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
31
Which group of invertebrates has a 'water vascular system'?
Answer:
Echinoderms
This hydraulic system is unique to echinoderms, used for respiration, circulation, and movement.
32
A behavior that depends on a 'sensitive period' and involves learning specific characteristics of an individual is:
Answer:
Imprinting
Imprinting is a critical phase in the development of some animals where they learn basic behaviors, such as who their parent is or what their habitat looks like.
33
Which vertebrate class is characterized by having 'scales' made of keratin and laying 'leathery' eggs?
Answer:
Reptilia
Reptiles are fully adapted to life on land, using waterproof scales to prevent dehydration and shells to protect their eggs from drying out.
34
What is 'Aposematism'?
Answer:
Warning coloration used by toxic or dangerous animals
Vibrant colors (like those of the poison dart frog) signal to predators that the animal is unpalatable or dangerous, preventing attacks.
35
Which phylum includes roundworms that are often parasitic?
Answer:
Nematoda
Nematodes are unsegmented worms found in almost every environment. Many species are important parasites of plants and animals (e.g., Ascaris).
36
The 'Confusion Effect' is a defense mechanism used by:
Answer:
Groups of prey (like schools of fish) to overwhelm a predator's visual processing
By moving together in large, flashing numbers, prey make it difficult for a predator to focus on and catch a single target.
37
Animals that regulate their body temperature through internal metabolic processes are:
Answer:
Endotherms
Endothermy (found in birds and mammals) allows for high levels of activity and survival in varying climates but requires a high caloric intake.
38
Which behavior is an example of 'Innate' behavior in humans?
Answer:
Sucking reflex in infants
Reflexes are innate. The sucking reflex is present at birth and is essential for the survival of the newborn.
39
Which phylum is characterized by having 'jointed legs' and 'chitinous exoskeleton'?
Answer:
Arthropoda
Arthropods are the most successful animal phylum, using their hard exoskeleton for protection and jointed appendages for a wide variety of tasks.
40
What is 'Hamilton's Rule' used for?
Answer:
To predict when natural selection will favor altruism based on relatedness and cost-benefit analysis (rB > C)
The rule states that altruism is favored if the benefit to the recipient multiplied by relatedness exceeds the cost to the altruist.