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
41
What is 'Osmosis'?
Answer:
The movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane
Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential.
42
What is a 'Catalyst'?
Answer:
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change
A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction, or lowers the temperature or pressure needed to start one, without itself being consumed during the reaction.
43
What does 'Velocity' measure?
Answer:
The rate of change of position of an object (speed with direction)
Velocity is a vector quantity that refers to 'the rate at which an object changes its position'. It includes both speed and direction.
44
What is 'Sublimation'?
Answer:
Transition from solid directly to gas
Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas state, without passing through the liquid state.
45
What is an 'Isotope'?
Answer:
An atom with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number, and consequently in nucleon number.
46
What is 'Mitosis'?
Answer:
A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
Mitosis is a part of the cell cycle when replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. It results in two genetically identical cells.
47
What does 'pH' measure?
Answer:
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution
pH is a scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Lower values are acidic, while higher values are basic (alkaline).
48
What is 'Kinetic Energy'?
Answer:
Energy of motion
Kinetic energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity.
49
What does the term 'Photosynthesis' refer to?
Answer:
The process by which plants turn light energy into chemical energy
Photosynthesis is the process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that can later be released to fuel the organism's activities.
50
What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties?
Answer:
Atom
An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that forms a chemical element. Every solid, liquid, gas, and plasma is composed of neutral or ionized atoms.