UPSC 2010 › Science & Technology

23 questions · 2010 · answers as per the UPSC key

Take test Free
Topics: Health & Diseases (7)Biotechnology & Genetics (4)Physics (4)Biology (2)Computer & Information Technology (2)Space Technology & Astronomy (2)Chemistry (1)Energy & Environment (1)
UPSC 2010 · Q2 · Science & Technology › Physics · Save

If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because

(a) Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulose
(b) Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwaves
(c) Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water
(d) Potato is a fresh organic material whereas paper is a dead organic material
Show answer
Answer: (c) Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water
UPSC 2010 · Q5 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason

(a) It is a genetically modified dwarf variety which is resistant to drought
(b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
(c) It is a genetically modified variety with ten times higher protein content than regular maize crop
(d) It is a genetically modified variety used exclusively for bio-fuel production
Show answer
Answer: (b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
UPSC 2010 · Q7 · Science & Technology › Space Technology & Astronomy · Save

Consider the following statements:

  1. Estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere.
  2. Predicting the onset of monsoons.
  3. Monitoring the pollution of coastal waters.

The satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
UPSC 2010 · Q8 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements.

Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?

(a) The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
(b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
(c) Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
(d) Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D
Show answer
Answer: (b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
UPSC 2010 · Q11 · Science & Technology › Chemistry · Save

Chlorination is a process used for water purification. The disinfecting action of chlorine is mainly due to

(a) The formation of hydrochloric acid when chlorine is added to water
(b) The formation of hypochlorous acid when chlorine is added to water
(c) The formation of nascent oxygen when chlorine is added to water
(d) The formation of hydrogen when chlorine is added to water
Show answer
Answer: (b) The formation of hypochlorous acid when chlorine is added to water
UPSC 2010 · Q13 · Science & Technology › Computer & Information Technology · Save

Consider the following :

  1. Bluetooth device
  2. Cordless phone
  3. Microwave oven
  4. Wi-Fi device

Which of the above can operate between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz range of radio-frequency band ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
UPSC 2010 · Q21 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine ?

(a) Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium
(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
(c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria
(d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host
Show answer
Answer: (b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
UPSC 2010 · Q34 · Science & Technology › Physics · Save

India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th Five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:

  1. Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
  2. Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
  3. Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.
  4. Trillions of Neutrinos pass through human body every second.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
UPSC 2010 · Q36 · Science & Technology › Energy & Environment · Save

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles produce one of the following as “exhaust”.

(a) NH₃
(b) CH₄
(c) H₂O
(d) H₂O₂
Show answer
Answer: (c) H₂O
UPSC 2010 · Q37 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

Recently, LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) procedure is being made popular for vision correction.

Which one of the following statements in this context is not correct?

(a) LASIK procedure is used to correct refractive errors of the eye
(b) It is a procedure that permanently changes the shapes of the cornea
(c) It reduces a person’s dependence on glasses or contact lenses
(d) It is a procedure that can be done on the person of any age
Show answer
Answer: (d) It is a procedure that can be done on the person of any age
UPSC 2010 · Q57 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills ?

(a) Agrobacterium
(b) Clostridium
(c) Nitrosomonas
(d) Pseudomonas
Show answer
Answer: (d) Pseudomonas
UPSC 2010 · Q58 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Which feature of some species of blue-green algae helps promote them as bio-fertilizers ?

(a) They convert atmospheric methane into ammonia which the crop plants can absorb readily.
(b) They induce the crop plants to produce the enzymes which help convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates.
(c) They have the mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the crop plants can absorb readily.
(d) They induce the roots of the crop plants to absorb the soil nitrates in larger quantities.
Show answer
Answer: (c) They have the mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the crop plants can absorb readily.
UPSC 2010 · Q88 · Science & Technology › Physics · Save

What is the principle by which a cooling system (Radiator) in a motor car works?

(a) Conduction only
(b) Convection
(c) Radiation only
(d) Both conduction and radiation
Show answer
Answer: (b) Convection
UPSC 2010 · Q89 · Science & Technology › Computer & Information Technology · Save

Which among the following do/does not belong/belongs to the GSM family of wireless technologies?

(a) EDGE
(b) LTE
(c) DSL
(d) Both EDGE and LTE
Show answer
Answer: (c) DSL
UPSC 2010 · Q90 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumours, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) It is a robotic image guided system
(b) It delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation
(c) It has the capability of achieving sub-millimetre accuracy
(d) It can map the spread of tumour in the body
Show answer
Answer: (d) It can map the spread of tumour in the body
UPSC 2010 · Q108 · Science & Technology › Physics · Save

Indiscriminate disposal of used fluorescent electric lamps causes mercury pollution in the environment. Why is mercury used in the manufacture of these lamps?

(a) A mercury coating on the inside of the lamp makes the light bright white
(b) When the lamp is switched on, the mercury in the lamp causes the emission of ultra-violet radiations
(c) When the lamp is switched on, it is the mercury which converts the ultra-violet energy into visible light
(d) None of the statement given above is correct about the use of mercury in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps
Show answer
Answer: (b) When the lamp is switched on, the mercury in the lamp causes the emission of ultra-violet radiations
UPSC 2010 · Q110 · Science & Technology › Space Technology & Astronomy · Save

In the context of space technology, what is “Bhuvan”, recently in the news?

(a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India
(b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II
(c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3-D imaging capabilities of India
(d) A space telescope developed by India
Show answer
Answer: (c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3-D imaging capabilities of India
UPSC 2010 · Q123 · Science & Technology › Biology · Save

Which one of the following processes in the bodies of living organisms is a digestive process ?

(a) Breakdown of proteins into amino acids
(b) Breakdown of glucose into CO₂ and H₂O
(c) Conversion of glucose into glycogen
(d) Conversion of amino acids into proteins
Show answer
Answer: (a) Breakdown of proteins into amino acids
UPSC 2010 · Q124 · Science & Technology › Biology · Save

From the point of view of evolution of living organisms, which one of the following is the correct sequence of evolution ?

(a) Otter – Tortoise – Shark
(b) Shark – Tortoise – Otter
(c) Tortoise – Shark – Otter
(d) Shark – Otter – Tortoise
Show answer
Answer: (b) Shark – Tortoise – Otter
UPSC 2010 · Q125 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

Consider the following statements:

  1. Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV/AIDS
  2. Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer

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
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
UPSC 2010 · Q126 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

Excessive release of the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) into the air may produce a condition in which oxygen supply in the human body decreases. What causes this condition ?

(a) When inhaled into the human body, CO is converted into CO₂
(b) The inhaled CO has much higher affinity for haemoglobin as compared to oxygen
(c) The inhaled CO destroys the chemical structure of haemoglobin
(d) The inhaled CO adversely affects the respiratory centre in the brain
Show answer
Answer: (b) The inhaled CO has much higher affinity for haemoglobin as compared to oxygen
UPSC 2010 · Q127 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

Consider the following statements:

  1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.
  2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu.
  3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
UPSC 2010 · Q128 · Science & Technology › Health & Diseases · Save

With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statements is not correct ?

(a) The chances of transmission from female to male are twice as likely as from male to female
(b) The chances of transmission are more if a person suffers from other sexually transmitted infections
(c) An infected mother can transmit the infection to her baby during pregnancy, at childbirth and by breast feeding
(d) The risk of contracting infection from transfusion of infected blood is much higher than an exposure to contaminated needle
Show answer
Answer: (a) The chances of transmission from female to male are twice as likely as from male to female