Miscellaneous is part of Biology. Below are notes on 4 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.
Animal Husbandry and Breeding Techniques
- Angora wool is obtained from Angora rabbit and Angora goat breeds.
- In a honeybee colony, worker bees are sterile females.
- Apiculture (मधुमक्खी-पालिन) is the practice of rearing honeybees for honey, beeswax, and other bee products.
- Sericulture (रेशमकीट-पालिन) is the rearing of silkworms for silk production.
- Pisciculture (मछलिी-पालिन) is the rearing of fish.
- Poultry farming (मुFर्गी-पालिन) involves raising domestic fowl (e.g., chickens, ducks) for meat and eggs.
Cryopreservation and Tissue/Organ Banking
- Cryopreservation: Process of preserving biological material (e.g., cells, tissues, organs, seeds, gametes) by cooling to very low temperatures.
- Common cryo-preservant: Liquid Nitrogen (LN2).
- Temperature maintained: -196°C (the boiling point of liquid nitrogen).
- Mechanism: Metabolic processes and cell division cease at these ultra-low temperatures, preventing degradation.
- Applications: Ex-situ conservation of genetic resources (seed banks, pollen banks, gene banks), tissue/organ banking for transplantation, storage of stem cells, sperm, ova, and embryos.
- Benefits: Long-term viability, genetic diversity preservation, availability for future use in research or therapy.
Important Biological Terms and Discoveries
- Autotrophs: Organisms that produce their own food.
- Bioluminescence (Blue Waves): A rare natural phenomenon caused by light emitted by certain marine organisms (e.g., dinoflagellates), not fluorescent corals.
- Food Irradiation:
- Utilizes ionizing radiation to improve food safety and extend shelf life.
- A "cold process," meaning it does not significantly increase food temperature.
- Commonly uses Cobalt-60 as a key element.
- Cannot destroy toxins or pesticides already present in foods before irradiation.
- Bacteria:
- Ubiquitous, found in nearly all environments, including on/in the human body.
- Are fully living organisms, not borderline between living and non-living.
- Visible with a compound microscope.
- Viruses:
- Obligate parasites; require living cells or tissues to reproduce.
- Viral infections are typically contagious.
- Positive Biotic Interactions: Examples include Colonization and Protocooperation. Competition is a negative interaction.
- High Density of Organisms: Tropical Rain Forests exhibit the highest biodiversity and density of organisms.
- Ultimate Source of Energy: Sunlight is the ultimate energy source for most living beings.
- Nest-building Snake: The King Cobra is unique among snakes for building a nest.
- MRI: Stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic tool.
- Street-performing Bear: Historically, the Sloth Bear was commonly used for street performances in some regions.
- Dog Unable to Bark: The Dingo (a wild dog species) is known for its inability to bark, instead producing howls.
- Longest/Largest Flower: Rafflesia is recognized as having the largest individual flower in the world.
- Toddy Fermentation: Saccharomyces (a genus of yeast) is the organism involved in the fermentation of toddy (palm wine).
- Canning Process Inventor: Nicolas Appert invented the process of canning.
- Browning of Cut Fruits/Vegetables: Caused by enzymatic action (specifically, oxidation reactions catalyzed by enzymes like polyphenol oxidase).
- Thermal Death Time (TDT):
- The time required to reduce the number of microorganisms by a factor of 10 (90%) at a specific temperature.
- Also known as "D" Value or Decimal Reduction Time.
- Biocatalysts: Proteins (as enzymes) and Nucleic acids (as ribozymes) can act as biocatalysts.
- Food Chain Example (Incorrect): A food chain like "Grass → Mouse → Hawk → Snake" is generally considered incorrect because hawks typically prey on mice, and snakes can prey on mice, but a snake preying on a hawk is an uncommon sequence in a typical food chain.
- Abiotic Components of Ecosystem: Non-living physical and chemical elements (e.g., sunlight, water, soil, temperature). Among given options such as living organisms (algae, trees, cactus), chlorophyll (a chemical pigment) is the non-organism entity.
