Health: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Health (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2012Science and Technology · Health
Q1. Consider the following kinds of organisms: 1. Bacteria2. Fungi3. Flowering plants Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms employ biopesticides?
Explanation
Biopesticides are various biologically active natural substances that exist in nature and have inhibitory effects on crop diseases and insect pests. In general, the creation of biopesticide depends to a large extent on biological resources.
Option (d) is correct:
Three major classes of biopesticides are:
Class of Biopesticides Description Examples Microbial Pesticides Consist of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa) as active ingredients for pest control. These may be naturally occurring, dead or alive, or genetically engineered. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) - produces toxins harmful to specific insects. Fungal Biopesticides Some fungi act as biopesticides by infecting and killing pests. Entomopathogenic fungi target insects, while others combat plant pathogens. Entomopathogenic fungi - infect and kill insects. Plant-Incorporated-Protectants (PIPs) Pesticidal substances that plants produce from inserted genetic material. Genetically modified corn and cotton, Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) - possesses insecticidal properties.
UPSC 2012Science and Technology · Health
Q2. What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems? 1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water. 2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water. 3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation effectively neutralizes harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. It damages their DNA by disrupting the thymine bases, preventing reproduction and rendering them harmless.
Statement 2 is incorrect: UV radiation does not remove chemical compounds or gases that cause undesirable odors in water. These require additional processes like activated carbon filtration or oxidation techniques.
Statement 3 is incorrect: UV radiation does not affect solid particles, turbidity, or water clarity. These issues require mechanical filtration or sedimentation processes, such as sand filters or coagulation methods.
UPSC 2012Science and Technology · Health
Q3. With reference to ‘stem cells’, frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. 2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. 3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
A stem cell is a special type of cell that can develop into different cell types and has the ability to self-renew, helping in growth, repair, and regeneration of tissues in the body.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Stem cells are not exclusive to mammals. They can be derived from a variety of organisms, including plants, non-mammalian animals, and other sources. For instance, plants have meristematic cells (responsible for the root and shoot growth of plants), which function similarly to stem cells in animals.
Statement 2 is correct: Stem cells, especially induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells, are used in drug screening and toxicity testing. They help in assessing drug responses in a controlled laboratory setting.
Statement 3 is correct: Stem cells have significant applications in regenerative medicine, including treatments for blood disorders (like leukemia), neurodegenerative diseases, and tissue repair. Bone marrow transplants, for example, rely on hematopoietic stem cells.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2012
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2
2012
(a) 1 only
3
2012
(b) 2 and 3 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Health?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Health (Science and Technology), asked from 2011 to 2023. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Health?
Questions on Health (Science and Technology) are available for 9 years, from 2011 to 2023. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
