[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 17 February 2024

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: The panel expressed disappointment over ineffective measures to combat plastic pollution and urged the environment ministry to bridge data and implementation gaps.
• BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical compound commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These materials are widely used in various consumer products such as food and beverage containers, medical devices, and dental sealants. BPA has been a subject of concern due to its potential health effects, particularly its ability to mimic estrogen and its potential to interfere with hormone regulation. While research on BPA’s effects is ongoing, its prevalent use in plastics and resins is well-established. Options A and B are incorrect as BPA is not primarily used in paper products and is not naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables. Option D is also incorrect as studies suggest that BPA exposure may have adverse effects on cognitive function rather than improving it.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/pollution-caused-by-plastic-report-by-public-accounts-committee-pac/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
  • It is a policy approach and environmental strategy that places the responsibility for the entire lifecycle of a product, including its disposal, on the manufacturer or producer rather than on the end consumer or local government.
  • The fundamental idea behind EPR is to encourage producers to minimize the environmental impact of their products by considering their entire lifecycle, from the design and production phase to the end-of-life phase.
• The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 recognises producers’ liability for recycling and reducing e-waste in the country.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility – financial and/or physical – for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been given the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under the new e-waste rules

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/pollution-caused-by-plastic-report-by-public-accounts-committee-pac/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: Correct. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is indeed a thermoplastic polymer, meaning it can be melted and reformed multiple times without undergoing significant chemical degradation.
• S2: Correct. PET is widely utilized in the manufacturing of food and beverage containers due to its excellent barrier properties against moisture and gases, as well as its transparency, lightweight, and durability.
• S3: Incorrect. PET is not considered a biodegradable plastic. It is a synthetic polymer that, under typical environmental conditions, does not readily biodegrade.
• S4: Incorrect. While PET possesses many desirable properties, such as transparency and strength, it is not highly resistant to heat and chemicals. PET containers may degrade or warp under high temperatures and are susceptible to certain chemicals.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/pollution-caused-by-plastic-report-by-public-accounts-committee-pac/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: A team of archaeologists discovered an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture near Ulundurpet, in Tamil Nadu dating back to the Pallava period.
• The sculpture stands five feet tall and four feet wide, depicting Kotravai with eight hands, characteristic of the eighth century.
• The sculpture features various elements such as chakkara, sword, bell, and abhaya mudra in the right hands, and conch, bow, shield, and Uru Mudhra in the left hands, along with bangles.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/kotravai-sculpture/

Ans: (b)

Explanation;

• Generic drugs are pharmaceutical products that are identical or bioequivalent to brand-name drugs in terms of dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use. However, they are typically sold under their chemical name and are often less expensive than brand-name drugs.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/data-exclusivity/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical nanostructures composed of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, forming a tube-like structure. This unique arrangement gives them extraordinary properties, including high tensile strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. Option A is correct because it accurately describes the fundamental structure of carbon nanotubes. Options B and C are incorrect as carbon nanotubes typically exhibit a highly ordered structure and are exceptional conductors of electricity. Option D is incorrect because while some methods of synthesizing carbon nanotubes may be complex and expensive, there are also more cost-effective and straightforward techniques available for their production.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/sodium-catalysed-synthesis-of-carbon-nanotubes/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines for the clinical management of diphtheria, addressing the urgent need for evidence-based practices in response to outbreaks in Nigeria, Guinea, and neighbouring countries in 2023.
• Diphtheria, a serious contagious bacterial infection, can cause severe respiratory issues and systemic complications, especially in children.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/diphtheria/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has introduced the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric to quantify actions aimed at halting biodiversity loss in oceans.
• What is STAR Metric?
  • The STAR metric uses data from the IUCN Red List to quantify extinction risks and threats faced by species. It assesses how specific actions in certain locations can contribute to international conservation targets, focusing on threat abatement and habitat restoration. STAR helps measure progress towards global biodiversity targets and supports decision-making by governments, businesses, and organizations in conservation efforts.
  • It was first unveiled in 2021 for use in terrestrial areas and has now been extended for marine ecosystems as well.
  • It emphasizes reducing unsustainable fishing, managing invasive species, and addressing climate change. This metric aligns with international agreements such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/species-threat-abatement-and-restoration-star-metric/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Scientists accidentally discovered a Stone Age wall beneath the Baltic Sea in Germany, believed to be Europe’s oldest megastructure.
• The wall, stretching nearly a kilometre along the seafloor, comprises 1,673 individual stones. Its size and shape suggest it’s unlikely to be a natural formation, leading researchers to propose it was constructed over 10,000 years ago by hunter-gatherers as a hunting lane for reindeer herds.
• It is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North and Central European Plain.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/baltic-sea/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: A privately-built U.S. moon lander, Odysseus, was launched by SpaceX from Florida, aiming to achieve the first American lunar landing in over 50 years.
• The Intuitive Machines (IM)-1 flight, carrying the Nova-C lander (Odysseus) and six NASA payloads, aims to soft land near the Moon’s south pole at the Malapert A crater. Previous private attempts by Israel, Japan, and the USA faced challenges.
• The mission, carrying NASA payloads, seeks to gather data about the lunar environment. Scheduled to land on February 22, the success of the mission would mark the first private lunar landing and a significant milestone in NASA’s Artemis program.
• Successful soft lunar touchdowns have been achieved only by the US, the former Soviet Union, China, India, and Japan.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/17/intuitive-machines-im-mission/