[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 05 October 2023

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• What are Quantum dots?
  • A quantum dot is a nanoparticle made of any semiconductor material such as silicon, cadmium selenide, cadmium sulfide, or indium arsenide. They are essentially small crystals of nanometer-size dimensions – they’re about 20,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. They are each one million times smaller than a millimeter. They have distinctive electrical conduction properties that are determined by the incredibly small size and structure.
  • When these QDs are hit with a specific frequency of radiation, their changeable structure, tailored by scientists, means that they can be finely tuned to emit a specific frequency of radiation; changing the wavelength of the light source can achieve the same effect.
  • In the dark, the QDs remain inactive. When bombarded by visible light, they become energetically “excited.”
• Why we need them?
  • Super-bacteria resistant to the latest antibiotics, the last line of medical defence against various infections, cancer and HIV, is on the rise. These superbugs use evolutionary abilities to overwhelm medical advances. And to contain these bugs has been a challenging task for the scientists across the world.
• What led to their rise?
  • The rampant, indiscriminate administration of common antibiotics has allowed these bacteria the ability to shuffle their genes and defeat these drugs. Such bacteria include Salmonella, Staphylococcus and E. coli.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/2023-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-quantum-dots/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• B) Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor particles that have unique optical and electronic properties due to their small size. They are often used in various applications, including display technology, medical imaging, and solar cells, because they can emit light of different colors depending on their size. This property makes them valuable in technologies such as quantum dot displays and quantum dot-based sensors.
• A) This statement is incorrect. Quantum dots are not tiny robots; they are semiconductor nanoparticles.
• C) This statement is incorrect. Quantum dots are not subatomic particles used in quantum computing; they are a different class of nanomaterial.
• D) This statement is incorrect. Subatomic particles found in the nucleus of atoms include protons and neutrons, not quantum dots.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/2023-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-quantum-dots/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/2023-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-quantum-dots/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Conventional computers store and process information in bits. A bit is the smallest unit of data that computers can handle. It can take just two values — 0 or 1 — but only one of these at a time. A zero would result in a certain set of instructions to be carried out, while a one would lead to a different set of instructions. All data in computers, including text, pictures and videos, are broken down into a sequence of zeros and ones for purposes of storage and processing, and can be reconstructed from these.
• A two-bit system in a conventional computer can have four states — (0,0), (0,1), (1,0) and (1,1) — but again only one at a time. To go through each of these four states, the computer has to take four steps. A more powerful computer can speed up the process, but it would still have to go through the four steps.
• This is where the quantum computer starts to do things differently. Superposition makes it possible for the quantum bit, or a qubit as it is called, to exist in both 0 and 1 state simultaneously. Counter-intuitive as it may appear, it can be 60 per cent 0 and 40 per cent 1 at the same time, or any other combination. Similarly, the two-qubit system can be in all four states at the same time — some part (0,0), some part (0,1), some part (1,0) and remaining (1,1). What it means is that a quantum computer can go through these four states in one step, unlike the conventional computer that requires four steps.
• As more qubits are added, the processing capability of the quantum computer increases exponentially. With just a few qubits, say 50, quantum computers can outpace traditional computers that perform a couple of billion operations per second.
• Apart from the challenges in building a quantum computer — requirements of very cold temperatures and extreme isolation — there is a significant risk of errors. The parallel processing happening in superposition states all lead to different results, only one of which is correct or desirable. In other situations, when the superposition breaks down, the final outcome is randomly selected from the range of possibilities.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/2023-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-quantum-dots/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Nobel Prize for Physics 2022 was shared by three scientists for their work on quantum mechanics.
• The three conducted a series of experiments on something called entangled quantum states, where two separate particles behave like a single unit. Their pathbreaking results will have implications in the fields of quantum computers, quantum networks and secure quantum encrypted communication. Put simply, quantum computers use quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for regular computers.
• A phenomenon called quantum teleportation, which makes it possible to move a quantum state from one particle to one at a distance.”

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/2023-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-quantum-dots/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 and 3: Teesta River originates from the Pahunri glacier. Brahmaputra originates in Angsi glacier. Teesta is a tributary of Brahmaputra. So, 1 is wrong.
• But, Teesta flows through West Bengal and Sikkim, before going to Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh. Statement 3 is incorrect.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teesta_River
• http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Brahmaputra
• Statement 2: Rangeet is a tributary of the Teesta river, which is the largest river in Sikkim. It also originates in Sikkim.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangeet_River

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/sikkim-glacial-lake-outburst-flood-glof/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• A Member of Parliament (MP) can be disqualified from the Lok Sabha for a number of reasons, including:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/disqualification-from-lok-sabha/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context:  The Indian government has officially established the National Turmeric Board, responding to a longstanding demand from turmeric farmers across the country.
• The board, under the Union Commerce Ministry, will be dedicated to the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric-related products in India.
• India is a leading producer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
• The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. India has more than 62% share of world trade in turmeric
• Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It’s a relative of ginger and has been used in cooking for hundreds of years.
• Turmeric is a deep, golden-orange colour and has a warm, bitter taste. It’s often used to flavour or colour: Curry powders, Mustards, Butters, Cheeses.
• Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which might reduce swelling. Curcumin also gives turmeric its yellow colour.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/turmeric-board/

Ans: (b )

Explanation:

• B) This statement is correct. Palm oil cultivation has been linked to deforestation, habitat destruction, and the loss of biodiversity in regions where it is produced. Large-scale palm oil plantations often lead to the clearing of tropical rainforests, which has adverse environmental consequences.
• A) This statement is incorrect. Palm oil is primarily produced in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, rather than South America.
• C) This statement is partially correct. Palm oil is not a nut oil but rather an edible vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is commonly used in cooking, as well as in various processed foods and products.
• D) This statement is incorrect. Palm oil production and use have raised concerns about their environmental impact, including deforestation, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, there have been health concerns related to the consumption of palm oil due to its high saturated fat content. These issues have prompted efforts to promote sustainable palm oil production and use.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/palm-oil/

Ams: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Coral reefs are essentially just big limestone structures built by thousands of tiny coral creatures called polyps.
• Increased ocean temperature caused by climate change is the main cause of coral bleaching events. That’s when reefs expel the symbiotic algae responsible for their colour. If that happens over longer periods, the corals can eventually die.
• Coral reefs act like low-crested breakwaters and absorb 97% of wave energy. This substantially reduces coastal flooding and erosion.
• Coral reefs cover less than 0.5% of the earth’s surface, but they are home to about 25% of all marine species.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/05/coral-reef-breakthrough/