Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon- August 31

Malaria and Kala Azar are disease caused by Protozoans

Kala-Azar or Visceral leishmaniasis– This disease is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria).The parasite migrates to the internal organs such as the liver, spleen (hence “visceral”), and bone marrow, and, if left untreated, will almost always result in the death of the host. Signs and symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and substantial swelling of the liver and spleen.

Malaria: Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death.

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal condition associated with intellectual and learning disabilities.

Causes: Persons with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes as compared to 46 in majority of people.

Impacts: This one Extra chromosome causes its own impact and slows down learning process. It impacts neurological functioning causing impairment of intellectual functions e.g. analytical thinking, complex abstractions and judgement etc.

Treatment: Good schooling, loving family, learning and work opportunities make them grow up to be responsible, loving and cheerful persons. Their emotions and needs are like any other person of the same age. Accepting and respecting family/community is a big support to their growth and development.

All statements are correct:

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a payment system launched by National Payments Corporation of India. Using UPI, customer can pay directly from a bank account to different merchants, both online and offline, without the hassle of typing credit card details, IFSC code, or net banking/wallet passwords.

NIDHI (National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations), an umbrella program is pioneered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.

Objectives

• To take forward student innovations in IEDC / NewGen IEDC programme to commercialization stage.
• To promote student startups.
• To accelerate the journey of idea to prototype by providing initial funding assistance

The program would target to facilitate and enable minimum 100 innovators annually across the country in translating their ideas into prototype through funding support to maximum 10 PRAYAS Centres (PC) in the country. It aims to support innovators to build prototypes of their ideas by providing a grant up to Rs.10 lakhs and an access to Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab). PRAYAS was launched on 2nd September, 2016.

Statement A is incorrect: Pinaka is an indigenously developed multi-barrel rocket launcher system.

Statement B is Correct:  Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system is an indigenous weapon system designed and developed by DRDO and produced in collaboration with L&T and Tata Power SED in India only.

• Coal fired thermal power plants are one of the main contributors for atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gases. Emissions that come from these plants could be categorized into three different categories:
  • Gaseous emissions Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide which lead to global warming and acid rain.
  • Particulate emissions – this fine dust that is emanated from the stacks of power plants is a health hazard.
  • Trace elements like Mercury, Cadmium and Lead which are also health hazards.
• These emissions are formed due to the Combustion process when coal is burned to produce heat. Some are avoidable, some can be controlled or reduced, some cannot be avoided.

Except for Carbon Dioxide all other emissions can be either controlled or captured with available technology at a reasonable cost.

Statement 4 is Incorrect:  Ethylene is an organic compound and gaseous substance, which is produced from amino acid. It is present in large amount and is mainly produced by plants that are under stress.

• Ethylene helps in stimulating fruit ripening and determining the sex of a flower.
• Ethylene is involved in the production of female flowers in a male plant.
• Ethylene promotes Apo-geotropism in roots.
• Ethylene helps in the root initiation for plants.
• Ethylene increases the speed of senescence.