General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
11
Who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for the discovery of quasicrystals?
Answer:
Dan Shechtman
Shechtman discovered patterns in atoms that were ordered but not repeating, which was previously thought impossible.
12
Max von Laue won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1914 for his discovery of:
Answer:
The diffraction of X-rays by crystals
This discovery proved that X-rays are electromagnetic waves and enabled the study of crystal structures (X-ray crystallography).
13
Who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1998 for discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system?
Answer:
Furchgott, Ignarro, and Murad
They discovered that a gas, nitric oxide, acts as a signal to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
14
Hermann Joseph Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1946 for the discovery that mutations can be induced by:
Answer:
X-ray irradiation
Muller proved that X-rays caused genetic mutations in fruit flies, highlighting the dangers of radiation.
15
Roger Sperry won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1981 for his discoveries concerning:
Answer:
The functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres (Split Brain)
Sperry showed that the left and right hemispheres of the brain have different functions.
16
Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of:
Answer:
Hepatitis C virus
Their discovery led to blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives from liver cirrhosis and cancer.
17
Who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2017 for discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm?
Answer:
Hall, Rosbash, and Young
They identified the genes and proteins that act as the biological clock in organisms.
18
Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie, and Roger Y. Tsien won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2008 for the discovery and development of:
Answer:
Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)
GFP, originally from jellyfish, is used as a glowing marker to visualize processes inside living cells.
19
Who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 for the design and synthesis of molecular machines?
Answer:
Sauvage, Stoddart, and Feringa
They developed molecules with controllable movements, which can perform a task when energy is added (e.g., a molecular car).
20
John C. Mather and George F. Smoot won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006 for their work on:
Answer:
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
Using the COBE satellite, they showed the blackbody form and anisotropy of the CMB, supporting the Big Bang theory.