UPSC required Daily Topic Quiz : Science & Technology MCQs on Ageing, Bleeding Eye Virus & More (Week 88) | UPSC Current Affairs News

1. Decreased gastrointestinal motility

2. Increase in saliva secretion

3. Nutrient malabsorption

How many of the above affect digestion in old age?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

explanation

– As we age, our bodies undergo a variety of physiological changes, including changes in the digestive system. These changes can have a major impact on digestive function, resulting in pain and reduced nutrient absorption.

– Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietitian and diabetes educator, says understanding these changes is important to managing age-related digestive disorders and maintaining optimal gut health.

– Gastrointestinal motility decline: As people age, the muscles in their digestive tract, especially those in the intestines, weaken. This slows the flow of food through the system, resulting in constipation or, in certain circumstances, diarrhea. Low muscle tone in the colon can also cause discomfort and slow digestion. Therefore, 1 is correct.

– Less salivation: Saliva is responsible for breaking down food and lubricating it to make it easier to swallow. Saliva secretion decreases with age, making it difficult to chew and swallow food. This can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption. Therefore, 2 is not correct.

– Changes in gastric acid production: Older people often experience a decrease in stomach acid production, which is needed to break down food and absorb minerals such as protein, calcium and vitamin B12. This drop can result in indigestion, bloating and gas.

– Nutrient absorption: As we age, the intestinal surface area decreases, as does the efficiency with which nutrients are absorbed. This can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, calcium and iron. Therefore, 3 is correct.

– Weak immune system: As immune function declines with age, the digestive system becomes more susceptible to infection, exacerbating gastrointestinal problems.

– Bowel motility: Weak bowel muscles can lead to slow bowel movements and constipation. The rhythmic contractions that move food through the digestive tract become less efficient, which contributes to constipation.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Question 2

Which of the following statements regarding fertility is/are correct?

1. Prolonged exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) significantly affects female fertility.

2. Prolonged exposure to road traffic noise affects men, especially those over 35.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

explanation

– A new study published in the journal BMJ has linked two common environmental factors, air pollution and road traffic noise, to infertility in both men and women.

– The study showed Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) has a significant effect on male fertility, while extended exposure to road traffic noise has a greater effect on women, especially those over 35 years of age. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are not. correct

– According to the researchers, “In men, we found that exposure to PM 2.5 was associated with a higher risk of infertility, with hazard ratios of similar size in the two age groups investigated (30-36.9 and 37-45 years).”

– It also said, “Among women, noise was associated with a higher risk of infertility in the 35-45 age group, while there was no association in the 30-34.9 age group.”

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Question 3

Which of the following viruses is also known as ‘bleeding eye’ virus?

(a) Avian influenza

(b) Hepatitis B virus

(c) Marburg virus

(d) Hepatitis E virus

explanation

— As of November 29, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health says an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) has killed at least 15 people and infected at least 66 others.

– MVD, sometimes known as “bleeding eye virus.” It is one of the worst diseases that can infect humans. Case fatality rates in previous outbreaks ranged from 24% to 88%, depending on the type of virus and case care. The first case in Rwanda this year was recorded in September.

– Marburg is a filovirus, like Ebola. Both infections are clinically similar and, while rare, can cause high-fatality epidemics.

— The first recognized MVD outbreak occurred in 1967 in Marburg, Germany. Since then, successive outbreaks have been recorded largely in Africa, most recently in Tanzania, Ghana and now Rwanda.

— The World Health Organization lists MVD as one of the infections that pose the greatest threat to public health and for which no suitable treatments or vaccines exist.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Question 4

Regarding H5N1, consider the following statements:

1. It is also known as avian flu.

2. The virus did not come from mainland Antarctica.

3. Cases of human-to-human transmission have been recorded.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

explanation

– An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in North America has countries outside the United States on alert.

– bird flu, Often referred to as avian fluAn infectious viral infection that mainly affects and spreads in poultry and some wild birds. There are several strains of bird flu virus that have been circulating for a long time in at least 100 bird species, including wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese, with little to no harm. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

– Sometimes, a strain of the flu virus spreads from wild birds to poultry farms and replicates in overcrowded barns of farmed animals. It then rapidly evolves into a highly lethal flu virus, causing a greater wave of illness and death in birds than usual.

– A new variant of H5N1 first appeared in Europe in 2020 and then rapidly spread to Europe, Africa and Asia. By the end of 2021, it had spread to North America and in the fall of 2022, it appeared in South America. In February 2024, the virus spread through mainland Antarctica. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

– However No cases of human-to-human transmission have been reportedThere are fears that the H5N1 variant is just one mutation away from being a serious public health threat. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Question 5

Regarding Proba-3, consider the following statements:

1. The mission will attempt a “precision formation flight” for the first time, where two satellites will fly together and maintain a fixed configuration in space.

2. It will be launched by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

3. This is NASA’s latest solar mission.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

explanation

– The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched it The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission on its PSLV rocket to study the solar corona, the outermost and hottest part of the Sun’s atmosphere, from Sriharikota on December 4. So statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is not correct.

– The mission will also attempt the first “precision formation flight,” in which two spacecraft fly together and maintain a stable configuration in space. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

— This is the most recent solar mission in ESA’s Proba program. Its predecessors, Proba-1 (also launched by ISRO) and Proba-2, debuted in 2001 and 2009 respectively. Scientists from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy and Switzerland collaborated on Proba-3.

– Proba-3, developed at an estimated cost of 200 million euros, is planned to have a mission life of two years. It will be launched into a highly elliptical orbit measuring approximately 600 x 60,530 km, with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.

– The mission involves two satellites that will be launched together, separated and then flown in tandem. They will then construct a solar coronagraph, a device that blocks the sun’s bright light, revealing surrounding objects and the atmosphere.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Topic-Topic-Quiz

Daily Topic-Wise Quiz – History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 88)

Daily Topical Quiz – Politics and Governance (Week 88)

Daily Thematic Quiz – Science and Technology (Week 87)

Daily Thematic Quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 87)

Daily Topical Quiz – Economics (Week 87)

Daily Topic Quiz – International Relations (Week 87)

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