Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Earthworm.

Key Points

• Earthworm is not an animal of Phylum Chordate.
• Phylum Chordate includes animals that have a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, an endostyle, and a post-anal tail at some point in their life cycle.
• Examples of Chordates include Snake, Frog, and Rabbit.
• Earthworms belong to the Phylum Annelida, which is characterized by segmented bodies.

Additional Information

• Phylum Annelida includes segmented worms like earthworms, leeches, and polychaetes.
• The main features of annelids are their segmented bodies and the presence of setae or bristles.
• Chordates are more complex and have a higher level of organization compared to annelids.

The correct answer is Ashoka.

Important Points The inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC testifies that the Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal.

• Lumbini contains important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from as early as the 3^rd century BC.
• Lumbini is located in the Kapilavastu district of Nepal. Buddha was born in Lumbini.

Additional Information

• Ashoka renounced war and converted to Buddhism. He promoted the concept of dhamma (pious social conduct).
• Bodhgaya in Bihar is known for the place of enlightenment of Buddha.
• Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath.
• Buddha achieved nirvana in Kushinagar of Uttar Pradesh
• Mahayana Buddhism:
• After the death of Buddha, a group evolved who believed that compassion for all humanity was an important part of the path, and that teaching is fully available to all.
• Those who followed the newly expanded ideals called themselves Mahayana meaning the big raft.
• In Mahayana Buddhism, all practicing Buddhists are apprentice Bodhisattvas.
• In Mahayana countries, images of the Buddha are set up in the temples and homes as an object of worship.
• Hinayana Buddhism:
• From about 100 years after the death of the Buddha, there had been a movement towards embracing the style of Buddhism.
• The early monks concentrated on personal enlightenment, seeking spiritual answers for themselves, and teaching others the way of enlightenment.
• But the information was severely limited to the lay community as it was assumed only minks could achieve Buddhahood.
• This section came to be known as Hinayana or also known as Theravada.
• Theravada means the way of elders.
• Milindapanha:
• The Milindapanha, or "Milinda's Questions," is an important early Buddhist text that usually is not included in the Pali Canon.
• Even so, the Milindapanha is cherished because it addresses many of Buddhism's most difficult doctrines with wit and clarity.
• The Milindapanha presents a dialogue between King Menander I (Milinda in Pali) and an enlightened Buddhist monk named Nagasena.
• Menander- I was an Indo-Greek king thought to have ruled from about 160 to 130 BCE.
• He was a king of Bactria, an ancient kingdom that took in what is now Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, plus a small part of Pakistan.

Explanation:

• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) mainly consists of propane and butane.
• It is odorless that's why Ethyl Mercaptan is added to it so there may be a smell if LPG leaks from its storage container.

The correct answer is 40^th.

In News

• The 40^th edition of the Patna Book Fair was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha on December 6, 2024, at Gandhi Maidan, Patna.

Key Points

• The Patna Book Fair is a prominent annual event organized to promote literacy, culture, and public awareness.
• The 40^th edition features the theme "Tree, Water, Life and Protection of Environment."
• The central attraction is the Bihar Land and Revenue Department's section, which showcased printed maps and figures in Kaithi Lipi to help citizens understand the ongoing land survey process.
• The book fair also highlighted various government initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat and the provision of state land maps.

Additional Information

• Significance of the Book Fair:
• The Patna Book Fair serves as a platform to promote literacy and raise awareness about critical socio-economic and environmental issues.
• It attracts thousands of visitors annually and showcases the work of various government departments and publishers.
• Theme of the 40^th Edition:
• "Tree, Water, Life and Protection of Environment" emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable environmental practices.
• The theme reflects global concerns such as rising temperatures and climate change.
• Land and Revenue Department’s Contribution:
• The department highlighted its ongoing comprehensive land survey, aimed at modernizing records, resolving disputes, and ensuring effective land management.
• Citizens could obtain printed land maps and receive assistance with land-related queries at the fair.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered the first living cell in 1674. Algae Spirogyra was the first living cell observed under a microscope by him. Robert Hooke observed cells of cork under the microscope which are dead cells.

