Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

This section includes 7 InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your Current Affairs knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

Name the first stable product of Calvin cycle. 

Answer»

PGA – Phosphoglyceric Acid. 

2.

Which compound acts as CO2 acceptor in Calvin cycle ?

Answer»

Ribulose-1-5-biphosphate, a 5-carbon compound is the acceptor of CO2 in Calvin cycle.

3.

What is Photophosphorylation? Given the types of Photophosphorylation.

Answer»

Photophosphorylation : The process of formation of high-energy chemicals (ATP and NADPH). 

Cyclic photophosphorylation : Two photosystems work in series − First PSII and then PSI. These two photosystems are connected through an electron transport chain (Z. Scheme). Both ATP and NADPH + H+ are synthesised by this process. PSI and PSII are found in lamellae of grana, hence this process is carried here.

Non-cyclic photophosphorylation : Only PSI works, the electron circulates within the photosystem. It happens in the stroma lamellae (possible location) because in this region PSII and NADP rectase enzyme are absent. Hence only ATP molecules are synthesised. 

4.

Describe the C4 Cycle or Hatch & Slack Pathway.

Answer»
  • Discovered by Hatch & Slack, so called as Hatch &Slack Pathway. 
  • First stable product is 4- carbon compound (Oxaloacetic Acid) hence called C4-cycle and plants having this cycle are called as C4 plants. 
  • C4 plants have special kind of leaf anatomy called as “Kranz anatomy”.
  • (Presence of two types of photosynthetic cells, i.e. mesophyll cells and bundle sheaths cells). 
  • In C4 plants (Maize, sugar cane etc.) both C3 cycle (In bundle sheath cell chloroplasts) & C4 cycle (In mesophyll cell chloroplasts) occurs. 

C4 plants have special type of leaf anatomy, they tolerate higher temperatures. In this pathway, oxaloacetic acid (OAA) is the first stable product formed. It is 4 carbon atoms compound, hence called C4 pathway (Hatch and Slack Cycle). 

The leaf has two types of cells : mesophyll cells and Bundle sheath cells (Kranz anatomy). Initially CO2 is taken up by phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP) in mesophyll cells and changed to oxaloacetic acid (OAA) in the presence of PEP carboxylase. Oxaloacetate is reduced to maltate/asparate that reach into bundle sheath cells.

5.

Even though a very few cells In a C4 plant carry out the biosynthetic – Calvin pathway, yet they are highly productive. Can you discuss why?

Answer»

C4 plants chemically fix carbon dioxide in the cells of the mesophyll by adding it to the three-carbon molecule phosphoenolpyruvate, a reaction catalyzed by an enzyme called PEP carboxylase and which creates the four-carbon organic acid, oxaloacetic acid. Oxaloacetic acid or malate synthesized by this process is then translocated to specialized bundle sheath cells where the enzyme, rubisco and other Calvin cycle enzymes are located and where CO2 released by decarboxylation of the fourcarbon acids is fixed by rubisco activity to the three-carbon sugar 3 – phosphoglyceric acids.

6.

By looking at which internal structure of a plant can you tell whether a plant is C3 or C4? Explain.

Answer»

The particularly large cells around the vascular bundles of the C4 pathway plants are called bundle sheath cells, and the leaves which have such anatomy are said to have ‘Kranz1 anatomy. ‘Kranz’ means ‘wreath’ and is a reflection of the arrangement of cells. The bundle sheath cells may form several layers around the vascular bundles, they are characterized by having a large number of chloroplasts, thick walls impervious to gaseous exchange and no intercellular spaces.

7.

Explain the Calvin Cycle or C3 Cycle.

Answer»

Discovered by Melvin Calvin, hence called calvin cycle. 

First stable product is 3-carbon compound hence called C3 cycle and plants having this pathway of CO2 fixation are called as C3 plants.

It occurs in following three steps

a. Carboxylation, in which CO2 combines with primary acceptor called RUBP (ribulose 1,5 bisphosphate) in the presence of enzyme RUBISCO (Ribulose, 1.5 bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase) to produce two molecules of PGA (Phosphoglyceric acid). 

b. Reduction, in which 2 molecules of PGA get reduced to 2 molecules of PGAL (Phosphoglyceraldehyde, triose sugar) using 2ATP and 2 NADPH. 

c. Regeneration, in which again primary acceptor (RUBP) is synthesized from PGAL & ATP.

8.

Even though a very few cells in a C4 plant carry out the biosynthetic – Calvin pathway, yet they are highly productive. Can you discuss why?

Answer»

C4 plants avoid photorespiration and thus avoid the wastage of ATP. Thus there is more efficient utilization of the resources. This helps a C4 plant to produce more food compared to a C3 plant.

