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BPSC 2013 — Science & Technology Questions with Answers
All 14 Science & Technology previous-year questions from BPSC 2013, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Science & Technology as a timed test →- Q1.Biotechnology
Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred. 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
Explanation: Recombinant DNA technology can transfer genes across species, from animals to plants, and from microbes to higher organisms, so all three apply.
- Q2.Microbiology
Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced by
- a)Bacteria
- b)Protozoa
- c)Fungi
- d)Virus
Explanation: Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by moulds (fungi), chiefly Aspergillus species.
- Q3.Human Diseases
Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? 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
Explanation: Hepatitis B and HIV-AIDS are blood-borne infections that can spread through tattooing needles; chikungunya is mosquito-borne.
- Q4.Human Body — Nutrition
Consider the following minerals. Which of the minerals given above is/are required by the human body for the contraction of muscles?
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Calcium, iron (in haemoglobin for oxygen delivery) and sodium are all involved in muscle contraction, so all three are required.
- Q5.Biology — Respiration
Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because
- a)Sunlight is not allowed to fall on them
- b)The concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment is increased
- c)The rate of respiration is reduced
- d)Humidity increases
Explanation: Cold storage slows the respiration of fruits, extending their storage life.
- Q6.Physics — Friction
Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc., because
- a)The actual area of contact between the wheel and the axle is increased
- b)The effective area of contact between the wheel and the axle is increased
- c)The effective area of contact between the wheel and the axle is reduced
- d)None of the above statements is correct
Explanation: Ball bearings reduce friction by minimizing the effective contact area between the wheel and axle, easing rotation.
- Q7.Physics — Optics
Consider the following phenomena. Which of the above are optical illusions?
- a)1, 2 and 3
- b)3, 4 and 5
- c)1, 2 and 4
- d)2, 3 and 5
Explanation: The enlarged sun at dusk, the reddened dawn sun and stellar twinkling are atmospheric optical illusions.
- Q8.Physics — Optics
Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this? Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: A rainbow forms through dispersion, refraction and total internal reflection of sunlight within raindrops, so all three apply.
- Q9.Botany
Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because
- a)The desired mineral substances are not present in the new soil
- b)Most root hairs grip the new soil more tightly
- c)Most root hairs are destroyed during transplantation
- d)Leaves are damaged during transplantation
Explanation: Transplanted seedlings often fail because many delicate root hairs are torn off during transplantation, hindering water uptake.
- Q10.Microbiology — Viruses
Consider the following statements about viruses. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Only the statement that viruses lack their own energy-generating enzymes is correct; viruses cannot grow on synthetic media and spread by various routes.
- Q11.Botany — Adaptations
Which of the following leaf modifications occurs/occur in desert areas to inhibit water loss? Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Desert plants curb water loss through waxy leaves, reduced or absent leaves and thorns, so all three modifications occur.
- Q12.Physics — Fundamental Forces
The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz., gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- a)Gravity is the strongest of the four.
- b)Electromagnetism acts only on particles with electric charge.
- c)The weak nuclear force is the cause of radioactivity (nuclear decay).
- d)The strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom.
Explanation: Gravity is actually the weakest of the four fundamental forces, so the statement calling it the strongest is incorrect.
- Q13.Particle Physics
The efforts to detect the existence of the Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/importances of discovering this particle? 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
Explanation: The Higgs boson's significance lies in explaining how elementary particles acquire mass; the teleportation and fission claims are baseless.
- Q14.Biotechnology — Mycorrhiza
Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to — 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
Explanation: Mycorrhizal associations help plants resist drought, tolerate pH extremes and resist disease, so all three benefits apply.
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