Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon- September 14

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) was officially launched at World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos after it received $460-million to develop vaccines against 3 emerging highly-contagious and fatal diseases. These three diseases are Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-coronavirus, Lassa fever, and Nipah virus.  CEPI will use this fund to contain outbreaks these 3 diseases before they become global health emergencies.

Statement 1 and 3 is Correct:

An atomic clock keeps time better than any other clock. It is an extremely accurate type of clock regulated by the vibrations of an atomic or molecular system.They even keep time better than the rotation of the Earth and the movement of the stars.

Without the atomic clock, GPS navigationwould be impossible, the Internet would not synchronise, and the position of the planets would not be known with enough accuracy for space probes and landers to be launched and monitored.

Statement 2 is Incorrect:

An atomic clock is not radioactive,it doesn’t rely on atomic decay. Rather, an atomic clock has an oscillating mass and a spring, just like ordinary clocks.

The big difference between a standard clock in your home and an atomic clock is that the oscillation in an atomic clock is between the nucleus of an atom and the surrounding electrons. This oscillation is not exactly a parallel to the balance wheel and hairspring of a clockwork watch, but the fact is that both use oscillations to keep track of passing time. The oscillation frequencies within the atom are determined by the mass of the nucleus and the gravity and electrostatic “spring” between the positive charge on the nucleus and the electron cloud surrounding it.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences inaugurated the Ocean Forecasting System for Indian Ocean countries Comoros, Madagascar, and Mozambique. It was unveiled at the third Ministerial Meeting of Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard EarlyWarning System for Asia and Africa (RIMES) held at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The Ocean Forecast System will offer, high wave alerts, port warnings, forecast, oil spill advisory services along the ship routes in addition to tsunami and storm surge warnings and help in search and rescue operations. These ocean services are aimed towards safety at the sea. The ocean forecast and early warming information on winds, high wave, currents, tides, sub-surface ocean conditions will cater to users like coastal population, fishermen, tourism sector, coastal defence officials, port authorities, marine police, research institutions and offshore industries of these countries.

Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria. There are lots of different species of lactobacillus. These are “friendly” bacteria that normally live in our digestive, urinary, and genital systems without causing disease. Lactobacillus is also in some fermented foods like yogurt and in dietary supplements.

Lactobacillus is used for treating and preventing diarrhea, including infectious types such as rotaviraldiarrhea in children and traveler’sdiarrhea. It is also used to prevent and treat diarrhea associated with using antibiotics.

Statement 1, 2 and 3 is correct:

Statement 4 is Incorrect:

Mercury is the planet that is closest to the sun and therefore gets more direct heat, but even it isn’t the hottest.  Venus is the second planet from the sun and it is the hottest planet in the solar system.

So what makes Venus hotter than Mercury?

Mercury doesn’t have any atmosphere, and atmosphere can hold and trap heat. Any heat that Mercury receives from the sun is quickly lost back into space. Venus is very close to the actual size of earth and viewing it has been difficult due to a very thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide. This thick atmosphere makes the surface of Venus hotter because the heat doesn’t escape back into space.  The atmosphere on Venus is so powerful that the pressure would be ninety-two times more than what you would experience standing on a beach at sea level.

• Measles is caused by a Virus and spreads through Air.
• Cholera and typhoid are caused by Bacteria and spread through Water. Cholera also spreads through Food.
• Hepatitis B is caused by a Virus and spreads through Water.
• Tuberculosis caused by Bacteria is spread through Air. Patient should be kept in complete isolation in such cases.
• Typhoid transmits through contaminated water and food.

All are correctly matched.