Plant Pathology: Common diseases and management
- Argemone mexicana (Prickly Poppy) seeds are a common adulterant of mustard oil seeds.
- Consumption of mustard oil adulterated with Argemone oil (from Argemone mexicana seeds) can cause epidemic dropsy, a disease affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver.
Practice MCQs: Miscellaneous
Animal Husbandry and Breeding Techniques
Angora wool is obtained from a breed of
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2010
- Sheep
- Fox
- Rabbit or Goat
- Tibetan Deer
Show answer
Answer: C. Rabbit or Goat
Traditionally, "Angora wool" specifically refers to the soft fiber harvested from the Angora rabbit. However, the term "Angora" is also sometimes used to refer to the fiber obtained from the Angora goat, which is more commonly known as Mohair. Since the option C includes both Rabbit and Goat, it is the most accurate choice encompassing potential sources referred to as "Angora fiber" or similar terms, although Angora wool primarily comes from rabbits. Dr. Robert Edwards won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010.
Conservation and development of which the following breeds of animals is being done through embryo transplantation ? (i) Red Sindhi breed of animals (ii) Sahiwal breed of animals (iii) Gir breed of animals
Asked in: Lower Subordinate Services Examination 2024
- (i) and (ii)
- only (i)
- (i), (ii) and (iii)
- (ii) and (iii)
Show answer
Answer: C. (i), (ii) and (iii)
Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, and Gir are indigenous breeds of cattle known for their milk production and adaptability to Indian climatic conditions. Embryo transplantation is an advanced reproductive technology used to conserve and propagate superior genetic material in livestock.
In the colony of honeybees, worker are :
Asked in: Junior Accountant and TRA 2013
- Sterile female
- Sterile male
- Fertile female
- Fertile male
Show answer
Answer: A. Sterile female
Worker bees in a honeybee colony are reproductively immature females.
Ǔनम्नͧलͨखत में से कौन सा शहद की पͪत्तयों का उपयोग में लाता है ?
Asked in: JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT AND TRA 2013
- (1) मधुमक्खी-पालिन
- (2) रेशमकीट-पालिन
- (3) मुगर्शी-पालिन
- (4) मछलिी-पालिन
Show answer
Answer: A. (1) मधुमक्खी-पालिन
'मधुमक्खी-पालिन' (Beekeeping or Apiculture) is the practice of rearing honeybees. Its primary purpose is the collection of honey, beeswax, and other hive products.
Cryopreservation and Tissue/Organ Banking
Which of the following gas is commonly used in Cryo-Bank for ex-situ conservation ?
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2009
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
Show answer
Answer: A. Nitrogen
The most common method to achieve the necessary low temperatures in cryo-banks is by using liquid nitrogen, which boils at approximately -196°C (-320°F). This ultra-low temperature halts metabolic processes and prevents degradation, allowing for long-term storage.
Important Biological Terms and Discoveries
Which one among the following group of organisms produces their own food ?
Asked in: UPSC Geoscientist 2024
- Autotrophs
- Herbivores
- Carnivores
- Decomposers
Show answer
Answer: A. Autotrophs
- Autotrophs These organisms are capable of producing their own organic compounds (food) from inorganic sources, usually through photosynthesis (using sunlight) or chemosynthesis (using chemical energy). Examples include plants, algae, and some bacteria. - Herbivores These are heterotrophic consumers that obtain energy by eating plants. - Carnivores These are heterotrophic consumers that obtain energy by eating other animals. - Decomposers These organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, obtain energy by breaking down dead organic matter.
Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to blue waves? 1. It is a rare natural phenomenon also referred to as bio-luminescence. 2. It is caused by the light emitted by fluorescent corals present in ocean.
Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2019
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: A. 1 only
- 'Blue waves' is a term for marine bioluminescence. - Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms. - It is primarily caused by bioluminescent plankton like dinoflagellates.
Which of the following statements are correct regarding Food Irradiation?
Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2021
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
This technology of applying ionizing radiation improves the safety of food items and extends its shelf life. Food irradiation is a cold process unlike heating Cobalt-60 is the key element used in Food Irradiation This process cannot destroy the already present toxins and pesticides in foods. - Food irradiation enhances safety and shelf life by killing pathogens and pests. - It is a cold process, preserving food quality better than heat treatments for some products. - Gamma ray sources like Cobalt-60 are commonly used. - Irradiation does not remove or destroy chemical contaminants like toxins or pesticides.
Which of the following statements are correct? 1. Bacteria can live in almost every conceivable environment, including in or on the human body 2. Viruses are parasitic. That means they require living cells or tissue to grow. 3. Viral infections are contagious, whereas bacterial infections are not contagious.
Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2021
- 1, 2 and 3
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: C. 1 and 2 only
- Bacteria are diverse and found in many environments, including the human body. - Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites. - Both viral and bacterial infections can be contagious.
Which of the following is/are the types of positive interaction in a biotic community? 1. Colonisation 2. Competition 3. Protocooperation
Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2022
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: D. 1 and 3 only
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Competition is a type of negative interaction in a biotic community, where both species involved are harmed or negatively affected (-/-). - Statement 3 is correct: Protocooperation (also known as facultative mutualism) is a type of positive interaction where both species benefit (+/+), but the interaction is not essential for their survival. - Statement 1 (Colonisation) is less definitively classified as a type of interspecific interaction in the same way as competition or mutualism. However, colonisation is a crucial ecological process. In the context of community dynamics and succession, colonisation can involve positive interactions (e.g., facilitation, where early colonizers modify the environment positively for later species). Given that option D includes both 1 and 3 and excludes the incorrect option 2, it suggests that 'Colonisation' is considered a type of positive interaction in this context, perhaps referring to the positive impact or facilitation aspects associated with the establishment of new species in a community.
Which part of the world has a high density of organisms ?
Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2010
- Grasslands
- Savannah
- Deciduous forests
- Tropical rain forests
Show answer
Answer: D. Tropical rain forests
- High temperatures and abundant rainfall in tropical regions create ideal conditions for plant growth. - High primary productivity supports a large and diverse population of herbivores and subsequently, higher trophic levels. - The complex structure of the rainforest provides diverse habitats and niches for numerous species.
Ultimate source of energy for living being is :
Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2013
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Sunlight
- ATB
Show answer
Answer: C. Sunlight
- Photosynthetic organisms (like plants and algae) convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy (sugars) through photosynthesis. - This chemical energy forms the base of most food chains. Herbivores obtain energy by eating plants, carnivores by eating herbivores, and so on. - While carbohydrates and fats are forms of stored chemical energy within organisms, and ATP is the molecule used for energy transfer within cells, the original energy captured by the ecosystem (for most ecosystems) comes from the sun.
जीवों के ͧलए ऊजार्त का मूलभूत स्रोत क्या है ?
Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2013
- काबर्बोहाइड्रेट
- विसा
- सूयर्त प्रकाश
- ए.टी.बी.
Show answer
Answer: C. सूयर्त प्रकाश
प्रकाश संश्लेषण (Photosynthesis) की प्रlक्रया के माध्यम से पौधे और कु छ अन्य जीवि सूयर्त के प्रकाश की ऊजार्त का उपयोग करके काबर्तlनक यौlगक (जैसे काबर्बोहाइड्रेट) बनाते हैं। यह ऊजार्त lफर खाद्य श्रृंखलिा के माध्यम से अन्य जीविों तक पहुँचती है।
The only snake that builds a nest is :
Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2014
- Chain viper
- King cobra
- Krait
- Saw-scaled viper
Show answer
Answer: B. King cobra
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is unique among snakes for actively building a nest using leaves and other vegetation to lay its eggs in.
Which is the only snake that makes a nest?
Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2014
- Chain viper
- King Cobra
- Krait
- Saw-scaled viper
Show answer
Answer: B. King Cobra
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the only snake species known to build a dedicated nest for its eggs. The female uses her body to pile up leaves and other debris into a mound, lays her eggs inside, and actively guards the nest until the eggs hatch.
