[Mission 2023] STATIC QUIZ, 15 November 2022 – Science and Technology

Solution: d)

Besides Covid-19, monoclonal antibodies have been used in the treatment of cancers as well as Ebola and HIV.

Solution: c)

Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist James Matthew Barrie in the early 1900s. His character is one of a care-free young boy, who never grows up.

It is said that people who develop similar behaviours — of living life carefree, finding responsibilities challenging in adulthood, and basically, “never growing up” — suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome.

While the World Health Organization does not recognise Peter Pan Syndrome as a health disorder, many experts believe it is a mental health condition that can affect one’s quality of life.

As Peter Pan Syndrome hasn’t officially been diagnosed as a health disorder, there aren’t clearly-defined symptoms or characteristics or even reasons which cause it. However, according to HealthLine, it could affect one’s daily routine, relationships, work ethic, and result in attitudinal changes.

Solution: b)

Zoonotic diseases, impact humankind since the beginning of its association with animals. They are also the most numerous ones. Out of all the human disease-causing pathogens identified so far, over 60% are of animal origin. These include the causative agents for several well-known human and livestock diseases such as Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Anthrax, Leptospirosis, and Rabies.

Though the natural genetic changes that make these pathogens more infectious and lethal are outside our control, several field observations and scientific investigations have established that the increased incidences of zoonotic diseases in recent times are a direct consequence of the ongoing abuse of nature.

Our irresponsible actions such as large scale deforestation and encroachment of pristine natural ecosystems; reckless land-use changes either to enhance agriculture and livestock productions, or to provide land for infrastructure and industrial developments; and unsustainable consumption, coupled with unregulated trade of wildlife and their derivatives, often via a long and unhygienic supply chain, provide the enabling conditions for such disease spillovers.

Solution: c)

Melamine is an organic base chemical most commonly found in the form of white crystals rich in nitrogen.

Melamine is widely used in plastics, adhesives, countertops, dishware, whiteboards.

It is added to water adulterated milk to increase the nitrogen content and hence its apparent protein content.

Addition of melamine into food is not approved by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius (food standard commission), or by any national authorities.

Melamine alone causes bladder stones in animal tests. When combined with cyanuric acid, which may also be present in melamine powder, melamine can form crystals that can give rise to kidney stones.

Melamine has also been shown to have carcinogenic effects in animals in certain circumstances.

Solution: a)

Malaria is a potentially life threatening parasitic disease caused by parasites known as Plasmodium viviax (P.vivax), Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum), Plasmodium malariae (P.malariae)and Plasmodium ovale (P.ovale)

It is transmitted by the infective bite of Anopheles mosquito.

Dengue is a viral disease

It is transmitted by the infective bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito

It occurs in two forms: Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF)

Kala-azar is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania.