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 of the following is a 'biotic' factor in an ecosystem?
Answer:
Predators
Biotic factors are living or once-living parts of an ecosystem, such as animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi.
22
What is 'Gross Primary Productivity' (GPP)?
Answer:
The total amount of solar energy captured by photosynthesis per unit area per unit time.
GPP is the 'total income' of energy for an ecosystem. However, plants must spend some of this energy for their own survival (respiration).
23
Which biome is characterized by 'perennial' grasses and 'rich' organic soil?
Answer:
Temperate Grassland
The deep, nutrient-rich soil of temperate grasslands makes them some of the most productive agricultural lands in the world.
24
Which nutrient cycle is driven largely by 'weathering'?
Answer:
Phosphorus
Weathering of rocks releases phosphate into the soil and water, which is then taken up by plants and enters the food web.
25
What is 'Trophic Level 4' usually composed of?
Answer:
Tertiary Consumers (Apex Predators)
Tertiary consumers feed on secondary consumers. Because energy is lost at each step, there are fewer organisms at this level than at lower levels.
26
Which of the following is an example of 'Parasitoidism'?
Answer:
A wasp that lays eggs inside a caterpillar; the larvae eat the host as they grow.
Parasitoids are different from typical parasites because they almost always kill their host. This is commonly seen in certain insects used for biological pest control.
27
What is 'Succession' in an ecosystem?
Answer:
The predictable replacement of one community by another over time.
Ecological succession describes how an area changes over time, usually starting with hardy pioneer species and ending with a stable climax community.
28
Which zone of a lake is near the shore and has rooted plants?
Answer:
Littoral zone
The littoral zone is the shallow, well-lit area where light reaches the bottom, allowing for the growth of emergent and submerged aquatic plants.
29
What is 'Endomycorrhiza'?
Answer:
A fungus that lives inside the root cells of a plant to help it absorb nutrients.
This is a mutualistic relationship. The fungus extends into the soil to gather nutrients like phosphorus and delivers them directly into the plant's cells.
30
Which process is the main cause of 'Algal Blooms' in freshwater lakes?
Answer:
Runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers
When excess nutrients enter a lake, they remove the 'limiting factor' for algae. The algae grow uncontrollably, often turning the water green and eventually leading to oxygen depletion.