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Generate QuizScience – Hard Level – GK Questions
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BLAST is a bioinformatics tool used for:
- Protein structure prediction
- Sequence alignment
- Gene expression analysis
- Metabolic pathway mapping
Answer: Sequence alignment
BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) compares nucleotide/protein sequences against databases to find regions of similarity. Fundamental for evolutionary studies, functional annotation, diagnostics. [[NCERT Biology Class 12]]
Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals used as ________ catalysts in petroleum refining.
- Homogeneous
- Heterogeneous
- Enzymatic
- Photocatalytic
Answer: Heterogeneous
Zeolites (e.g., ZSM-5) have shape-selective pores for catalytic cracking, isomerization. Solid acid catalysts easily separated from products. Critical for clean fuel production. [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]
Quantum key distribution (QKD) ensures secure communication based on the principles of quantum ________.
- Entanglement
- Superposition
- Uncertainty
- All of these
Answer: All of these
QKD (e.g., BB84 protocol) uses quantum properties: any eavesdropping disturbs quantum states (uncertainty), detectable by legitimate users. Enables theoretically unbreakable encryption. India's National Quantum Mission supports R&D. [[DST Reports]]
Which cells have the potential to differentiate into any cell type of the three germ layers?
- Multipotent stem cells
- Pluripotent stem cells
- Totipotent stem cells
- Unipotent stem cells
Answer: Pluripotent stem cells
Pluripotent cells (embryonic stem cells, iPSCs) can form all embryonic lineages (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) but not extra-embryonic tissues. Totipotent (zygote) can form entire organism. [[NCERT Biology Class 12]]
True or False: Grid-scale battery storage helps manage the intermittency of solar and wind power.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Batteries (Li-ion, flow) store excess renewable energy for discharge during low generation/high demand. Critical for grid stability as renewable share increases. India targets 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030. [[MNRE Reports]]
Which technique separates ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio?
- Chromatography
- Spectrophotometry
- Mass spectrometry
- Electrophoresis
Answer: Mass spectrometry
MS ionizes molecules, accelerates ions through magnetic/electric fields; separation by m/z enables precise molecular weight determination and structural analysis. Used in proteomics, metabolomics, forensics. [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]
True or False: Topological insulators conduct electricity on their surface but are insulators in their bulk.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Topological insulators have protected surface states due to time-reversal symmetry, enabling dissipationless electron transport. Promising for spintronics and quantum computing. Nobel Prize in Physics 2016. [[NCERT Physics Class 12]]
Oncogenes are mutated versions of normal cellular genes called ________ that promote cell growth.
- Tumor suppressors
- Proto-oncogenes
- Apoptosis genes
- DNA repair genes
Answer: Proto-oncogenes
Proto-oncogenes regulate cell division; mutations (point, amplification, translocation) convert them to oncogenes (e.g., RAS, MYC), driving uncontrolled proliferation. Key concept in carcinogenesis. [[NCERT Biology Class 12]]
True or False: Molecular docking predicts how a small molecule binds to a target protein's active site.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Docking algorithms (AutoDock, Glide) simulate ligand-protein interactions, scoring binding affinity. Accelerates drug discovery by virtual screening of compound libraries before synthesis. [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12, DBT Reports]]
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established under which international agreement?
- Kyoto Protocol
- Paris Agreement
- UNFCCC
- Montreal Protocol
Answer: UNFCCC
GCF was established at COP16 (2010) under UNFCCC to assist developing countries in climate mitigation/adaptation. Operationalized in 2015; India is an active recipient and contributor. [[MoEFCC, UNFCCC Reports]]
Nuclear fusion research in India is primarily conducted at the Institute for ________ Research in Gandhinagar.
- Plasma
- Nuclear
- Atomic
- Space
Answer: Plasma
Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, leads India's fusion program (ADITYA-U tokamak, SST-1). Aims for clean, abundant energy via replicating stellar processes. [[DST Reports, NCERT Physics Class 12]]
Pharmacogenomics studies how genetic variations affect individual responses to:
- Diet
- Drugs
- Exercise
- Environment
Answer: Drugs
Pharmacogenomics tailors drug therapy based on patient's genome (e.g., CYP450 variants affecting drug metabolism). Aims to maximize efficacy, minimize adverse reactions. Emerging field in precision healthcare. [[ICMR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]
Cyclic voltammetry is used to study the ________ properties of electroactive species.
- Thermal
- Optical
- Redox
- Mechanical
Answer: Redox
Cyclic voltammetry applies triangular potential waveform to electrode, measuring current response. Reveals redox potentials, reaction mechanisms, electron transfer kinetics. Key tool in electrochemistry research. [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]
True or False: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Amyloid plaques (extracellular Aβ aggregates) and neurofibrillary tangles (hyperphosphorylated tau) disrupt neuronal function. Leading cause of dementia; research focuses on early detection and disease-modifying therapies. [[ICMR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 11]]
Which drug is a monoclonal antibody used in cancer immunotherapy targeting PD-1?
- Imatinib
- Pembrolizumab
- Methotrexate
- Cisplatin
Answer: Pembrolizumab
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) blocks PD-1 checkpoint, enhancing T-cell attack on tumors. Represents paradigm shift to immunotherapy in oncology. Approved for multiple cancers. [[NCERT Biology Class 12, ICMR Reports]]
Base editing, a derivative of CRISPR, allows direct conversion of one DNA base to another without causing ________.
- Mutations
- Double-strand breaks
- Deletions
- Insertions
Answer: Double-strand breaks
Base editors (e.g., cytosine/adenine base editors) chemically convert C→T or A→G without DSBs, reducing unintended indels. Safer for therapeutic genome editing. [[DBT Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]
Which Indian institution develops climate models for regional projections under the National Climate Mission?
- ISRO
- IITM Pune
- BARC
- DRDO
Answer: IITM Pune
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, develops Earth System Models (e.g., IITM-ESM) for monsoon prediction and climate change projections. Supports policy and adaptation planning. [[MoES Reports]]
The Higgs boson, discovered at CERN in 2012, is associated with the mechanism that gives particles ________.
- Charge
- Spin
- Mass
- Color
Answer: Mass
Higgs field interacts with particles via Higgs mechanism, endowing them with mass. Discovery confirmed Standard Model prediction. Nobel Prize in Physics 2013. [[NCERT Physics Class 12]]
True or False: A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object or system that updates in real-time using sensor data.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Digital twins simulate, predict, and optimize performance of assets (engines, cities, power grids). Enabled by IoT, AI, cloud computing. Emerging application in Industry 4.0 and smart infrastructure. [[NITI Aayog Reports]]
Which technique allows precise insertion of large DNA fragments into genomes?
- PCR
- CRISPR-Cas9
- Recombineering
- Gel electrophoresis
Answer: Recombineering
Recombineering uses phage proteins for homologous recombination in vivo, enabling large DNA insertions/deletions. Complements CRISPR for complex genome engineering in synthetic biology. [[DBT Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]