Top 50 UPSC Prelims Science Questions are given below :
1. ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?
a) It is used in developing gene-silencing therapies.
b) It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
c) It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
d) It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1, 2 and 4
b) 2 and 3
c) 1 and 3
d) 1 and 4 only
Answer : (a)
2. What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?
a) Molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing
b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients
c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops
Answer : (a)
3. With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of `genome sequencing’, often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future?
1) Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants.
2) This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop plants.
3) It can be used to decipher the host pathogen relationships in crops.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (d)
4. What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
a) Production of biolarvicides
b) Manufacture of biodegradable plastics
c) Reproductive cloning of animals
d) Production of organisms free of diseases
Answer : (c)
5. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to
a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing
b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression
d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells
Answer : (b)
6. Consider the following techniques / phenomena:
1) Budding and grafting in fruit plants
2) Cytoplasmic male sterility
3) Gene silencing Which of the above is /are used to create transgenic crops?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3
c) 1 and 3
d) None
Answer : (b)
7. With reference to ‘stem cells’ frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) Stem cells can be derived from mammals only.
2) Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs.
3) Stem cells can be used for medical therapies.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (b)
8. Which one of the following techniques can be used to establish the paternity of a child?
a) Protein analysis
b) Chromosome counting
c) Quantitative analysis of DNA
d) DNA fingerprinting
Answer : (d)
9. In the context of which one of the following are the terms ‘pyrolysis and plasma gasification’ mentioned?
a) Extraction of rare earth elements
b) Natural gas extraction technologies
c) Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles
d) Waste-to-energy technologies
Answer : (d)
10. In the context of alternative sources of energy, ethanol as a viable bio-fuel can be obtained from
a) Potato
b) Rice
c) Sugarcane
d) Wheat
Answer : (c)
11. With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:
1) ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
2) Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3) India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None
Answer : (a)
12. Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?
1) Genetic predisposition of some people
2) Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
3) Using antibiotics in livestock farming
4) Multiple chronic diseases in some people
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4
d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer : (d)
13. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.
b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.
c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.
d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.
Answer : (b)
14. Consider the following statements:
1) In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
2) Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (c)
15. Viruses can infect
1) Bacteria
2) Fungi
3) Plants
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 and 2
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Answer : (d)
16. With reference to the use of nanotechnology in health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.
2) Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (c)
17. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?
a) AIDS
b) Bird Flu
c) Dengue
d) Swine Flu
Answer : (d)
18. Consider the following diseases
1) Diphtheria
2) Chicken Pox
3) Small Pox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None
Answer : (b)
19. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the generation of energy.
2) Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic medium.
3) Viruses are transmitted from one organism to another by biological vectors only.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (a)
20. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing?
1) Chikungunya
2) Hepatitis B
3) HIV-AIDS
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (b)
21. A company marketing food product advertises that its do not contain transfats. What does this campaign signify to the customers?
1) The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils
2) The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils
3) The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (d)
22. With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumors, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news .
In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct ?
a) It is a robotic image guided system
b) It delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation.
c) It has the capability of achieving submillimetre accuracy.
d) It can map the spread of tumor in the body
Answer : (b)
23. Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine ?
a) Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium
b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria
d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host.
Answer : (b)
24. Consider the following statements:
1) Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV /AIDS
2) Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (c)
25. Consider the following statements:
1) Meningococcal Meningitis is transmitted from person to person by mosquito bites.
2) Vomiting and neck pain are two of the symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (b)
26. Pneumoconiosis affects the workers who work mainly in
a) Tanneries
b) Coal mining industry
c) Distilleries
d) Glass industry
Answer : (b)
27. Consider the following statements:
1) Dengue is a protozoan disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
2) Retro-orbital pain is not a symptom of dengue.
