Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Science and Technology (06 October 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Science and Technology

1. Consider the following statements:

1. The place where Chandrayaan-3's lander 'Vikram' made a soft landing has been named 'Shiv Shakti Point'.
2. The place where Chandrayaan-2's lander crashed while landing on the lunar surface has been named 'Tiranga Point'.
3. Chandrayaan-3's lander landed on the surface of the Moon on August 23. This day will be celebrated as 'National Space Day'.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The place where Chandrayaan-3's lander 'Vikram' made a soft landing has been named 'Shiv Shakti Point'. The place where the Chandrayaan-2 lander crashed while landing on the lunar surface in 2019 has been named 'Tiranga Point'. Chandrayaan-3's lander landed on the lunar surface on August 23. This day will be celebrated as 'National Space Day'. Hence, all the three statements are correct.

2. With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, consider the following statements:

1. Targeted drug delivery has become possible through nanotechnology.
2. Nanotechnology can make a major contribution in gene therapy.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Nanomedicine is helpful in increasing the efficacy of drug delivery and minimizing side effects. Nanomaterials are used in gene therapy to deliver genes to cells. Hence, both the statements are correct.

3. In which one of the following contexts is the word "qubit" mentioned?

(a) Cloud services
(b) Quantum computing
(c) Visible light communication technologies
(d) Wireless communication technologies

Answer: (B)

Explanation: In quantum computing, a qubit or quantum bit is a basic unit of quantum information. The quantum version of the classic binary bit is physically realized with two devices. A qubit is a one- or two-level quantum mechanical system, one of the simplest quantum systems that exhibit the properties of quantum mechanics.

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Ballistic missiles are jet propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flight, while cruise missiles are rocket propelled only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid fueled intercontinental ballistic missile.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Cruise missiles are propelled by jet thrust at subsonic speeds throughout their flight, while ballistic missiles are propelled by rocket thrust only in the initial (boost) phase of flight, after which they follow an arcing trajectory to the target. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Agni-V is an Indian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of more than 5,000 km. BrahMos is a universal long-range supersonic cruise missile system that can be launched from land, sea and air. BrahMos is jointly developed by India's DRDO and Russia's NPOM. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

5. 'Wolbachia method' is sometimes mentioned in the context of which one of the following?

(a) To control the spread of viral diseases caused by mosquitoes
(b) For making packing material from crop residue
(c) To produce biodegradable plastics
(d) To produce biochar by thermochemical conversion of biomass.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The 'Wolbachia method' is used to control the spread of viral diseases caused by mosquitoes. When Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, the bacteria compete with viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. This makes it harder for the virus to reproduce inside mosquitoes and mosquitoes are less likely to spread the virus from one person to another. This means that when Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry natural Wolbachia bacteria, transmission of viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever is reduced.