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General ScienceMediumAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper I

Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics: 1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast. 2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut. 3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.1 and 3
  4. D.2 and 3

Correct answer

C. 1 and 3

Explanation

The correct answer is C, 1 and 3. Probiotics include both bacteria and yeasts, and some of them help break down lactose, the sugar in milk.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that give a health benefit when eaten in adequate amounts. The common ones are lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, found in curd and fermented foods, and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Lactobacillus produces the enzyme lactase, which splits lactose into glucose and galactose, so curd is easier to digest than milk for people with lactose intolerance.

Statement 2 is wrong: the same kinds of bacteria live naturally in the human gut as part of its normal flora; probiotics only add to them.

A is wrong because it leaves out the true statement 3. B is wrong because statement 2 is false. D is wrong because it includes the false statement 2 and leaves out statement 1.

Exam tip: probiotic = live friendly microbes (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, yeast); prebiotic = the fibre that feeds them.

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Q1.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following actions :

1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously

2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive

3. Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode

In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: C. All three

An accelerometer measures acceleration, including the pull of gravity, and each of the three actions depends on reading it. An accelerometer is a small sensor, today usually a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) chip, that senses changes in speed and the direction of gravity.

Q2.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.

2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

Carbon fibre is widely used in cars and aircraft for its strength and low weight, and it can be recovered and recycled.