Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon – April 5, 2018

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH has undertaken development of a coded drug AYUSH QOL-2C for improving the quality of life in cancer patients.

The clinical studies were conducted at St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru and AIIMS, New Delhi in breast cancer patients and at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jaipur in lung cancer patients. It is not possible to compare the expenditure on research on cancer in Ayurveda viz-à-viz Allopathy as it depends upon variables like methodology, parameters etc. adopted for research.

Statement 1 is correct. The Budapest Convention provides for the criminalisation of conduct, ranging from illegal access, data and systems interference to computer-related fraud and child pornography, procedural law tools to make investigation of cybercrime and securing of e-evidence in relation to any crime more effective, and international police and judicial cooperation on cybercrime and e-evidence.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Currently, India is not a member of this convention. The Convention has 56 members, including the US and the UK.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched a next-generation satellite called the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) into space. JPSS-1 is a joint venture between NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It was launched into orbit atop United Launch Alliance-built Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It will be renamed NOAA-20 when it reaches its final orbit.

Statement 2 is correct. JPSS-1 is highly advanced polar-orbiting satellite that will orbit Earth 14 times each day from one pole to other at 824 kms above planet, providing scientists full global coverage twice a day. JPSS-1 carries a suite of five advanced instruments designed to take global measurements of atmospheric, land and sea conditions from sea surface temperatures, volcanic ash, hurricane intensity and many more.

China launched world’s first fully electric cargo ship in Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong province (November, 2017). It is the first ship in the world to use lithium ion battery. The ship will be mainly used to run in inland section of Pearl River for carrying coal for generation of electric power.

Both the statements are correct. The food material taken in during the process of nutrition is used in cells to provide energy for various life processes. Diverse organisms do this in different ways – some use oxygen to break-down glucose completely into carbon dioxide and water, some use other pathways that do not involve oxygen.

In all cases, the first step is the breakdown of glucose, a six-carbon molecule, into a three-carbon molecule called pyruvate. This process takes place in the cytoplasm. Further, the pyruvate may be converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide. This process takes place in yeast during fermentation. Since this process takes place in the absence of air (oxygen), it is called anaerobic respiration.

Animals have evolved different organs for the uptake of oxygen from the environment and for getting rid of the carbon dioxide produced. Terrestrial animals can breathe the oxygen in the atmosphere, but animals that live in water need to use the oxygen dissolved in water. Since the amount of dissolved oxygen is fairly low compared to the amount of oxygen in the air, the rate of breathing in aquatic organisms is much faster than that seen in terrestrial organisms.

All are example of chemical change.

Chemical changes involve chemical reactions and the creation of new products. Typically, a chemical change is irreversible.

In contrast, physical changes do not form new products and are reversible. Examples of physical change include: change of state, creation or separation of a mixture, physical deformation such as cutting, change in color by addition of dye.

Following are the few examples of chemical change:

Rusting of iron

Combustion (burning) of wood

Metabolism of food in the body

Mixing an acid and a base, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Cooking an egg

Digesting sugar with the amylase in saliva

Mixing baking soda and vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas

Baking a cake

Electroplating a metal

Using a chemical battery

Explosion of fireworks

Rotting of bananas

Grilling a hamburger

Souring of Milk

Statement 1 and 3 are incorrect.

Statement 2 is correct. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements. Examples of antioxidants include

Beta-carotene

Lutein

Lycopene

Selenium

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of antioxidants. There is good evidence that eating a diet with lots of vegetables and fruits is healthy and lowers risks of certain diseases. But it isn’t clear whether this is because of the antioxidants, something else in the foods, or other factors.

High-dose supplements of antioxidants may be linked to health risks in some cases. For example, high doses of beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. High doses of vitamin E may increase risks of prostate cancer and one type of stroke. Antioxidant supplements may also interact with some medicines. To minimize risk, tell you of your health care providers about any antioxidants you use.