June 02-03 2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Rigvedic texts do not mention the use of iron.
• This is a key point that differentiates the Vedic period from later periods, as the use of iron is associated with the later Vedic period and beyond, particularly in the Ganga Basin and Deccan region around 2,400 years ago.
• The absence of iron in the Rigvedic texts suggests that these texts belong to an earlier period when iron was not yet in use.

Statement 2 is correct

• Excavations at Rakhigarhi indeed uncovered evidence of ritual platforms and fire altars.
• Fire worship is a significant aspect of the Rigvedic texts, where rituals involving fire (such as the Agni worship) are prominent.
• The archaeological findings at Rakhigarhi suggest a continuity or similarity in ritual practices.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Rigvedic texts mention the Saraswati River numerous times.
• Currently, it is called the Ghagghar-Hakra river and flows only during the monsoon season.
• Originates from Shivaliks & flows through Punjab, Haryana & Rajasthan before entering Pakistan.
• The Indian part of the river is named the Ghagghar, while the one in Pakistan is the Hakra.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Constitution does not specify that the President must invite the leader of the largest party to form the government if no party has a majority.
• The President has the discretion to invite the leader most likely to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha, which could be the leader of the largest party or coalition.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Article 79 describes the Constitution of Parliament.
• It says that there shall be a Parliament for the Union, which shall consist of the President and two Houses, to be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People.
• Additionally, the Constitution of India does not explicitly provide for the formation and functioning of coalition governments.
• Coalition governments are formed through political arrangements and post–poll alliances based on a common minimum program agreed upon by the constituent parties, but there are no specific constitutional provisions for this.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the reference point for other greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1.
• However, other gases like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have much higher GWPs.
• For example, methane has a GWP of about 30, and nitrous oxide has a GWP of about 273 over a 100-year period.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• El Niño weakens the Walker Circulation, which disrupts the flow of moist air from the Indian Ocean towards the Indian subcontinent.
• This weakening leads to a diminished Indian Monsoon, creating drier conditions over the subcontinent.

Statement 3 is correct

• The UHI effect causes urban areas to be warmer than their rural surroundings, leading to higher energy demand for cooling purposes such as air conditioning.
• This increased energy demand results in higher production of greenhouse gases (GHGs), thus contributing to global warming.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• The average lifetime of methane in the atmosphere is about a decade.
• The 52 to 93 years range refers to the average lifetime of certain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) namely CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, in the atmosphere, not methane.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an effective method for disinfecting water by inactivating microorganisms, including Faecal Coliforms (FC).
• However, high doses of UV radiation are required to achieve effective disinfection, especially when dealing with high levels of contamination.
• Capital Costs: Implementing high UV doses requires sophisticated and expensive equipment, increasing the initial capital investment required for the treatment plant.
• Efficiency: Over time, the effectiveness of UV systems can diminish due to factors such as lamp fouling or decreased lamp output.
  • This means more frequent maintenance and potential downtime, which reduces overall operational efficiency.

Statement 2 is correct

• Coliform bacteria are commonly found in the environment and are not typically harmful.
• However, their presence in drinking water is a significant indicator of possible contamination by more harmful, disease-causing pathogens.
• Indicator Organisms: Coliforms are used as indicator organisms because their presence suggests that other pathogens, which may be more difficult to detect directly, could be present in the water supply.
  • This includes bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause diseases.
• Faecal Coliforms: Specifically, faecal coliforms originate from the intestines of warm-blooded animals and their presence in water indicates recent faecal contamination.
  • This is critical because faecal matter can carry a wide range of pathogens that pose serious health risks.

Statement 3 is correct

• Vitamin K2 Production: E. coli bacteria in the gut produce Vitamin K2, which is essential for blood clotting, bone health, and cardiovascular health.
• Symbiotic Relationship: E. coli helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome by competing with and preventing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria.
• This symbiotic relationship is crucial for maintaining overall gut health and preventing infections.

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

Explanation

• Tmesipteris oblanceolate, a fork fern species from New Caledonia, boasts the world’s largest genome.

• Tmesipteris oblanceolata is a species of fork fern from New Caledonia known for having the world’s largest genome.
• This plant, despite its small size (10-15 cm in height), boasts a genome size 7% larger than the Japanese flowering plant Paris japonica, the previous record-holder, and about 25% larger than Africa’s marbled lungfish (the biggest-known animal genome)
• The genome of Tmesipteris oblanceolata is about 50 times the size of the human genome, illustrating its extraordinary genetic makeup.
• This extensive genome contains all the necessary genetic material required for the plant’s growth, development, and functioning, and is an important subject in the fields of genomics and evolutionary biology.

Answer: (b) Species of fork fern from New Caledonia with the world’s largest genome; Difficulty Level: Medium