Q401. Which of the following is NOT a notified Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan as of 2023?
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 401–410 of 662 questions
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Q402. Find the odd one out regarding the biodiversity of Rajasthan.
Explanation
Rajasthan’s state symbols include the Khejri tree, the Rohida flower, the Chinkara as the wild state animal, and the Camel as the domestic state animal.
Q403. In-situ conservation refers to:
Explanation
In-situ conservation is the practice of protecting and managing wildlife and plant species within their natural surroundings. This approach focuses on maintaining the entire ecosystem and the natural processes that allow species to thrive. By establishing protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries, conservationists ensure that biodiversity is preserved in the environment where it naturally evolved and continues to interact.
Q404. Ex-situ conservation is best defined as:
Explanation
Ex-situ conservation involves the protection of biological diversity outside of its natural habitats. This method is often used for species that are critically endangered and cannot survive in the wild due to habitat destruction or other threats. Examples include botanical gardens, zoos, and gene banks, where individuals or genetic materials are maintained under human supervision to prevent complete extinction.
Q405. Read the following list of conservation methods:
I. Seed Banks
II. Botanical Gardens
III. Biosphere Reserves
IV. Cryopreservation
Which combination represents ex-situ conservation methods?
I. Seed Banks
II. Botanical Gardens
III. Biosphere Reserves
IV. Cryopreservation
Which combination represents ex-situ conservation methods?
Explanation
Ex-situ conservation methods involve maintaining species outside their natural environments. Seed banks, botanical gardens, and cryopreservation are all examples of this approach, as they involve human-managed storage or cultivation. Biosphere reserves, however, are a form of in-situ conservation because they protect entire ecosystems in their natural state. Therefore, only the seed banks, gardens, and cryopreservation techniques belong to the ex-situ category.
Q406. Identify the correct pair of conservation method and its type.
Explanation
Sacred groves are natural forest patches protected by local communities in their original locations, representing a traditional form of in-situ conservation. In contrast, wildlife sanctuaries are also in-situ, while zoological parks and tissue culture are ex-situ methods because they occur outside natural habitats. Therefore, the pairing of sacred groves with in-situ conservation is the only scientifically and technically accurate choice.
Q407. Match the following examples in List I with their types of conservation in List II:
| Example | Type of Conservation |
|---|---|
| A. National Park | i. In-situ conservation (Government protected) |
| B. Gene Bank | ii. Ex-situ conservation (Live aquatic species) |
| C. Sacred Lake | iii. Ex-situ conservation (Genetic material) |
| D. Aquarium | iv. In-situ conservation (Community protected) Options: |
Explanation
National Parks represent government-protected in-situ conservation. Gene Banks are ex-situ methods for storing genetic material. Sacred Lakes are examples of community-protected in-situ conservation based on cultural traditions. Aquariums serve as ex-situ centers for maintaining live aquatic species. Mapping these examples correctly illustrates the diversity of strategies used to preserve biological resources both within and outside their natural environments.
Q408. Identify the incorrect statement regarding seed banks.
Explanation
Seed banks are a vital ex-situ conservation tool designed to preserve genetic diversity. They store seeds for long-term recovery and research, as exemplified by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. However, the claim that seeds are stored at high temperatures is incorrect. Successful seed preservation actually requires controlled, very low temperatures and low humidity to maintain seed viability and prevent premature germination.
Q409. Which of the following is the most appropriate reason for using cryopreservation in biodiversity conservation?
Explanation
Cryopreservation is a sophisticated ex-situ conservation technique used to store biological materials like seeds, pollen, and animal gametes. By using liquid nitrogen to achieve ultra-low temperatures, usually around minus 196 degrees Celsius, genetic material can be preserved for decades without losing its viability. This method provides a "genetic backup" for endangered species that might face sudden extinction in the wild.
Q410. Botanical gardens play a significant role in conservation by:
Explanation
Botanical gardens serve as critical ex-situ conservation facilities by cultivating and maintaining living collections of diverse plant species. They focus on preserving rare, endemic, and threatened plants that may be at risk in their natural habitats. These institutions also conduct research on plant propagation and public education, playing a vital role in global efforts to prevent the loss of floral diversity.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 401 | (c) Kumbhalgarh |
| 402 | (a) Sangai (State Animal - Domestic) |
| 403 | (d) Conservation of species within their natural ecosystem or habitat. |
| 404 | (b) Maintenance and breeding of endangered species outside natural habitats. |
| 405 | (c) I, II and IV only |
| 406 | (d) Sacred Grove - In-situ conservation |
| 407 | (a) A-i, B-iii, C-iv, D-ii |
| 408 | (b) Seeds are stored at high temperatures and humidity to ensure survival. |
| 409 | (b) To preserve genetic material at ultra-low temperatures without loss of viability. |
| 410 | (a) Acting as ex-situ conservation centers for rare and threatened plant species. |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.