General Science/Everyday Science MCQs
Topic Notes: General Science/Everyday Science
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
21
Which phylum includes insects, spiders, and crustaceans?
Answer:
Arthropoda
Arthropods share a body plan consisting of a head, thorax, and abdomen (in most), jointed limbs, and an external skeleton.
22
What is the primary difference between 'Classical' and 'Operant' conditioning?
Answer:
Classical involves involuntary responses to stimuli, while Operant involves voluntary behaviors and their consequences
In classical conditioning, the animal is passive; in operant conditioning, the animal's own actions determine the outcome.
23
Which vertebrate class has 'gills' in the larval stage and 'lungs' or 'skin' for breathing as adults?
Answer:
Amphibia
Amphibians are 'dual-life' animals, undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis from an aquatic tadpole to a semi-terrestrial adult.
24
What is 'Infanticide' in some animal social groups (e.g., lions) usually driven by?
Answer:
Eliminating offspring of a previous male to bring females back into estrus and ensure the current male's paternity
While shocking, this behavior is an evolutionary strategy that increases the reproductive success of the new pride leader.
25
Which group of animals has an 'open' circulatory system where blood (hemolymph) bathes organs directly?
Answer:
Arthropods and most Mollusks
In these animals, hemolymph is pumped into a body cavity (hemocoel), where it exchanges gases and nutrients directly with tissues before returning to the heart.
26
In behavior, a 'stimulus-response chain' refers to:
Answer:
A sequence of behaviors where each response acts as the stimulus for the next action
Common in courtship rituals, the action of one partner triggers a specific response in the other, which then triggers the next step in the dance.
27
Which phylum is known for 'bioluminescence' in many marine species and uses 'comb rows' of cilia for swimming?
Answer:
Ctenophora
Ctenophores (comb jellies) are distinct from jellyfish; they lack cnidocytes and move using the largest cilia-based system in the animal kingdom.
28
What is the 'Selfish Herd' theory?
Answer:
Individuals group together to hide behind others, reducing their personal chance of being caught by a predator
This theory explains grouping behavior as a result of individual self-interest rather than a conscious effort to cooperate.
29
Which of the following is an 'Agnathan'?
Answer:
Lamprey
Lampreys are jawless vertebrates that often live as parasites, using a sucker-like mouth to attach to other fish.
30
The 'Vigilance Effect' (or Many-Eyes Hypothesis) suggests that animals in groups:
Answer:
Spend less time scanning for predators because someone is always watching
In a group, an individual can spend more time feeding because the collective monitoring of the group increases the chance of early predator detection.