9.

What are antennae in photosystem ?

Answer»

Antennae refers to all the pigments of the photosystem except the pigment molecule (Chl’a’) that forms the reaction centre.

10.

Explain Van Niel experiment on purple and green sulphur bacteria.

Answer»

Van Niel on his studies with purple and green sulphur bacteria doemonstrated that photosynthesis is a light dependent reaction in which hydrogen from an oxidisable compound reduces CO2 to form sugar. 

2H2A + CO2 \(\overset{light}{\rightarrow}\) 2A + CH2

In Green plants, HO is the hydrogen donor and is oxidised to O2 In green sulphur bacteria, when H2O instead of HO was used as hydrogen donor no O2 was evolved. He inferred that O2 evolved by green plants come from H2O but not from CO2.

11.

Differentiate between inbreeding and heterosis. What is inbreeding depression?

Answer»
InbreedingHeterosis
The cross between two individuals of a species that are related by descent is called inbreeding.The cross between two unrelated individuals or species or genus may develop an improved hybrid called heterosis.

The loss of vigour/fertility and productivity due to continuous inbreeding especially close inbreeding is called inbreeding depression.

12.

Although sexual reproduction is a long drawn, energy-intensive complex form of reproduction, many groups of organism in Kingdom Animalia and Plantae prefer this mode of reproduction. Give at least three reasons for this.

Answer»

(a) Sexual reproduction brings about variation in the offspring. 

(b) Since gamete formation is preceded by meiosis, genetic recombination occurring during crossing over (meiosis-I), leads to a great deal of variation in the DNA of gametes. 

(c) The organism has better chance of survival in a changing environment.

13.

Where does calvin cycle takes place in (i) a C3 plant and (ii) a C4 plant respectively.

Answer»

(i) In a C3 plant, it takes place in the mesophyll cells. 

(ii) In a Cplant, calvin cycle takes place in the bundle sheath cells.

14.

Give comparison between the following:(a) C3 and C4 pathways(b) Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation(c) Anatomy of leaf in C3 and C4 plants

Answer»

(a) The first carbon fixation product is PGA (3-carbon atom) in C3 pathway, while it is oxaloacetic acid (4-carbon atom) in C4 pathway. The C4 pathway is more efficient than the C3 pathway; in terms of making glucose.

(b) Both the photosystems are involved in non-cyclic photophosphorylation, while only PS I is functional in cyclic photophosphorylation. Non-cyclic photophosphorylation happens in the lamella of grana, while cyclic photophosphorylation occurs in the lamella of stroma. Both ATP and NADPH+H+ are synthesized in non-cyclic photophosphorylation, while only ATP is synthesized in cyclic photophosphorylation.

(c) Bundle sheath is present in C4 leaves, while it is absent in C3 leaves. The cells of C4 leaves have a large number of chloroplasts, thick walls and no intercellular spaces.

15.

What are renal calculi?

Answer»

Stone or insoluble mass of crystallised salts such as oxalates are called as renal calculi.

16.

Distinguish between the Ureter and Urethra.

Answer»
No.UreterUrethra
i.Ureters are two duct-like structures arising from the hilum of the kidney.Urethra is a single tube-like structure arising from the urinary bladder.
ii.Ureter carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.Urethra carries urine from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body.
iii.Ureters are paired structures.Urethra is unpaired structure.

17.

Where does selective reabsorption of glomerular filtrate take place?

Answer»

Selective reabsorption of glomerular filtrate takes place in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT).

18.

Which of the following statements is CORRECT with reference to nephron?(A) ADH hormone increases permeability of PCT cells to reabsorb water. (B) Efferent arteriole forms peritubular network all around tubule.(C) Podocytes occur in ascending limb of loop of Henle. (D) Descending limb of Henle’s loop is impenneable to water.

Answer»

The correct answer is (B) Efferent arteriole forms peritubular network all around tubule.

19.

When do farmers prefer using apomictic seeds?

Answer»

To maintain hybrid characters (year after year in a desired plant), to avoid buying hybrid seeds every year (expensive seeds).

Detailed Answer

Farmers prefer apomictic seeds, when the hybrids are made into apomicts. It is because, in apomictic seeds, there is no segregation of characters in the hybrid progeny. Therefore, the farmers can keep on using the hybrid seeds to raise new crop year after year.

20.

Identify A,D,E and F in the diagram of an antibody molecule given below:

Answer»

A- antigen binding site,

B- Variable region

c- constant region

D- light chain,

E- heavy chain (constant region),

F- disulphide bond

21.

Why is an antibody represented as H2L2?

Answer»

There are four polypeptide chains in each antibody molecule. Out of these four chains two are smaller and called light chains and the other two chains are longer and called heavy chains. It is because of this antibody molecule is represented as H2L2.

