UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 4 April 2024

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
• Swell surge forecast system is an innovative system designed for the prediction of Kallakkadal/Swell Surge that occurs along the Indian coast, particularly the west coast. Kallakadal/Swell surge are flash-flood events that take place without any noticeable advance change in local winds or any other apparent signature in the coastal environment. Hence the local population remains totally unaware of these flooding events until they actually occur. Such events are intermittent throughout the year.
• Kallakkadal is a colloquial term used by Kerala fishermen to refer to the freaky flooding episodes and in 2012 UNESCO formally accepted this term for scientific use. During Kallakkadal events, the sea surges into the land and inundated vast areas. These events have attracted attention especially after the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, since most people mistake Kallakkadal to be Tsunamis. Tsunami and Kallakkadal/Swell surge are two different types of waves with entirely separate causes or mechanisms. Kallakkadal are caused by meteorological conditions in the Southern Ocean, south of 30°S. A study by INCOIS scientists has revealed that specific meteorological conditions in the Southern Indian Ocean support the generation of long period swells. These swells once generated, travel northward and reach the Indian coasts in 3-5 days time, creating havoc in the coastal areas. The system will now predict Kallakkadal and warnings will be given to concerned authorities at least 2-3 days in advance, which will help the local authorities for contingency plans and to reduce damage.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/swell-waves/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: A recent study suggests that the accelerated melting of glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica due to climate change is affecting Earth’s rotation, potentially postponing the need for a “negative leap second” to keep clocks aligned with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
• Option 1 is Incorrect: Earth makes one complete rotation on its axis every 23 hours and 56 minutes, which is rounded up to 24 hours.
• Option 2 is Incorrect: Earth rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above the North Pole, not when viewed from the North Pole itself.
• Option 3 is correct: Earth’s rotation speed is indeed faster at the equator compared to the poles due to the larger circumference of the equator, resulting in a greater distance traveled in the same amount of time.
• Option 4 is Incorrect: Earth’s rotation axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the Sun, not perpendicular.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/negative-leap-second/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Earth rotates once in about 24 hours with respect to the Sun, but once every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds with respect to other distant stars (see below). Earth’s rotation is slowing slightly with time; thus, a day was shorter in the past. This is due to the tidal effects the Moon has on Earth’s rotation.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/negative-leap-second/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) program was conceptualized in 2012 and is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space, along with other ministries, under the framework of the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
• Its primary objective is to generate and disseminate long-term Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) derived from Indian and other Earth observation satellites, which are essential for understanding Earth’s climate.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/nices-programme/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The indigenous knowledge of the Konda Reddi tribe regarding the Indian laurel tree’s water-storing ability has been confirmed by forest officials in the Papikonda National Park.
• Forest authorities conducted an experiment by cutting the bark of the Indian laurel tree, revealing water splashing out, particularly in the summer, as claimed by the tribe.
• Indian Laurel Tree known as Indian Silver Oak and valued for its timber commercially.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/indigenous-knowledge-konda-reddi-tribe/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The indigenous knowledge of the Konda Reddi tribe regarding the Indian laurel tree’s water-storing ability has been confirmed by forest officials in the Papikonda National Park.
• About Papikonda National Park:
  • It is located in Andhra Pradesh.
  • A unique dwarf breed of goat known locally as the “kanchu mekha” originates in this region.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/indigenous-knowledge-konda-reddi-tribe/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Only statement 3 is correct.
• Cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of the Elettaria cardamomum plant, also known as green cardamom or true cardamom.
• The plant is native to southern India and is part of the ginger family.
• Cardamom has a strong, warm flavour that is both spicy and sweet.
• Soil and climate
  • Soil: It is grown in forest loamy soils, which are usually acidic in nature with a pH range of 5.0–6.5
  • This crop can be grown at an elevation from 600 to 1500 m.
  • Temperature: 10 to 35 degree C
  • Rainfall: 1500 to 4000 mm
  • The growth of cardamom is enhanced when planted in humus rich soils with low to medium available phosphorous and medium to high available potassium.
• Cardamom seeds are small and light in color, unlike black pepper, which has larger and darker seeds.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/cardamom/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Option B is correct. Tissue culture allows for the rapid multiplication of plants by propagating them from small pieces of tissue, such as stems or leaves, in a nutrient-rich medium. This method can produce numerous identical plants in a relatively short period, making it advantageous for commercial plant production. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because tissue culture can actually lead to increased genetic variation through somaclonal variation and does not depend on natural pollination. While there are costs and complexities associated with tissue culture, it is still widely used due to its benefits.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/tissue-culture/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Option A accurately distinguishes tissue culture from cloning. Tissue culture involves the growth of cells, tissues, or organs in a controlled environment outside of the organism’s body, allowing for various applications such as plant propagation, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical production. On the other hand, cloning specifically refers to the process of creating genetically identical copies of an organism, typically using a somatic cell nucleus and an egg cell devoid of genetic material. This process can lead to the replication of whole organisms, as seen in organisms like Dolly the sheep. Therefore, option A provides a clear distinction between tissue culture and cloning by highlighting their respective processes and purposes.
• Click here to know more about differences between cloning and tissue culture.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/tissue-culture/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The world’s most powerful MRI scanner, located in France, has produced its first images of the human brain, offering unprecedented precision.
• Key feature of MRI Scanner:
  • Unprecedented Resolution: In just four minutes, the machine captures highly detailed anatomical images with a resolution of 2 mm in plane and 1 mm slice thickness, equivalent to a few thousand neurons.
  • Medical Impact: The detailed imaging capabilities can aid in research on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
  • Advanced Detection: The machine facilitates the detection of chemical species like lithium and molecules involved in brain metabolism, enhancing diagnostics and treatment efficacy.
• What is an MRI Scanner?
  • An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner is a medical device that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to generate detailed images of the inside of the body, particularly the soft tissues like the brain, muscles, and organs.
• How does it work?
  • When a patient enters the MRI machine, their body’s hydrogen atoms align with the magnetic field. Radio waves are then used to temporarily disrupt this alignment. When the radio waves are turned off, the hydrogen atoms return to their aligned state, emitting energy that is detected by the scanner.
• Different tissues emit different signals based on their hydrogen atom density and molecular environment, allowing the scanner to create detailed images that physicians can use to diagnose various medical conditions.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/03/mri-scan-image-of-human-brain/