Science – GK Questions

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]]

Computed Tomography (CT) rotates X-ray source/detectors around patient; computer reconstructs slices. Superior for bone, trauma, lung imaging. Higher radiation dose than X-ray radiography. [[NCERT Physics Class 12]]

DPDP Act 2023 establishes framework for processing personal data, emphasizing consent, purpose limitation, data principal rights. Aligns with global standards while addressing Indian context. [[MeitY Reports]]

AMR arises via mutation, horizontal gene transfer. Misuse of antibiotics accelerates resistance. India's National Action Plan on AMR (2017) addresses surveillance, stewardship, R&D. Critical global health threat. [[MoHFW, WHO Reports]]

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]]

Smart Cities Mission (2015) promotes area-based development with sustainable mobility, water/energy efficiency, ICT integration, and citizen participation. 100 cities selected across India. [[MoHUA Reports]]

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]]

Aadhaar uses fingerprint, iris, and face (added later) for biometric authentication. Voice recognition is not part of UIDAI's standard authentication methods. Important for digital governance awareness. [[UIDAI Guidelines]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

AR enhances real-world view with computer-generated elements (text, 3D models) via smartphones, glasses. Applications: education, navigation, retail, industrial maintenance. Distinct from VR (fully immersive). [[MeitY Reports]]

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 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]]

Microplastics (<5 mm) originate from degraded larger plastics or microbeads. Found in oceans, soil, air, and human tissues. India banned single-use plastics (2022) to address this crisis. [[CPCB, MoEFCC Reports]]

Electroluminescence in LEDs: electron-hole recombination across bandgap emits photons (light). Energy (color) determined by semiconductor bandgap (e.g., GaAsP for red). Energy-efficient lighting. [[NCERT Physics Class 12]]

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) uses publish-subscribe model for efficient machine-to-machine communication. Ideal for sensor networks, smart homes, industrial IoT. [[MeitY Guidelines]]

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]]

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]]