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General ScienceEasyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper I

The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of

  1. A.genes introduced in the genetically modified plants
  2. B.development of India's own satellite navigation system
  3. C.radio collars for wildlife tracking
  4. D.spread of viral diseases

Correct answer

D. spread of viral diseases

Explanation

The correct answer is D, spread of viral diseases. ACE2 is the receptor through which the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, enters human cells. ACE2 stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a protein on the surface of cells in the lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and gut, where it normally helps control blood pressure. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, and of the earlier SARS virus, binds to ACE2 like a key in a lock, and this lets the virus fuse with the cell and infect it. That is why ACE2 was widely discussed during the pandemic, and many vaccines and drugs target the spike's binding to it. Option A is wrong because genes used in GM crops, such as Bt or barnase, have different names. Option B is wrong because India's satellite navigation system is NavIC, earlier called IRNSS. Option C is wrong because radio collars are GPS or VHF tracking devices, with no link to ACE2. Exam tip: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein + ACE2 receptor = entry of the virus into human cells.

Practice Questions

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Q1.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs : (Commonly used / consumed materials : Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them) 1. Lipstick : Lead 2. Soft drinks : Brominated vegetable oils 3. Chinese fast food : Monosodium glutamate Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

Each product has been linked to the chemical paired with it. Lead has been found as a trace contaminant in many lipsticks, coming from colour pigments; since lipstick is swallowed in small amounts, regular use raises concern because lead is a toxic heavy metal that harms the nervous system.

Q2.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2023, GKMedium

Which one of the following is not true for anodizing process?

  1. A.It makes aluminium corrosion resistant.
  2. B.Metals like aluminium, titanium and magnesium can be anodized.
  3. C.Clean aluminium article is the anode and oxygen gas is evolved at the cathode.
  4. D.It is used in aircraft industry.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Clean aluminium article is the anode and oxygen gas is evolved at the cathode.

In anodizing the clean aluminium article is indeed the anode, but oxygen is released at the anode, not at the cathode; hydrogen is released at the cathode.

Q3.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. A.The response of the ear to sound of increasing intensity is approximately logarithmic.
  2. B.The sensitivity of the human ear does not vary with the frequency of the sound.
  3. C.When two or more waves traverse the same medium, the displacement of any element of the medium is the algebraic sum of the displacements due to each wave.
  4. D.Longitudinal waves can travel in all media—solids, liquids and gases.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The sensitivity of the human ear does not vary with the frequency of the sound.

The statement that the sensitivity of the human ear does not vary with frequency is false, because the ear is far more sensitive to some frequencies than to others.

Q4.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKEasy

Kwashiorkor disease in children is caused by

  1. A.sufficient carbohydrates but less fats in diet
  2. B.sufficient carbohydrates and fats but deficient proteins in diet
  3. C.sufficient vitamins but deficient fats in diet
  4. D.sufficient fats but deficient vitamins in diet
Show answer
Correct answer: B. sufficient carbohydrates and fats but deficient proteins in diet

Kwashiorkor is a disease of protein deficiency in a child who still gets enough calories. It usually appears when a child is weaned from breast milk onto a starchy diet with little protein.

Q5.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2023, GKMedium

Which one of the following is the correct order of pH for the given substances?

  1. A.Coffee < Lemon juice < Milk of magnesia < Blood
  2. B.Milk of magnesia < Blood < Coffee < Lemon juice
  3. C.Lemon juice < Blood < Coffee < Milk of magnesia
  4. D.Lemon juice < Coffee < Blood < Milk of magnesia
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Lemon juice < Coffee < Blood < Milk of magnesia

Arranged from most acidic to most basic, the four substances fall in exactly this order. Lemon juice, rich in citric acid, has a pH of about 2 to 2.5.