UPSC 2015 Science and Technology Questions with Answers

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: H1N1 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which causes respiratory infections in humans and animals. It is commonly known as Swine Flu because it was originally found in pigs. The virus is a result of genetic reassortment between human, swine, and avian influenza viruses.

Option (a),(b) and (c) are incorrect:

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and not the H1N1 virus. HIV primarily affects the immune system (CD4+ T cells) which leads to weakened immunity. Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) is caused by a different subtype of Influenza A virus, such as H5N1, H7N9, H5N8, etc. H1N1 is not responsible for Bird Flu. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pain and rash.

Explanation

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to communicate by tapping or bringing them close together. NFC is used in various applications, including contactless payments, data exchange, and access control.

Statement 1 is correct: NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology that enables devices to exchange data over distances typically up to 4 centimeters. It operates by generating electromagnetic fields through inductive coupling at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, which facilitates the transfer of information between devices. This contactless technology is widely used in mobile payments, access control, and data exchange.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NFC technology is designed for an operation distance of a few centimeters(not meter). This makes it more difficult for attackers to record the communication between an NFC Forum Device and an NFC Forum Tag compared to other wireless technologies which have a working distance of several meters.

Statement 3 is correct: NFC technology incorporates encryption methods to secure data transmission, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected during exchange. Techniques such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) are commonly employed to maintain confidentiality and integrity.

Explanation

: Nanotechnology is a field of science and engineering that deals with the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, typically between 1 to 100 nanometers. It involves the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of materials, devices, and systems at this incredibly small scale. This emerging field has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including medicine, electronics, materials science, and energy, by creating new materials with unique properties and developing innovative technologies with unprecedented capabilities.

Statement 1 is correct: Targeted drug distribution by nanoscale drug carriers is one of the fundamental tenets of nanomedicine. Numerous nanoscale drug delivery technologies, such as liposomes, dendrimers, quantum dots, nanotubes, polymeric biodegradable nanoparticles, and nanocapsules, have been studied.

Statement 2 is correct: Nanotechnology plays a significant role in gene therapy by creating nanocarriers that can deliver genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, to specific cells. These nanocarriers protect genetic material from degradation and improve its delivery into target cells, offering potential treatments for genetic disorders.

Explanation

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is the first of its kind, designed to explore the cosmos from deep within the ice at the South Pole. It is operated by the IceCube Collaboration, an international team of scientists conducting research in this field. By detecting high-energy cosmic neutrinos, IceCube enables the study of some of the universe’s most violent astrophysical events, including stellar explosions, gamma-ray bursts, and catastrophic interactions involving black holes and neutron stars.

Statement 1 is correct: The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is the largest neutrino detector globally, occupying a cubic kilometer of ice at the South Pole. It detects high-energy neutrinos from cosmic sources like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.

Statement 2 is correct: IceCube plays a critical role in the search for dark matter by detecting neutrinos produced when dark matter particles, such as WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), interact or annihilate. This makes it a vital tool in astrophysical and particle physics research.

Statement 3 is correct: IceCube’s detectors are buried at depths between 1,450 meters and 2,450 meters in Antarctic ice. This depth reduces interference from cosmic rays and other particles, allowing it to detect faint light signals from neutrino interactions.

Explanation

Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are primarily designed for Earth observation and resource management. Their applications encompass various fields, including agriculture, water resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry, ocean resources, and disaster management.

Option (a) is correct: Indian Remote Sensing satellites play a crucial role in agriculture. They provide data on crop health, soil conditions and vegetation cover which are essential for assessing crop productivity. The satellites capture multispectral and hyperspectral images that help in monitoring crop growth, predicting yields, and identifying areas affected by drought or pests. IRS satellites are instrumental in identifying potential groundwater resources. They use remote sensing techniques to map geological features, soil moisture, and vegetation patterns that indicate the presence of groundwater. ISRO’s Bhuvan portal provides satellite-based groundwater prospect maps. IRS satellites are used in mineral exploration by providing detailed images of the Earth’s surface which help geologists identify mineral-rich areas based on spectral signatures of rocks and soils. This reduces the need for extensive ground surveys. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) collaborates with ISRO to use remote sensing data for mineral exploration. IRS satellites are not designed for telecommunications. Telecommunications satellites such as the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) series are used for communication purposes including television broadcasting, internet services, and telephony. Traffic studies typically rely on data from ground-based sensors, GPS and other real-time monitoring systems. While satellites can provide broad-scale urban planning data but IRS satellites are not specifically designed for traffic management.

Explanation

The Goldilocks Zone, or habitable zone, refers to the region around a star where conditions are "just right" for liquid water to exist on a planet’s surface--a key factor for life as we know it. This zone depends on the star’s size and temperature. Earth lies within the Sun’s Goldilocks Zone, enabling its rich biodiversity. Exoplanets within their star’s habitable zones, such as Kepler-452b, are prime candidates in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen (H₂) reacts with oxygen (O₂) from the air in an electrochemical reaction. This process generates electricity along with water (H₂O) and heat as by-products. Since no harmful emissions are released, this is considered a clean energy technology.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Fuel cells are highly adaptable and can be designed for various applications, ranging from powering large buildings and vehicles to smaller portable devices such as laptops. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are particularly suitable for portable devices due to their compact size and efficiency.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Fuel cells generate electricity in the form of Direct Current (DC). However, many applications require Alternating Current (AC) to operate and thus an inverter is typically used to convert the DC produced by the fuel cell into AC.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF) was established in 2000 with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. In 2010 NIF became an autonomous body under the DST.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NIF’s primary mission is to strengthen grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge in India. It focuses on scouting, supporting, and scaling up innovations developed by individuals and local communities at the grassroots level rather than concentrating on advanced scientific research in collaboration with foreign institutions. Its primary goal is to support and scale up innovations by common people, especially in rural areas.