Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) Oct 20, 2025
Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) Oct 20, 2025
Q1. With reference to porous crystalline materials used in advanced applications, consider the following statements:
These materials can be designed with cavities that selectively capture specific gas molecules.
Metal ions act as structural nodes connected by organic molecules to form these frameworks.
They are exclusively used for water purification and have no application in carbon capture.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q2. Consider the following statements about ultrafast light pulses used in scientific research:
These pulses can capture electron movements occurring in less than one quintillionth of a second.
The duration of such pulses is approximately equal to one billionth of a second.
Such technology enables observation of processes inside atoms and molecules.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to gene regulation in multicellular organisms, consider the following:
Small RNA molecules play a crucial role in controlling protein synthesis after transcription.
The human genome contains instructions for over one thousand types of such regulatory RNA molecules.
These molecules work by entering the cell nucleus and directly modifying DNA sequences.
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
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding nanoscale semiconductor particles:
The color of light emitted by such particles depends on their physical size.
Larger particles emit blue light while smaller particles emit red light.
These particles are used in modern display technologies and medical imaging.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q5. With reference to India’s recent lunar exploration mission, consider the following statements:
The mission successfully achieved a soft landing in the lunar south polar region.
The lander and rover were designed to operate for one lunar day, equivalent to about 14 Earth days.
The mission carried instruments to study lunar seismic activity and thermal properties of the surface.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q6. Consider the following statements about India’s first dedicated solar observatory mission:
The spacecraft is positioned at a Lagrange point approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
It carries payloads to study only the visible photosphere of the Sun.
The mission aims to understand coronal mass ejections and their impact on space weather.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q7. With reference to a novel vaccine platform technology, consider the following statements:
These vaccines introduce synthetic genetic instructions into cells to produce specific proteins.
The genetic material enters the cell nucleus and permanently integrates with chromosomal DNA.
Lipid nanoparticles are used to protect and deliver the active component into cells.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding a revolutionary genome editing technology:
It uses guide RNA molecules to direct nuclease enzymes to specific DNA sequences.
The technology can only introduce gene deletions and cannot add new genetic sequences.
It has been approved for clinical treatment of certain genetic blood disorders.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q9. With reference to an emerging computational paradigm, consider the following statements:
It exploits quantum mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement.
Basic units of information in such systems can exist in multiple states simultaneously.
India has launched a National Mission to develop intermediate-scale systems with 50-1000 physical qubits.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q10. Consider the following statements about applications of technology at the nanoscale (1-100 nm) in healthcare:
Nanoparticles can be designed for targeted drug delivery to specific diseased cells, reducing side effects.
Gold and iron oxide nanoparticles are used to enhance contrast in medical imaging techniques.
Such technologies have no application in cancer treatment as they cannot withstand body temperature.
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 KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS
Q1. Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials where metal ions function as cornerstones linked by long organic molecules. By varying the building blocks, these materials can be designed to capture and store specific substances like gases.
Statement 3 is incorrect. MOFs have diverse applications beyond water purification. They can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, harvest water from desert air, store hydrogen and other gases, catalyze chemical reactions, and separate PFAS from water. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 was awarded for the development of these materials with potential to address major global challenges.
Q2. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Attosecond pulses (one attosecond = 10^-18 seconds or one quintillionth of a second) enable scientists to observe incredibly brief events in the realm of electrons. There are as many attoseconds in one second as there have been seconds since the birth of the universe. These brief pulses can capture images of processes happening inside atoms and molecules, making them invaluable tools for studying electron dynamics.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The duration is not one billionth of a second (which is a nanosecond). Attosecond pulses are much shorter – one quintillionth of a second. In fact, one thousand attoseconds equal one femtosecond (10^-15 seconds). This technology has applications in materials science, electronics, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications.
Q3. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional gene regulation. They play a crucial role in determining how much of a certain protein is synthesized in each cell. It is now known that the human genome codes for over 1,000 different microRNAs, which are fundamental to how organisms develop and function.
Statement 3 is incorrect. MicroRNAs do NOT enter the cell nucleus or modify DNA sequences. They work in the cytoplasm by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules and either blocking their translation into proteins or causing their degradation. This mechanism allows cells to fine-tune protein production without altering the genomic DNA. The discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2024.
Q4. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor particles just a few atoms in diameter. Their electrons have constrained movement due to their tiny size, which affects how they absorb and release visible light. The color they emit directly depends on the size of the particles – this is a quantum mechanical effect. They are extensively used in QLED displays, LED lamps, and medical imaging applications.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The relationship is the opposite: larger quantum dots shine RED, while smaller dots shine BLUE. This counterintuitive relationship occurs because of quantum confinement effects. When particles are smaller, electrons are more confined, leading to higher energy gaps and thus blue light emission. Larger particles have lower energy gaps and emit red light. This precise control over emission color based on size makes quantum dots valuable in display technologies and biological imaging.