22.

Identify A, D, E and F in the diagram of an antibody molecule given below:

Answer»

A—Antigen binding site 

D—Light chain 

E—Heavy chain 

F—Disulfide bridge.

23.

What does the term ‘memory’ of the Immune system mean?

Answer»

When body encounters a pathogen for the first time produce a response called 1° response. 1° response is of low intensity. When body encounters the same pathogen subsequently then body elicits 2° response. 2° response is highly intensified. This is due to the fact that our body have memory of the first encounter.

24.

Why is an antibody represented as ‘H2L2’?

Answer»

Each antibody molecule has four polypeptide chains. The two smaller chains are called light chains while the two longer chains are called heavy chains. Therefore an antibody is represented as H2L2.

25.

When you go for a trek/trip to any high altitude places, you are advised to take it easy and rest for the first two days. Comment, giving reasons. OR Why do tribes who live in high altitude of Himalayas experience discomfort in respiration? How do they get adapted to survive in such a situation?

Answer»

At high altitudes it is advised to take easy due to low oxygen availability. This may also cause altitude sickness. It is also advised to take rest because body compensates the low oxygen availability during rest by increasing RBC production and decreasing the binding capacity of haemoglobin, in turn increasing the breathing rate.

26.

When you go for a trip to aniy high altitude places you are advised to take it easy and rest for first two days. Comment giving reasons.

Answer»

At high attitudes the availability of oxygen is low. Therefore, it is advised to take it easy and take rest during the initial period of high attitude trip because during this period of early rest the body compensates for the low O2 availability by increasing RBC production and increasing the breathing rate.

27.

Given below are some human organs. Identify one primary and one secondary lymphoid organ: Liver, Thymus, Stomach, Thyroid, Tonsils.

Answer»

Primary lymphoid organ is thymus. Secondary lymphoid organ is tonsils.

28.

Why is an antibody molecule represented as H2 L2 ?

Answer»

Each antibody molecule is made of the two heavy chains (H2) and two light chains (L2 ), hence represented as H2 L2

29.

In the figure, structure of an antibody molecule is shown. Name the parts A, B and C. Show A, B and C in the diagram.

Answer»

A:—Constant region of heavy chain,

B—Constant region of light chain,

C—Variable region of light and heavy chain

30.

Why is it that during changing weather, one is advised to avoid closed, crowded and air-conditioned places like cinema halls etc.?

Answer»

During changing weather, one is advised to avoid closed, crowded and air- conditioned placed like cinema halls, etc., because during this period the infectious agents are more humerous and prevalent to which we are more vulnerable.

31.

Lymph nodes are secondary lymphoid organs. Explain the role of lymph nodes in our immune response.

Answer»

Lymph nodes are small solid structures located at different points along the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes trap the microorganisms or other antigens, which happen to get into the lymph and tissue fluid. Antigens trapped in the lymph nodes are responsible for the activation of lymphocytes present there and cause the immune response.

32.

A person with sickle cell anemia isa. more prone to malariab. more prone to typhoidc. less prone to malariad. less prone to typhoid

Answer» c. less prone to malaria
33.

The harmful allele of sickle cell anemia has not been eliminated from human population. Such afflicted people derive some other benefits. Discuss.

Answer»

The harmful alleles get eliminated from population over a period of time, yet sickle cell anaemia is persisting in human population because SCA is a harmful condition which is also a potential saviour from malaria.

Those with the benign sickle trait possess a resistance to malarial infection. The pathogen that causes the disease spends part of its cycle in the red blood cells and triggers an abnormal drop in oxygen levels in the cell. In carriers, this drop is sufficient to trigger the full sickle-cell reaction, which leads to infected cells being rapidly removed from circulation and strongly limiting the infection’s progress. These individuals have a great resistance to infection and have a greater chance of surviving outbreaks. This resistance to infection is the main reason the SCA allele and SCA disease still exist. It is found in greatest frequency in populations where malaria was and is still often a serious problem.

34.

It is said, that the harmful alleles get eliminated from population over a period of time, yet sickle cell anaemia

Answer»

The harmful alleles get eliminated from population over a period of time, yet sickle cell anaemia is persisting in human population because SCA is a harmful condition which is also a potential saviour from malaria.

Those with the benign sickle trait possess a resistance to malarial infection. The pathogen that causes the disease spends part of its cycle in the red blood cells and triggers an abnormal drop in oxygen levels in the cell. In carriers, this drop is sufficient to trigger the full sickle-cell reaction, which leads to infected cells being rapidly removed from circulation and strongly limiting the infection’s progress. These individuals have a great resistance to infection and have a greater chance of surviving outbreaks. This resistance to infection is the main reason the SCA allele and SCA disease still exist. It is found in greatest frequency in populations where malaria was and often still is a serious problem.