Bacteria can be seen by :
Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 1995
- Naked eye
- Compound microscope
- Hand lens
- Electron microscope
Show answer
Answer: B. Compound microscope
A compound microscope uses multiple lenses to achieve higher magnification (usually up to 1000x or more) than a hand lens, which is sufficient to visualize bacteria.
Which of the following statements about Bacteria is correct :
Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 1995
- They are on the border line of living and non- living
- They are on the border line of plants and anim‐ als .
- They are on the border line of flowering and nonflowering plants
- None of the above
Show answer
Answer: D. None of the above
Option A is incorrect; viruses, not bacteria, are often described as being on the borderline of living and non-living due to their inability to reproduce outside a host cell. Options B and C are incorrect; bacteria are fundamentally different from plants and animals (multicellular eukaryotes) and from flowering/non-flowering plants.
MRI is a diagnostic tool, which means
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2008
- Magnetic Resonance Index
- Magnetic Resolution Information
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- All the above
Show answer
Answer: C. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRI is a non-invasive imaging technology that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues within the body.
The bear commonly performing on streets is
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2008
- Sloth bear
- Sun bear
- Brown bear
- Cat bear
Show answer
Answer: A. Sloth bear
Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) were traditionally used by nomadic communities (like the Kalandars) in India for street performances, often referred to as "dancing bears." This practice is now illegal in India, and efforts have been made to rescue and rehabilitate these bears.
Which one of the following varieties of dogs is unable to bark ?
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2010
- Dingo
- Alsatian
- Dalmatian
- Labrador
Show answer
Answer: A. Dingo
Unlike domesticated dogs which bark, dingoes, the wild dogs of Australia, typically communicate through howls, yelps, and other vocalizations, but they do not produce the characteristic bark of domestic dogs. Alsatians (German Shepherds), Dalmatians, and Labradors are all breeds of domestic dogs known for barking.
Which one of the following is the longest flower in the world ?
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2010
- Lotus
- Sunflower
- Rafflesia
- Glory Lily
Show answer
Answer: C. Rafflesia
The flower of Rafflesia arnoldii can reach up to 1 meter in diameter and weigh up to 11 kg. It is a parasitic plant found in Southeast Asian rainforests.
An organism involved in the fermentation of toddy is:
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2010
- Lactobacillus
- Acetobacter
- Saccharomyces
- Penicillium
Show answer
Answer: C. Saccharomyces
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a common yeast used in the production of alcoholic drinks through anaerobic respiration (fermentation), converting sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Who invented the process of canning?
Asked in: Food Safety Officer 2022
- Louis Pasteur
- Norman Borlaug
- Walter Hesse
- Nicolas Appert
Show answer
Answer: D. Nicolas Appert
Nicolas Appert invented the process of canning food.
Which of the following reactions cause browning on cut surfaces of fruits and vegetables? A. Microbial action B. Enzymatic action C. Chemical reaction D. Excessive heating Select the correct answer using codes given below:
Asked in: Food Safety Officer 2022
- A and C
- A and D
- Only D
- Only B
Show answer
Answer: D. Only B
Enzymatic action is the primary cause of browning on cut surfaces of fruits and vegetables.
Statement 1. Thermal death time is the time required to reduce the number of micro-organisms by the factor of 10 in a thermal process. Statement 2. Thermal death time is also called "D" Value. Statement 3. Thermal death time is also called decimal reduction time. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Asked in: Food Safety Officer 2022
- Only statement 1 is true.
- Only statements 1 and 2 are true.
- Only statements 1 and 3 are true.
- All statements 1, 2 and 3 are true.
Show answer
Answer: D. All statements 1, 2 and 3 are true.
Thermal Death Time (TDT) and Decimal Reduction Time (D-value) are fundamental concepts in thermal processing and sterilization. They are used to predict the effectiveness of heat treatments in eliminating microbial contamination.
Plant Pathology: Common diseases and management
Which of the following is a common adulterant of mustard oil seeds ?
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2008
- Prickly seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Cumin seeds
- None of the above
Show answer
Answer: A. Prickly seeds
Adulteration of mustard oil with Argemone oil can cause epidemic dropsy, a serious disease characterized by swelling (edema) and other symptoms.