Q5. Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three statements are correct. Chandrayaan-3 successfully achieved a soft landing on the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, making India the first nation to land on the lunar south polar region and the fourth country overall to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
The lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan) were designed to have a mission life of one lunar day (approximately 14 Earth days) as they operate on solar energy. The mission carried several scientific payloads including instruments to study lunar quakes (seismic activity), measure thermal properties of the lunar surface, study changes in plasma near the surface, and accurately measure the Earth-Moon distance. The landing site has been named “Shiv Shakti Point” and the mission represents a significant achievement in India’s space exploration capabilities.
Q6. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Aditya-L1, launched on September 2, 2023, is positioned in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1 (L1), located approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. This vantage point provides an uninterrupted view of the Sun. One of its major objectives is to understand the initiation of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), solar flares, and near-earth space weather, which can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads that study multiple layers of the Sun, not just the photosphere. These include instruments to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona using electromagnetic detectors, particle detectors, and magnetic field detectors. It uses various techniques including visible light coronagraphy, ultraviolet imaging, X-ray spectroscopy, and in-situ measurements of solar wind particles and magnetic fields. The mission represents India’s entry into space-based solar observation.
Q7. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. mRNA vaccines introduce synthetically created fragments of messenger RNA into the body. These mRNA molecules contain instructions for cells to produce specific viral proteins (antigens). The body’s cells use their ribosomes to read the mRNA and produce the target protein, triggering an immune response. The mRNA is delivered via co-formulation with lipid nanoparticles that protect the fragile RNA strands from degradation and facilitate their absorption into cells.
Statement 2 is incorrect and this is a critical distinction. The mRNA from vaccines does NOT enter the cell nucleus and does NOT integrate with or alter chromosomal DNA. The mRNA remains in the cytoplasm, where protein synthesis occurs. The body degrades the mRNA within a few days after introduction. This technology was successfully deployed in COVID-19 vaccines and represents a breakthrough in vaccinology, enabling rapid vaccine development against emerging pathogens.
Q8. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. CRISPR-Cas9 technology uses guide RNA (gRNA) to direct the Cas9 nuclease enzyme to specific target sequences in DNA, where it introduces a double-strand break. The guide RNA is designed to be complementary to the target DNA sequence, ensuring high specificity. In 2023, the first CRISPR-based drug, Casgevy, was approved in the United Kingdom and subsequently in the United States for treating sickle-cell disease and beta thalassemia, marking a historic milestone in gene therapy.
Statement 2 is incorrect. CRISPR technology is highly versatile and can perform multiple types of genetic modifications, not just deletions. In addition to gene knockout (deletion), it can facilitate gene knock-in (addition of new sequences) when a donor DNA template is provided through homologous recombination. CRISPR can also be used for base editing (changing single nucleotides), gene activation, gene repression, and epigenetic modifications. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for research, agriculture, and therapeutic applications.
Q9. Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three statements are correct. Quantum computing harnesses quantum mechanics principles, particularly superposition (where quantum bits or qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously) and entanglement (where qubits become correlated in ways impossible for classical bits). Unlike classical bits that are either 0 or 1, qubits can be in a superposition of both states, enabling parallel processing of multiple possibilities.
India launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in 2023 with a budget of Rs 6,000 crore, administered by the Ministry of Science & Technology for implementation from 2023-2031. A key objective is to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits over 8 years using superconducting and photonic technologies. The mission also aims to establish four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) at premier institutions focusing on quantum computing, communication, sensing & metrology, and materials & devices. India is the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission.
Q10. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Nanotechnology has revolutionized medicine through various applications. Nanoparticles such as liposomes, dendrimers, and micelles can be engineered for targeted drug delivery systems that precisely deliver therapeutics to diseased cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, thereby reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. Iron oxide nanoparticles provide enhanced contrast in MRI scans, gold nanoparticles improve CT scan visualization, and quantum dots enable highly sensitive fluorescence imaging.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Nanotechnology has extensive applications in cancer treatment. Gold and iron oxide nanoparticles are used in targeted chemotherapy, photothermal ablation (where nanoparticles absorb light and generate heat to destroy tumors), and magnetic hyperthermia. These nanoparticles are specifically designed to be biocompatible and stable at body temperature. Additional applications include biosensors for early cancer detection, nanoscale devices for minimally invasive procedures, tissue engineering scaffolds, and diagnostic tools at point-of-care.
