targets the Drought and Salt Tolerance (DST) gene to increase the plant’s resistance to harsh soil and climate conditions. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Shiv Shakti point, consider the following statements:

1. It is located at the southern high-latitude highlands of the nearside of the Moon.

2. It is the point where India’s Chandrayaan 3 facilitated the world’s first lunar landing.

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 Shiv Shakti point, where India’s Chandrayaan 3 made the world’s first lunar landing in 2023, could be a good location for scientists to explore the lunar surface’s most primordial mantle samples. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Shiv Shakti point is located in the southern high-latitude highlands of the Moon’s nearside. Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) used data from the Pragyan rover’s Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer. They compared metal remains to elemental quantities of sulphur, potassium, and sodium, among others, near the Shiv Shakti location where Chandra-yaan 3 landed on August 23, 2023. Sulphur, potassium, and sodium can help us understand the mantle’s composition and chemistry. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— “There is an anomalous depletion of sodium and potassium at the site, whereas there is an enrichment in sulphur found in the soils at the highland landing site,” according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment.

— The South Pole-Aitken basin is one of the largest known impact craters on the moon.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), consider the following statements:

1. It is a debilitating genetic condition which affects motor neurons that control movement.

2. The condition is caused by mutations which cause a deficiency of a protein.

3. For the treatment, scientists used an oral drug called risdiplam.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— SMA is a debilitating genetic disorder that damages motor neurons, causing gradual muscle weakness. “About one in every 10,000 births has some form of the condition, making it a leading genetic cause of death in infants and children,” according to Nature’s article. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Mutations in the survival motor neurone gene (SMN1) produce a deficit of a protein required for the survival of motor neurones in the spinal cord. “This keeps muscles from getting messages from the brain, leading them to deteriorate. According to a New Atlas research, in its most severe form, SMA-1, motor abilities degrade rapidly and patients often live only two to three years. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Scientists utilised an oral medication called risdiplam, which is prescribed to patients to delay the course of SMA. Risdiplam is normally administered to a patient shortly after birth; the earlier the intervention, the better the outcomes appear to be, according to the New Atlas analysis. As a result, in the current trial, scientists chose to administer the medication before birth for the first time. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to Nuclear fusion, consider the following statements:

1. It is the process by which single atomic nuclei diffuse to form two or more smaller nuclei.

2. The sun, along with all other stars, is powered by Nuclear fusion.

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

— An experimental nuclear fusion reactor in China triggered a lot of excitement by keeping its operational state maintained for more than 1,000 seconds, or over 17 minutes, which is a new record. Nuclear fusion is what produces the energy in the Sun, or any other star.

— Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei merge to produce a single heavier nucleus, releasing enormous amounts of energy. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Fusion reactions occur in a state of matter known as plasma, which is a hot, charged gas composed of positive ions and free-moving electrons that differs from solids, liquids, and gases.

— Nuclear fusion powers the sun and all of the other stars. To fuse in our sun, nuclei must contact at extraordinarily high temperatures, perhaps 10 million degrees Celsius. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

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

QUESTION 5

Which of the following launches was the ISRO’s 100th rocket launch?

(a) NVS-02

(b) XPoSat

(c) SPADEX

(d) Proba-3

Explanation

— ISRO’s 100th Rocket Launch: With the first launch of 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation reached a historic milestone by carrying out 100 launches. The GSLV-F15 launched the navigation satellite NVS-02.

— The space agency evolved from the Indian National Committee for Space Research, which was established in 1962 by the Department of Atomic Energy. The Indian Space Research Organisation that we know today was established in 1969, the same year that the United States sent men to the moon. A distinct space department was established in 1972.

— Isro has created at least six versions of launch vehicles, four of which are still operational. The first two generations of launchers are no longer being used. The four-stage, solid fuel vehicle SLV-3, capable of carrying 40 kg to low earth orbit, flew three times during development and once during operation. There were only four development flights of its upgraded variant, which could lift 150 kg into low earth orbit.

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 109)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 108)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 108)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 108)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 108)

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