The correct answer is Chloroplast

Key Points

• Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells.
• They contain the pigment chlorophyll, which captures light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
• Photosynthesis occurs in the thylakoid membranes within the chloroplasts.
• Chloroplasts are unique to plant cells and some algae, distinguishing them from animal cells.

Additional Information

• Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration.
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.
• Peroxisomes play a role in lipid metabolism and the detoxification of harmful substances.
• Plant cells also have a cell wall and a large central vacuole, which are not found in animal cells.

The correct answer is cytosol.

Key Points

• Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills the interior of a cell and is surrounded by the plasma membrane. It consists of the cytosol, organelles, and various inclusions.
• The cytosol is specifically the aqueous ground substance or the liquid component of the cytoplasm in which the organelles are suspended. Hence, the correct answer is cytosol.
• It is a complex mixture of substances dissolved in water, which typically makes up about 70% to 90% of its total volume.
• The cytosol contains dissolved ions (like potassium, sodium, and magnesium), small molecules (such as glucose, amino acids, and nucleotides), and large water-soluble molecules like proteins and enzymes.
• It serves as the site for several vital metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, protein synthesis (translation), and cell division (cytokinesis).
• The cytosol also plays a crucial role in providing structural support to the cell by housing the cytoskeleton, which maintains cell shape and enables intracellular transport.

Additional Information

• Nucleoplasm:
• This is the type of protoplasm found specifically within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.
• It is enclosed by the nuclear envelope and contains the nucleolus and chromatin (DNA and proteins).
• Its primary function is to serve as a suspension medium for the genetic material and to maintain the nuclear shape.
• Chromoplasm:
• Chromoplasm refers to the peripheral, pigmented portion of the cytoplasm found in certain prokaryotic cells, particularly cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
• It contains photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, and phycoerythrin organized into thylakoids.
• It is distinct from the centroplasm, which is the colorless inner region containing the DNA.
• Lysosomal Fluid:
• This is the specialized fluid contained within lysosomes, which are membrane-bound vesicles used for cellular digestion.
• The fluid is highly acidic, typically maintaining a pH of 4.5 to 5.0, which is optimal for the activity of hydrolytic enzymes (acid hydrolases).
• These enzymes break down macromolecules, damaged organelles, and foreign particles like bacteria.
• Protoplasm:
• The term protoplasm is a general term used to describe the entire living matter of a cell, comprising both the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
• It was first coined by J.E. Purkinje in 1839 to denote the substance of the animal embryo.

The Correct Answer is Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.

In News

• Italian duo Errani and Paolini win French Open women's doubles final.

Key Points

• Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, both from Italy, won the 2024 French Open women’s doubles title.
• They defeated Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.
• This is their first doubles title together at Roland-Garros.
• Errani now has two French Open doubles titles and six Grand Slam doubles titles overall.
• Errani also won the mixed doubles title with Andrea Vavassori.
• Paolini is a strong singles player and was runner-up in 2024 French Open singles final, where she lost to Iga Swiatek.

The correct answer is cyanocobalamin

Key Points

• Vitamin B12 is also known as cyanocobalamin.
• It is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of the nervous system.
• Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy.
• A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to anemia and neurological issues.

Additional Information

• Biotin is also known as Vitamin B7 and is important for skin, hair, and metabolic health.
• Pyridoxine, or Vitamin B6, is crucial for amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis.
• Pantothenic acid is also known as Vitamin B5 and is essential for fatty acid synthesis and energy production.
• Vitamin B12 supplements are often recommended for vegetarians and older adults who may have difficulty absorbing the vitamin from food.

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. Cell sap.

• Mature plant cells contain a large central vacuole which is formed by fusion of many small vacuoles.
• The solution inside the large central vacuole is called cell sap.
• Cell sap is the plant cell's repository of inorganic ions.
• Stroma is the fluid present outside the thylakoids in plant cells.
• Grana are stacks of thlakoids.
• Tonoplast is the membrane surrounding the large central vacuole of a plant cell.