35.

It is said, that the harmful alleles get eliminated from population over a period of time, yet sickle cell anaemia is persisting in human population. Why?

Answer»

The harmful alleles get eliminated from population over a period of time, yet sickle cell anaemia is persisting in human population because SCA is a harmful condition which is also a potential saviour from malaria.

Those with the benign sickle trait possess a resistance to malarial infection. The pathogen that causes the disease spends part of its cycle in the red blood cells and triggers an abnormal drop in oxygen levels in the cell. In carriers, this drop is sufficient to trigger the full sickle-cell reaction, which leads to infected cells being rapidly removed from circulation and strongly limiting the infection’s progress. These individuals have a great resistance to infection and have a greater chance of surviving outbreaks. This resistance to infection is the main reason the SCA allele and SCA disease still exist. It is found in greatest frequency in populations where malaria was and often still is a serious problem.

36.

Spread of cancerous cells to distant sites is termed as __________ (a) Metastasis (b) Oncogenes (c) Proto-oncogenes (d) Malignant neoplasm

Answer»

(a) Metastasis

37.

Give reason 1. Flavour in Yogurt 2. Large holes in Swiss Cheese

Answer»

1. The flavour in yogurt is due to acetaldehyde formation. 

2. Large holes in Swiss Cheese is due to more CO2 production bypropionibacterium shermanii.

38.

Name few home-made micorbial products.

Answer»

Yogurt, Paneer, Curd, Idli batter, Bread dough.

39.

Differentiate between Prebiotics and Probiotics.

Answer»

1. Prebiotics: Prebiotics are compounds in food (fibers) that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms. 

2. Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits when consumed,generally by improving or restoring the gut flora.

40.

Given below are the food products obtained by microbial action. Name the respective organism responsible for their production, 1. Swiss Cheese 2. Bread dough

Answer»

1. Swiss Cheese – Propionibacterium shermanii 

2. Bread dough – Saccharomyces cerevisiae

41.

Name few industrial microbial products.

Answer»

Beverages, antibiotics, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, bio fuels, single cell protein, enzymes, steroids, vaccines, pharmaceutical drugs.

42.

Under which condition does a microbe gains resistance against antibiotic?

Answer»

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drug designed to kill or inhibit their growth. It is one of the most acute threat to public health. Antibiotic resistance is accelerated by the misuse and over use of antibiotics, as well as poor infection prevention control. Antibiotics should be used only when prescribed by a certified health professional. When the bacteria become resistant, antibiotics cannot fight against them and the bacteria multiply. Narrow spectrum antibiotics are preferred over broad spectrum antibiotics. They effectively and accurately target specific pathogenic organisms and are less likely to cause resistance.

43.

Compare Broad spectrum antibiotics with narrow spectrum antibiotics.

Answer»

Broad-spectrum antibiotics act against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria. Narrowspectrum antibiotics are active against a selected group of bacterial types.

44.

Tetracycline is a ______ (i) bactericidal antibiotic (ii) bacteriastatic antibiotic (iii) narrow spectrum antibiotic (iv) Broad spectrum antibiotic(a) i and iii (b) ii and iii (c) i and iv (d) ii and iv

Answer»

Correct Answer is: (d) ii and iv

45.

Name the scientists who were awarded Nobel Prize in 1945 for discovering the penicillin drug & its role as a antibiotic.

Answer»

1. Alexander Fleming 

2. Earnest Chain 

3. Howard Florey

46.

Name any four antibiotics.

Answer»

Erythromycin, Chloromycetin, Neomycin, Kenamycin.

47.

Assertion (A): Streptomycin is an antibiotic. Reason (R): Antibiotic are microbial chemicals inhibits the growth of pathogenic microbe.(a) A is right R is wrong. (b) R explains A. (c) A and R are wrong. (d) A and R are right. R cannot explain A.

Answer»

(b) R explains A

48.

Both Tetracycline and Streptomycin are broad spectrum antibiotics yet functionally discriminates. How?

Answer»

Though Tetracycline & Streptomycin are broad spectrum antibiotics, Tetracycline acts as a bacteriostatic antibiotic whereas streptomycin acts as bactericidal antibiotic against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

49.

What will happen in this experiment? A) Cork cap and test tube moves in the same direction. B) Cork cap and test tube moves in the opposite direction. C) Tension in string decreases. D) The cork cap drops in the test tube.

Answer»

B) Cork cap and test tube moves in the opposite direction.

50.

Poliomyelitis virus enters the body through ……(a) skin (b) mouth and nose (c) ears (d) eye

Answer»

Poliomyelitis virus enters the body through mouth and nose.