Day-521 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Answer: D
Explanation:
● Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is toxic to humans and animals when inhaled. It is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, wood, and coal. It is highly flammable and can ignite at low concentrations. It is also explosive in high concentrations.It is slightly lighter than air and can accumulate in enclosed spaces such as garages or basements. CO is dangerous because it binds with hemoglobin in the blood more readily than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen that can be carried to vital organs and tissues. This can lead to symptoms ranging from mild headache and nausea to confusion, loss of consciousness, and even death.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) is a forum established by the Government of India to promote coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders in disaster risk reduction. The platform brings together representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, private sector, media, and civil society to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop strategies to mitigate the impact of disasters.
● The NPDRR was established in 2005 in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to disaster risk reduction. The platform is chaired by the Union Home Minister and meets every two years to review the progress made in disaster risk reduction and to identify gaps and challenges that need to be addressed. Hence, statement 1 is correct and 2 is incorrect.
FUNCTIONS:
● To review the progress made in the field of disaster management from time to time.
● To appreciate the extent and manner in which the Disaster Management Policy has been implemented by the Central and State Governments, and other concerned agencies, and to give appropriate advice in the matter.
● To advise on coordination between the Central and State Governments/UT Administrations, local self-governments and civil society organizations for Disaster Risk Reduction.
● To advice suo-moto or on a reference made by the Central Government or any other State Government or a Union territory Administration on any question pertaining to disaster management.
● To review the National Disaster Management Policy. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● The World Economic Forum (WEF) published its report titled “Mission 2070: A Green New Deal for a Net-Zero India” to provide a roadmap for India’s energy transition. The report was published in the backdrop of India’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. This target was committed by the Prime Minister at the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow.
Key Findings of the report:
● Report highlights that India’s transition towards a green economy could contribute about $1 trillion in economic impact by 2030. It will create more than 50 million jobs.
● The economic impact would increase to $15 trillion by 2070.
● Report notes that India’s commitments are a critical foundation for achieving the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming target.
● India is on the frontline of climate change. More Indians are exposed to negative effects of climate change and extreme weather events as compared to other nationalities.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● Amensalism is a type of interaction between organisms where one species is negatively affected while the other is unaffected. In this case, a plant releasing chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants is an example of amensalism, as the plant is negatively affecting the growth of other plants without being affected itself. A spider capturing and eating a fly, a bee collecting nectar from a flower, and a predator avoiding a prey species that is distasteful are examples of predation, mutualism, and prey defense, respectively, and not amensalism.

Answer: C
Explanation:
● Sea slugs are a diverse group of marine gastropod mollusks that are known for their colorful and intricate body patterns and forms. They are soft-bodied and lack a protective shell, which makes them vulnerable to predation, but they have evolved a range of defensive mechanisms such as toxic secretions, camouflage, and mimicry to deter predators.
● Sea slugs are found in a variety of marine habitats, from shallow coral reefs to deep-sea environments, and they play important ecological roles as herbivores, predators, and decomposers.
● Sea slugs, like other organisms, have the ability to acquire genetic material from other organisms through a process known as horizontal gene transfer. In the case of sea slugs, they have been found to incorporate genes from their algal food sources into their own genome. This allows sea slugs to produce chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis, a process that is typically only found in plants and algae. This unique ability is known as kleptoplasty and is thought to have evolved as a way for sea slugs to survive periods of food scarcity. By incorporating functional genes from their food, they can continue to produce energy through photosynthesis even when food is scarce. The ability to steal genes from other organisms is just one of the many fascinating adaptations that make sea slugs such interesting creatures.