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BPSC 2014 — Science & Technology Questions with Answers

All 16 Science & Technology previous-year questions from BPSC 2014, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Renewable Energy

   With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1, 2 and 3
   • d)None

   Explanation: Photovoltaics directly converts light to electricity while solar thermal uses heat; PV gives DC not AC, and India has PV manufacturing, so only statement 1 is correct.

2. Q2.Health & Diseases

   Consider the following diseases: 1. Diphtheria 2. Chickenpox 3. Smallpox. 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

   Explanation: Among the listed diseases, only smallpox has been eradicated in India.

3. Q3.Biology

   Consider the following: 1. Bats 2. Bears 3. Rodents. The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)1, 2 and 3
   • d)Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above

   Explanation: Hibernation is seen in bats, bears and rodents among the options.

4. Q4.Defence Technology

   With reference to Agni-IV Missile, 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: Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface missile, but it uses solid propellant and has a range around 4000 km, so only statement 1 is correct.

5. Q5.Energy Resources

   With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: Both statements are wrong: shale gas is not just propane/butane, and India has identified shale gas potential, so neither statement is correct.

6. Q6.Biology

   With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements: 1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites. 2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents. 3. Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: Neem oil works as a pesticide and has pharmaceutical applications, but the biofuel/hospital-detergent claim is not accurate, so 1 and 3 are correct.

7. Q7.Biology

   Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

   • a)Potential energy is released and becomes available energy
   • b)Available energy is converted into potential energy and stored
   • c)Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water
   • d)Oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide and water vapor are released

   Explanation: In photosynthesis free (light) energy is converted into chemical potential energy and stored.

8. Q8.Information Technology

   In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be used in the biometric identification of a person? 1. Iris scanning 2. Retinal scanning 3. Voice recognition

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: Besides fingerprints, iris scanning, retinal scanning and voice recognition are all used in biometric identification.

9. Q9.Biology

   Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: Vegetative propagation yields clonal populations and can be done most of the year, but it does not eliminate viruses, so 1 and 3 are correct.

10. Q10.Space

    Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Spacecraft and Purpose: 1. Cassini-Huygens - Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth; 2. Messenger - Mapping and investigating the Mercury; 3. Voyager 1 and 2 - Exploring the outer solar system

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 and 3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Messenger mapped Mercury and Voyager 1 and 2 explored the outer solar system; Cassini-Huygens went to Saturn, not Venus, so only 2 and 3 are correct.

11. Q11.Chemistry

    Which of the following is/are the example/examples of chemical change? 1. Crystallization of sodium chloride 2. Melting of ice 3. Souring of milk

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)3 only
    • c)1, 2 and 3
    • d)None

    Explanation: Among the options, only the souring of milk is a chemical change.

12. Q12.Biotechnology

    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

    Explanation: Cytoplasmic male sterility and gene silencing are used in creating transgenic crops, so 2 and 3 are correct.

13. Q13.Agriculture

    Consider the following statements: 1. Maize can be used for the production of starch. 2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel. 3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.

    • a)1 only
    • b)1 and 2 only
    • c)2 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Maize can yield starch, biodiesel feedstock oil and alcoholic beverages, so all three statements are correct.

14. Q14.Biology

    Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?

    • a)Crab
    • b)Mite
    • c)Scorpion
    • d)Spider

    Explanation: A crab is a crustacean, while mites, scorpions and spiders are arachnids, so the crab does not belong to the class of the other three.

15. Q15.Biology

    Consider the following pairs of Vitamin and Deficiency disease: 1. Vitamin C - Scurvy; 2. Vitamin D - Rickets; 3. Vitamin E - Night blindness. Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy and Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets; Vitamin E deficiency does not cause night blindness, so only 1 and 2 are correct.

16. Q16.Nanotechnology

    There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? 1. They can accumulate in the environment and contaminate water and soil. 2. They can enter the food chains. 3. They can trigger the production of free radicals.

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Nanoparticles can accumulate and contaminate water/soil, enter food chains and trigger free-radical production, so all three concerns are valid.