3) Skin rash and bleeding from nose and gums are some of the symptoms of dengue.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2
b) 3 only
c) 2 only
d) 1 and 3
Answer : (b)
28. Which of the following diseases of milching animals are infectious ?
1) Foot and mouth disease
2) Anthrax
3) Black Quarter
4) Cowpox
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2, 3 and 4
c) 1 and 4
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer : (d)
29. “Athlete’s Foot” is a disease’ caused by
a) Bacteria
b) Fungus
c) Protozoan
d) Nematode
Answer : (b)
30. Which one of the following genetic diseases is sex-linked?
a) Royal haemophilia
b) Tay-Sachs disease
c) Cystic fibrosis
d) Hypertension
Answer : (a)
31. Haemophilia is a genetic disorder which leads to
a) decrease in haemoglobin level
b) rheumatic heart disease
c) decrease in WBC
d) non-clotting of blood
Answer : (d)
32. The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of
a) Observation and understanding of the Universe
b) Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
c) Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
d) Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth
Answer : (a)
33. An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of earth
a) Does not exist at such distance
b) Is neutralized by the attraction of the moon
c) Provides the necessary speed for its steady motion
d) Provides the necessary acceleration for its motion
Answer : (d)
34. A ‘black hole’ is a body in space which does not allow any radiation to come out. This property is due to its:
a) very small size
b) very large size
c) very high density
d) very low size
Answer : (c)
35. In the context of digital technologies for entertainment, consider the following statements:
1) In Augmented Reality (AR) , a simulated environment is created and the physical world is completely shut out.
2) In Virtual Reality (VR), images generated from a computer are projected onto real life objects or surroundings.
3) AR allows individuals to be present in the world and improves the experience using the camera of smart-phone or PC.
4) VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, providing complete immersion experience.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 and 4
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 4 only
Answer : (b)
36. With reference to ‘LiFi’, recently in the news, which of the following statement is/are correct?
1) It uses light as the medium for high speed data transmission.
2) It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than ‘WiFi’.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (c)
37. With reference to ‘Bitcoins’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries.
2) Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address.
3) Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of other.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (b)
38. With reference to ‘Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) It is a contactless communication technology uses electromagnetic radio fields.
2) NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other.
3) NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (c)
39. What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices?
a) Bluetooth uses 2-4GHz radio frequency hand, whereas Wi-Fi can use 2-4GHz or 5GHz frequency band
b) Bluetooth is used for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) only, whereas Wi-Fi is used for Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN) only
c) When information is transmitted between two devices using Blue-tooth technology, the devices have to be in the line of sight of each other, but when Wi-Fi technology is used the devices need not be in the line of sight of each other
d) The statements (a) and (b) given above are correct in this context
Answer : (a)
40. What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp?
1) To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapor and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semiconductor material.
2) The average life span of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp.
3) A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (c)
41. A new optical disc format known as the Blu-ray Disc (BD) is becoming popular. In what way is it different from the traditional DVD?
1) DVD supports Standard Definition video while BD supports High Definition video.
2) Compared to a DVD, the BD format has several times more storage capacity
3) Thickness of BD is 2.4mm while that of DVD is 1.2mm.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (b)
42. What is “Virtual Private Network”?
a) It is a private computer network of an organisation where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organisation
b) It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organisation’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted
c) It is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider
d) None of the above
Answer : (a)
43. Which among the following do/does not belong/ belongs to the GSM family of wireless technologies?
a) EDGE
b) LTE
c) DSL
d) Both EDGE and LTE
Answer : (c)
44. WiMAX is related to which one of the following
a) Biotechnology
b) Space technology
c) Missile technology
d) Communication technology
Answer : (d)
45. Consider the following:
1) Carbon monoxide
2) Methane
3) Ozone
4) Sulphur dioxide
Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1 and 4 ‘only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer : (d)
46. Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night?
a) Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth’s surface.
b) Clouds reflect back the Earth’s radiation.
c) The Earth’s surface would have the low temperature on cloudy nights.
d) Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.
Answer : (b)
47. Consider the following statements:
1) The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed every few hundred thousand years.
2) When the Earth was created more than 4000 million years ago, there was 54% oxygen and no carbon dioxide.
3) When living organisms originated, they modified the early atmosphere of the Earth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (c)
48. A satellite is said to be in geostationary orbit when:
1) The orbit is geosynchronous
2) The orbit is circular
3) The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator
4) The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 1, 3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer : (a)
49. Foot and Mouth Disease in animals, a current epidemic in some parts of the world, is caused by
a) Bacterium
b) Fungus
c) Protozoan
d) virus
Answer : (d)
50. Antigen is a substance which
a) destroys harmful bacteria
b) is used to treat poisoning
c) lowers body temperature
d) stimulates formation of antibody
Answer : (d)
Also refer:
- BIODIVERSITY And CONSERVATION
- List Of Tiger Reserves In India
- Ramsar Sites In India
- Important Multiple Choice Questions On Water Pollution
- Important Multiple Choice Questions On Air Pollution
