Science – True/False – GK Questions

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) calculates distance via time-of-flight of laser pulses. Critical for autonomous vehicles, robotics, topographic mapping, archaeology. [[ISRO, MeitY Reports]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

Ultrasound (>20 kHz) penetrates tissues; echoes create images (sonography). Also used in cleaning, NDT, pest repellents. Non-ionizing and safe for prenatal scans. [[NCERT Physics Class 11]]

Light-dependent reactions: chlorophyll absorbs photons, excites electrons, splits water, generates ATP/NADPH. Calvin cycle uses these to fix CO₂. Foundation of life on Earth. [[NCERT Biology Class 11]]

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]]

Blue carbon ecosystems store carbon in biomass and sediments at rates higher than terrestrial forests. Conservation supports climate mitigation and coastal protection. India has significant mangrove cover. [[MoEFCC, UNEP Reports]]

Gut microbes train immune cells, produce vitamins (K, B12), ferment fiber to SCFAs. Dysbiosis linked to obesity, IBD, mental health. Probiotics/prebiotics modulate microbiome. [[ICMR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Perovskite PV cells (hybrid organic-inorganic) offer high efficiency, low cost, and flexibility. Challenges: stability, scalability. India's National Solar Mission supports R&D in next-gen PV. [[MNRE Reports]]

Supramolecular chemistry studies molecular assemblies via hydrogen bonds, van der Waals, π-π interactions. Applications: drug delivery, sensors, molecular machines (Nobel 2016). [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]

Deep learning models (e.g., CNNs) analyze medical images with accuracy comparable to specialists. India's AI for All strategy promotes such applications for affordable healthcare. [[NITI Aayog, MoHFW Reports]]

Circular economy contrasts linear 'take-make-dispose' model. Principles: design out waste, keep materials in use, regenerate natural systems. India's Resource Efficiency Strategy promotes this. [[NITI Aayog Reports]]

iPSCs (Yamanaka, 2006) are generated by introducing transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) into adult cells. Avoid ethical issues of embryonic stem cells; used in regenerative medicine. [[DBT Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Quantum dots (semiconductor nanocrystals) emit different colors based on size: smaller dots emit blue, larger emit red. Used in displays, bioimaging, solar cells. [[NCERT Physics Class 12, DST Reports]]

NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) exploits nuclear spin in magnetic fields; radiofrequency pulses induce resonance. Used for molecular structure determination in chemistry and medicine (MRI). [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]