February 02-03 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has recently approved a new non-opioid painkiller, Suzetrigine.
• Opioids:
  • They are medications derived from or designed to mimic substances naturally found in the opium poppy plant. E.g. oxycodone, morphine, codeine, heroin, and fentanyl.
  • These drugs function by binding to opioid receptors in brain cells, blocking pain signals while simultaneously producing pleasurable sensations.
  • While highly effective for pain management, their ability to create feelings of euphoria makes them particularly susceptible to psychological dependence and addiction.
• Suzetrigine:
  • Unlike opioids, which act on the brain to numb the pain, suzetrigine interrupts pain signals before they even reach the brain (rather than simply masking the pain sensation as opioids do).
  • As it does not produce euphoric effects, it poses minimal addiction risk.

Answer: (a) Non-opioid Painkiller; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement I is correct

• Recently, Himachal Pradesh has launched a pilot project for controlled cannabis cultivation, focusing on medicinal and industrial purposes.
• Marijuana (plant material), Hashish (female plants), Cannabis Oil (cannabinoid extract).
• It is native to Central Asia.
• It contains over 120 cannabinoids, with CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) being the most notable.

Statement II is correct

• The cultivation of cannabis is largely prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 due to its psychoactive properties. Section 2 of the Act bans the production and sale of cannabis resin and flowers, classifying charas as a prohibited substance.
• However, the Act allows exceptions for medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation under strict state regulation.
• Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Manipur leads in cannabis cultivation in India.

Statement II is not the correct explanation of statement I

Answer: (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• India has a long coastline consisting of mainland coastline and Indian island coastline touching 13 States and Union Territories (UTs).
• The straight and regular coastline of India is the result of faulting of the Gondwanaland during the Cretaceous period. {Continental Drift}
• As such the coast of India does not offer many sites for good natural harbours.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• India’s coastline has undergone a remarkable expansion, growing by 47.6% from 7,516 km in 1970 to 11,098 km in 2023-24.
• Statewise changes:
  • Gujarat experienced the most significant increase in coastline length, nearly doubling from 1,214 km to 2,340 km. It is the state with the longest coastline in India.
  • West Bengal saw the highest percentage increase, surging by 357% from 157 km to 721 km.
  • Kerala reported the smallest increase, adding just 30 km (5%) to its total coastline.
  • Tamil Nadu’s coastline has been revised to 1,068 km (previous 906 km), surpassing Andhra Pradesh’s 1,053 km and now has the second longest coastline in India.
  • Puducherry’s coastline, encompassing Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe, experienced a contraction of 4.9 km.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Fentanyl, a potent opioid agonist/synthetic opioid, was developed in the 1950s to fill a need for strong and rapid analgesia.
• Fentanyl was FDA-approved in 1968.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is commonly used medically for pain management in chronic cancer pain or in anesthesia, but is highly addictive and dangerous in illicit forms.

Statement 3 is correct

• Fentanyl is related to other opioids like morphine and oxycodone, & is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin & 100 times more potent than morphine.
• Fentanyl’s high potency has also made it a common adulterant in illicit drugs, especially heroin.
• Only a few grains can lead to a fatal overdose.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully decoded gene expression pattern of Indian squid, revealing significant insights into its genetic makeup.
• Indian Squid (Uroteuthis duvaucelii) is of the family Loliginidae, Class: Cephalopoda (not Arthropoda).

Statement 2 is correct

• Significance of Genetic Study:
  • Revealed genetic similarities with higher vertebrates, including humans.
  • Provides insights into the evolution of intelligence and brain development and offers avenues for potential applications in neuroscience and environmental science.
  • Enhances our understanding of cephalopod biology.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The IUCN status of the Indian Squid is Data Deficient (DD), not ‘Least Concern’ (LC).

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• “Link strength” refers to the complex network of interactions within the mangrove ecosystem, including intertwined roots, shared nutrients, and common stress factors.
• Mangrove ecosystems exhibit strong interconnected networks through their root systems, shared soil composition, and nutrient exchanges.
• They also possess ecological memory, meaning they “remember” past responses to stressors, such as cyclones, and adjust their interactions with the environment accordingly.
• For example, if water chemistry changes, they modify their response to sur-rounding hydrometeorological processes.

Option (a) is incorrect

• Mangrove roots do not grow independently; rather, they form strong networks.

Option (c) is incorrect

• Genetic adaptation to salinity is a different concept from “link strength.”

Option (d) is incorrect

• As mangroves interact with hydrological and climatic changes instead of isolating themselves.

Answer: (b) The complex network of interactions within the mangrove ecosystem, including intertwined roots, shared nutrients, and common stress factors; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second-largest country in Africa, bordered by nine countries.
• These countries are:
  1. Angola
  2. Burundi
  3. Central African Republic
  4. Republic of the Congo
  5. Rwanda
  6. South Sudan
  7. Tanzania
  8. Uganda
  9. Zambia

Answer: (c) Only four; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Only statement 3 is correct

• Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 apply to all entities generating constrution and demolition (C&D) waste, addressing indiscriminate disposal and facilitating reuse and recycling.
• Waste generators are accountable for the collection, segregation, storage, and deposit of C&D waste.
• Those generating over 20 tons in a day or 300 tons per month must submit a waste management plan for approval.
• Service providers must create a comprehensive waste management plan covering all aspects from segregation to disposal within six months of the rules’ notification.
• Local authorities are tasked with managing C&D waste, setting up collection systems, and ensuring safe disposal, including handling contaminated waste.
• Local authorities are encouraged to provide incentives for waste generators who actively recycle or salvage materials.
• Regulations are in place that require the establishment of processing and recycling facilities away from sensitive areas, ensuring the scientific management of C&D waste.
• State authorities must prepare policies and support C&D waste management, while Central Pollution Control Board will develop the operational guidelines and create standards for recycled materials.
• The waste processing plants will be authorised by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and will monitor compliance.
• Bureau of Indian Standards to define product codes and standards and the Indian Roads Congress to establish protocols for using C&D waste in road construction.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium