Science and Technology

Q.1 – Consider the following :

1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. DigiLocker
4. DIKSHA

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Option (d) is correct: Open source as the name implies, is open. It means that the code is publicly accessible and hence anyone can edit and modify, and distribute it. Making the code public has three key advantages. One, it will make it accessible to the wider public for scrutiny. Two, this will also bring in trust that the government is walking the talk, instead of raising suspicion. The third part is security, If there are any security lapses in the code, the government and open source community can collectively address the issue.

Many solutions launched by the government including Digilocker, Diksha, Aarogya Setu, the Covid-19 vaccination platform CoWIN — built on top of open-source digital platforms — have benefited from valuable inputs provided by volunteer open-source developers.

Q.2 – With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements :

1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.
2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Option (d) is correct: Web 3.0 is the upcoming third generation of the internet where websites and apps will be able to process information in a smart human-like way through technologies like machine learning (ML), Big Data, decentralized ledger technology (DLT), etc. Web 3.0 was originally called the Semantic Web by World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee, and was aimed at being a more autonomous, intelligent, and open internet.

Statement 1 is correct: Web 3.0 gives users control of their data. Web 3.0 allow individuals to not only own and control their data but also to get reimbursed for their online time.Users can engage in the management of internet protocols directly, rather than using free tech platforms in exchange for their personal data, which is the case with platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Statement 2 is correct: Web 3.0 is also refers to a decentralised internet based on blockchain, as they race to develop their own brands.

Statement 3 is correct: With Web 3.0 being based on the incorporation of blockchain technology into its operations, the new World Wide Web it will create will be decentralized, trustless (Web 3.0 takes out the middleman), and permissionless (anybody may join and no one can ever be prohibited).

Q.3 – With reference to “Software as a Service (SaaS)”, consider the following statements :

1. SaaS buyers can customise the user interface and can change data fields.
2. SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices.
3. Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of SaaS.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Option (d) is correct: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)—also known as cloud based software—is now mainstream. SaaS is a way of delivering applications over the Internet—as a service. Instead of installing and maintaining software, you simply access it via the Internet, freeing yourself from complex software and hardware management.
Statement 1 is correct: SaaS buyers can customize the user interface (UI) to change the look and feel of the program, as well as modify specific areas, such as data fields, to alter what data appears.

Statement 2 is correct: Software as a Service is used not only for desktop or laptop devices but also on various mobile devices.

Statement 3 is correct: If you have used a web-based email service such as Outlook, Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, then you have already used a form of SaaS. With these services, you log into your account over the Internet, often from a web browser. The email software is located on the service provider’s network and your messages are stored there as well. You can access your email and stored messages from a web browser on any computer or Internet-connected device.

Q.4 – Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media ?

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Option C is correct: The Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) was developed by the Soviet Union in 1960s. The system is used to launch nuclear warheads from space. In 2021, Frank Kendal III (the US Secretary of Air Force) stated that the Chinese Government is developing and testing FOBS.
The idea behind FOBS is, a warhead is put into a stable orbit and it deorbits over the target. If the target and the launch position is lined up and the warhead keeps going round, it will complete a circle.

Q.5 – Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned ?

(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies

Option B is correct: A qubit is a quantum bit, the counterpart in quantum computing to the binary digit or bit of classical computing. Just as a bit is the basic unit of information in a classical computer, a qubit is the basic unit of information in a quantum computer.

Q.6 – Consider the following communication technologies :

1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network

Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies ?

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

Option (d) is correct: Short-range radio device, is intended to cover radio transmitters which provide either unidirectional or bidirectional communication.
Short Range Devices (SRD) are radio devices that offer a low risk of interference with other radio services, usually because their transmitted power, and hence their range, is low. The definition ‘Short Range Device’ may be applied to many different types of wireless equipment, including various forms of:

• Access control (including door and gate openers)
• Alarms and movement detectors
• Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
• Cordless audio devices, including wireless microphones Industrial control
• Local Area Networks
• Medical implants
• Metering devices
• Remote control
• Radio frequency identification (RFID)
• Road Transport Telematics
• Telemetry.

Short range devices often benefit from a relaxed regulatory regime compared with other radio communications equipment.

Q.7 – Consider the following statements :

1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Option (d) is correct: Biofilm is a complex structure of microbiome having different bacterial colonies or single type of cells in a group; adhere to the surface.

Statement 1 & 2 are correct: Biofilms can be formed on medical implants with human tissues, food, food processing surfaces. Hence, they pose grave health issue specially in the form of infections.

Statement 3 is correct: Bacterial biofilms are serious global health concern due to their abilities to tolerate antibiotics (exhibiting antibiotic resistance), host defence systems and other external stresses; therefore it contributes to persistent chronic infections.

Q.8 – Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Option (c) is correct:

Statement 1 is correct: Common probiotic bacteria can include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The most common yeast found in probiotics is Saccharomyces boulardii. Probiotics are defined as living bacteria that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Probiotics occur naturally in fermented foods and cultured milk, but we can also find manufactured probiotic supplements.

Statement 3 is correct: Recent studies suggest that probiotics in yogurt drinks and non-dairy probiotic supplements could help aid the digestion of lactose (milk sugar).

Q.9 – In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements :

1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Option (b) is correct:

Statement 1 is incorrect: India has majorly relied on the viral vector vaccine Covishield for its vaccination drive. Over 88% of the doses given out so far have been of Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured locally under licence by the Serum Institute of India. Unlike mRNA vaccines, Serum Institutes Covishield uses the viral vector platform.

Statement 2 is correct: The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a proven well-studied human adenovirus vector platform.

Statement 3 is correct: Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine. This destroys the pathogen’s ability to replicate, but keeps it intact so that the immune system can still recognise it and produce an immune response.

Q.10 – Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body ?

(a) They protect the body from environmental allergens.
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

Option (d) is correct: T cells and B cells are part of a specialized network of immune cells that specifically respond to pathogens and fight off infections.

Q.11 – Consider the following statements :

1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Option (d) is correct:

Statement 1 is not correct: Nature itself is an excellent nanotechnologist. It provides us with a range of fine particles, from inorganic ash, soot, sulfur and mineral particles found in the air or in wells, to sulfur and selenium nanoparticles produced by many bacteria and yeasts. These nanomaterials are entirely natural.

Statement 2 is correct: Among metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) potentially present in cosmetics, those containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are common ingredients added to obtain a sufficient sun protection.

Statement 3 is correct: The nanoparticle may be unsafe: Due to their immensely small size, these materials may exhibit different physical, chemical, and biological properties, and penetrate cells more easily.

Q.12 – Consider the following statements :
DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :

1. assess the age of a plant or animal.
2. distinguish among species that look alike.
3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Option (d) is correct:

DNA barcoding is a method of identifying biological specimens and distinguish among species that look alike. It involves sequencing of stretches of genomic region which evolves fast enough to allow species-level discrimination.

Statement 1 is incorrect: To measure the age of plant and animal remains from the more recent past, scientists use a radioactive isotope of carbon, called carbon-14, as their clock.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct: DNA Barcoding can be used to distinguish among species that look alike and identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods. DNA barcoding in plants not only speeds up writing the encyclopedia of life, but also opens up the possibility of establishing Digital Plant Identification System (DPIS) which works independent of type, age, or developmental stage of the sample under study. Hence, if used properly, DNA barcoding can be an effective and efficient tool for exploring and protecting biodiversity, expedite bioprospecting, and defending against bio-piracy.