[MISSION 2023] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 10 Mar 2023

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Scientists have developed a new variant of the currently popular gene editing tool, CRISPR-Cas9, and have shown that this variant can increase precision in editing genome while avoiding unintended changes in DNA.
• The researchers have also shown that this type of gene editing can be used to correct sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder.
• By reprogramming and using a naturally occurring gene editing system – CRISPR-Cas9 – found in bacteria, scientists globally have been engaged in ‘editing’ the genome of various organisms.
• CRISPR-Cas9 stands for ‘Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9.’ This protein can be programmed to go to a desired location in the genome and correct or edit defective strands (such as those involved in certain diseases) of DNA. The technology, when perfected, may be used to treat several genetic disorders.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/gene-editing-in-embryos/

• The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) was founded in 1927 in Pune in order to promote women and children’s education and social welfare.
• Amrit Kaur was one of the founding members of AIWC.
• One of the first secretaries of AIWC was Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/09/different-faces-of-the-indian-womens-movement/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Leveraging advancements in CRISPR-based genetic engineering, researchers have created a system that restrains populations of mosquitoes that infect millions each yearwith debilitating diseases.
• Applications of CRISPR
  • Using CRISPR for genome editing
  • Using CRISPR libraries for screening
  • CRISPR/Cas9-mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation
  • Transcriptional activation and repression
  • Epigenetic editing with CRISPR/Cas9
  • Live imaging of DNA/mRNA
  • Therapeutic Applications
  • Enhancing crop production
  • Fighting antimicrobial resistance
  • Gene editing could improve the production of biofuelsby algae. Using CRISPR-Cas9, the strains of algae that produce twice as much fat can be created, which is then used to produce biodiesel.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/gene-editing-in-embryos/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Justification: Statement 1: Currently available newborn screening (genome) for childhood diseases allows detection of rare disorders that can be prevented or better treated by early detection and intervention.
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whole-genome-sequencing-predict-disease/
• Statement 2: Naturally if the gene potential can be identified by screening and sequencing, it will help in better genetic engineering.
• Statement 3: This can be reasoned logically based on the above.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_genome_sequencing

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/gene-editing-in-embryos/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Background and Justification: Machine learning at its most basic is the practice of using algorithms to parse data, learn from it, and then make a determination or prediction about something in the world. So rather than hand-coding software routines with a specific set of instructions to accomplish a particular task, the machine is “trained” using large amounts of data and algorithms that give it the ability to learn how to perform the task.
• These are currently used in a wide range of enterprise applications, mostly involving prediction or classification. Sample vendors: Amazon, Fractal Analytics, Google, H2O.ai, Microsoft, SAS, Skytree.
• Deep Learning is a special type of machine learning consisting of artificial neural networks with multiple abstraction layers. It imitates the workings of the human brain in processing data and creating patterns for use in decision making. Currently primarily used in pattern recognition and classification applications supported by very large data sets. Sample vendors: Deep Instinct, Ersatz Labs, Fluid AI, MathWorks, Peltarion, Saffron Technology, Sentient Technologies.
• Information passes through these networks, affecting their structure. They can change or “learn” – based on output and input. The learning comes from observing sets of data or examples. Deep learning is a growing trend in AI, pairing well with large data applications.
• Deep Instinct, Fluid AI, MathWorks, Ersatz Labs, Sentient Technologies, Peltarion and Saffron Technology are companies to watch.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/artificial-intelligence-comparing-the-types-and-their-impacts/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• This is the first time in the world that a large carnivore was relocated from one continent to another.
• The conservation of the cheetah will revive grassland-forests and its biome and habitat, much like Project Tiger has done for forests and all the species found in these forests. Project Tiger has also resulted in the conservation of 250 water bodies found in India’s 52 Tiger Reserves. The Cheetah Project is likely to have a similar impact.
• Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Rajasthan.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/can-the-cheetahs-help-indias-grasslands/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• India and Namibia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reintroduce the African cheetah in India. The agreement will prepare the ground for the relocation of the first batch of cheetahs from Namibia to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
• The Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952 and is a critically endangered species surviving only in Iran. In 1947, there were confirmed records of the cheetah’s presence in India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/can-the-cheetahs-help-indias-grasslands/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• To highlight the impact of women in sanitation and waste management, the Union Ministry for Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced the ‘Women Icons Leading Swachhata’ (WINS) Awards 2023 on the eve of International Women’s Day.
• Aim: It aims to recognize, celebrate and disseminate inspiring and exemplary initiatives in urban sanitation and waste management by women-led organizations and individual women.
• It aims to make make a transformational shift from ‘Women in Swachhata’ to ‘Women led Swachhata’
• Swachhatam Portal will be used for the selection of entries. In 2021, the integrated Swatchh Bharat Mission-Urban MIS portal Swachhatam and the state-of-art GIS platform were launched under SBM-U 2.0

Refer: Facts for Prelims (FFP): https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2023/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Worldwide there are six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs)and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) mandated for issuing advisories and naming of tropical cyclones. The tropical cyclones forming over different Ocean basins are named by the concerned RSMCs & TCWCs.
• India Meteorological Departmentis one of the six RSMCs to provide tropical cyclone and storm surge advisories to 13 member countries under WMO/ESCAP Panel
• Link: Criteria for name selection
• The proposed name should be neutral to (a) politics and political figures (b) religious believes, (c) cultures and (d) gender Name should be chosen in such a way that it does not hurt the sentiments of any group of population over the globe
• It should not be very rude and cruel in nature
• S3: It should be short, easy to pronounce and should not be offensive to any member
• S2: The maximum length of the name will be eight letters
• The proposed name should be provided along with its pronunciation and voice over
• S1: the names are not rotated every few years. It is believed that since the cyclones cause so much death, destruction and devastation, names are considered for retirement and henceis not used repeatedly.

Refer: Facts for Prelims (FFP): https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2023/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: Cyclone is the formation of very low-pressure systemwith very high-speed winds revolving around it.
• S2: Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are all tropical storms. They are all the same thing but are given different names depending on where they appear.
• S3: Warm sea surface temperatureis an ideal platform for cyclones.

Refer: Facts for Prelims (FFP): https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2023/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Committee on Public Accounts was first set up in 1921 in the wake of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms.
• The PAC is formed every year with a strength of not more than 22 members of which 15 are from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha.
• The term of office of the members is one year.
• The Chairman is appointed by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Since 1967, the chairman of the committee is selected from the opposition.
• Its chief function is to examine the audit report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) after it is laid in the Parliament.

Refer: Facts for Prelims (FFP): https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/03/10/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2023/