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Q1Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2023
Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water. Some can grow below the freezing point of water. Some can grow in highly acidic environments with a pH below 3.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- CAll threeCorrect
- DNone
Explanation
Correct. Thermophiles thrive above 100 °C near hydrothermal vents, psychrophiles grow below 0 °C in polar ice, and acidophiles flourish at pH below 3 in acid mine drainage.
Q2Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2022
Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics:
1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- C1 and 3Correct
- D2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Probiotics include both bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) and yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces boulardii), and they aid in digesting lactose. Statement 2 is wrong because probiotic organisms naturally inhabit the gut.
Q3Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2021
Consider the following:
1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial/synthetic medium?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Bacteria and fungi can be grown on synthetic nutrient media. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and require living host cells, so they cannot be cultured on artificial media alone.
Q4Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2021
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a bare rock?
1. Fern
2. Lichen
3. Moss
4. Mushroom
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 and 4 only
- B2 only
- C2 and 3Correct
- D1, 3 and 4
Explanation
Correct. Lichens and mosses are pioneer species capable of colonising bare rock. Lichens secrete acids that slowly weather rock, and mosses can anchor on minimal substrate.
Q5Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2014
Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?
- ACrabCorrect
- BMite
- CScorpion
- DSpider
Explanation
Correct. Mites, scorpions and spiders are all arachnids (class Arachnida), whereas crabs belong to the class Malacostraca (crustaceans).
Q6Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2013
Consider the following minerals:
1. Calcium
2. Iron
3. Sodium
Which of the minerals given above is/are required by the human body for the contraction of muscles?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Calcium triggers the actin-myosin interaction for contraction, sodium enables nerve impulse transmission to muscles, and iron is vital for oxygen delivery to muscle tissue via haemoglobin.
Q7Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2013
Consider the following animals:
1. Sea cow
2. Sea horse
3. Sea lion
Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?
- A1 only
- B1 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Sea cows (dugongs/manatees) and sea lions are marine mammals. Sea horses are bony fish of the genus Hippocampus.
Q8Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2010
From the point of view of evolution of living organisms, which one of the following is the correct sequence of evolution?
- AOtter — Tortoise — Shark
- BShark — Tortoise — OtterCorrect
- CTortoise — Shark — Otter
- DShark — Otter — Tortoise
Explanation
Correct. Fish (shark) evolved first, followed by reptiles (tortoise), and then mammals (otter) — matching the progression of vertebrate evolution.
Q9Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2008
Assertion (A): In the human body, the liver has an important role in fat digestion.
Reason (R): Liver produces two important fat-digesting enzymes.
Select the correct answer.
- ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
- BBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- CA is true but R is falseCorrect
- DA is false but R is true
Explanation
Correct. The liver aids fat digestion by producing bile which emulsifies fats, making A true. However, the liver does not produce fat-digesting enzymes (lipases come from the pancreas), making R false.
Q10Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2007
How do most insects respire?
- AThrough skin
- BThrough gills
- CBy lungs
- DBy tracheal systemCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Insects respire through a network of tracheae — tiny tubes that open at spiracles on the body surface and deliver oxygen directly to tissues.
Q11Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2007
Which one of the following is the correct sequence in the order of decreasing length of the three structural parts of the small intestine in the human body?
- AJejunum — Duodenum — Ileum
- BIleum — Duodenum — Jejunum
- CIleum — Jejunum — DuodenumCorrect
- DJejunum — Ileum — Duodenum
Explanation
Correct. The ileum (~3.5 m) is the longest, followed by the jejunum (~2.5 m), and the duodenum (~25 cm) is the shortest part of the small intestine.
Q12Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2007
In human beings, normally in which one of the following parts does the sperm fertilize the ovum?
- ACervix
- BFallopian tubeCorrect
- CLower part of uterus
- DUpper part of uterus
Explanation
Correct. Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube (oviduct), where the sperm meets the ovum after ovulation.