GAT Test - 11

Key Points

Vitamins

• It is an organic molecule
• It is an essential micronutrient
• Organisms need vitamins in small quantities for the proper functioning of their metabolism
• There are 13 essential vitamins
• Vitamins can  be water-soluble (dissolve in water) and fat-soluble (similar to oil and do not dissolve in water)

Explanation:

• Statement A - INCORRECT
  • Vitamins are required only in small amounts in the body
  • They are usually required in micrograms to milligrams per day
  • In contrast, we need 225 to 325 grams of carbohydrates per day
  • Vitamins are needed for normal cell function, growth, and development and normal body development
• Statement B - CORRECT
  • Vitamins can be both fat and water soluble
  • The water-soluble vitamins include the vitamin B complex and vitamin C
  • Vitamins A, D, E, and K are called the fat-soluble vitamins
  • Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in adipose tissues but water-soluble vitamins are not stored
• Statement C - CORRECT
  • Vitamin A is called retinol and is good for the eye.
• Statement D - INCORRECT
  • Deficiency of vitamin D causes rickets
  • Scurvy is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C.

Hence, only statements B and C are correct.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 40-60%.

Key Points

• A typical plasma membrane comprises roughly equal proportions of proteins and lipids, with each component accounting for approximately 50% of the membrane's composition. However, these percentages can vary depending on the cell type and its specific functions.
• For instance, membranes involved in ATP production, such as those found within mitochondria and chloroplasts, are enriched in proteins, constituting approximately 75% of their composition.
• Proteins play crucial roles in executing specific functions within the membrane.
• There are two primary classes of membrane-associated proteins: peripheral and integral membrane proteins. 

Important Points

• The cell membrane consists of phospholipids, which are amphipathic molecules. These molecules feature two hydrophobic fatty acid chains attached to a hydrophilic head group containing phosphate.
• Because the fatty acid tails repel water, phospholipids naturally arrange themselves into bilayers when in an aqueous environment.
• Being semipermeable, the cell membrane allows certain molecules to pass through its lipid bilayer while blocking others. It plays a critical role in regulating the transport of substances into and out of the cell.
• The membrane selectively hinders the diffusion of highly charged particles like ions, as well as large molecules such as sugars and amino acids.

Concept-

• Locomotion is the movement of organisms to propel themselves from one place to another.
• The animal kingdom is classified into different phyla, Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Protochordata, and Vertebrata.

Explanation-

• Annelida may be aquatic or terrestrial, free-living, and sometimes parasitic.
• Almost all annelids have chitinous hair-like structures, called setae.
• Setae located on the paddle-like appendages called parapodia.
• Parapodia help with swimming.

Thereby locomotion by parapodia is observed in some Annelida.

Additional Information

• Mode of Locomotion in Different Phylum-
  • Coelenterata- Locomotion takes place by smooth muscle fibers and tentacles.
  • Ctenophora- These have the eight external rows of ciliated comb plates, which help in locomotion.
  • Annelida- Locomotion takes place by extending the body, anchoring it to a surface with setae, and contracting body muscles.
  • Mollusca- They have a muscular foot and anchorage, which are used for locomotion.
  • Echinodermata- There is a water vascular system present that helps in locomotion.
  • Reptilia- They have a creeping or crawling mode of locomotion.

Concept:

• Sexual reproduction involves a male gamete and female gametes fertilized to form a zygote.
• Sexual reproduction brings variation among offspring and offspring are different from parents, genetically and physically.
• Plants reproduce sexually and asexually as well, but the majority of flowering plants reproduce sexually.
• Sexual reproduction in plants takes place in flowers.
• Flower is the reproductive whorl that contains male and female reproductive parts.

Important Points

Statement (A) Two plants are essential for sexual reproduction.

• Two plants are not essential for sexual reproduction.
• Because plants can be both unisexual and bisexual.
• The flowers have only male or female reproductive parts, i.e., either stamens or carpels present, are known as unisexual flowers. E.g., Cucumber, Maize, Papaya, etc.
• ​The flowers contain both the male and female reproductive parts that is stamens and carpels, and are known as bisexual flowers. E.g., Mustard, Pea, Rose, etc.
• Thus, this statement is false.

Statement (B) Only insects are agents of pollination.

• Pollination is a process in which pollen grains are picked from an anther part of a flower and transferred to the stigma of the flower.
• There are two types of pollination self-pollination and cross-pollination.
• The self-pollinating plants do not need a pollinator for pollination.
• Self-pollination happens when pollen grains fall straight from the anther into the stigma of the flower. 
• In cross-pollination, the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of the flower into the stigma of another flower.
• This requires different types of biotic and abiotic pollinators like animals, birds, wind, insects, water, etc.
• Thus, this statement is false.

Statement (C) Fertilization occurs only after pollination.

• Fertilization is the process of fusion of nuclei of the male gamete- sperm and the female gamete- ovary to form a zygote.
• During pollination, pollen grains are transferred from an anther to the stigma of the flower.
• Pollination starts when pollen grains from the respective flowers settle on the stigma and form a pollen tube the length of the style.
• When the pollen tube formation is completed, the pollen grain begins to convey sperm cells from the pollen grain to the ovary.
• After that fertilization starts and fusion of gametes occurs.
• Thus, this statement is true.

Statement (D) Plants are obtained from seeds.

• Seeds are developed from the ovules and plants are obtained from them.
• Seeds are germinated to produce whole plants.
• Seeds are enclosed by fruits, that are ripened ovary.
• Thus, this statement is true.

Hence, the correct option is 4.

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

• Blood Plasma :
  • Plasma is the liquid portion of blood.
  • About 55% of our blood is plasma, and the remaining 45% are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that are suspended in the plasma. Hence (A) is false.
  • Plasma is about 92% water. It also contains 7% vital proteins such as albumin, gamma globulin and anti-hemophilic factor, and 1% mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones and vitamins. 
  • Plasma serves four important functions in our bodies: 
    • Helps maintain blood pressure and volume. Hence (R) is true.
    • Supply critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity. 
    • Carries electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to our muscles. 
    • Helps to maintain a proper pH balance in the body, which supports cell function.   

Important Points

• Plasma donation - 
  • Plasma from those who recovered from COVID-19 contains antibodies that neutralize coronavirus. 
  • It can be helpful in the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients.
  • In a plasma-only donation, the liquid portion of the donor’s blood is separated from the cells.
  • Blood is drawn from one arm and sent through a high-tech machine that collects the plasma.
  • The donor’s red blood cells and platelets are then returned to the donor along with some saline.
  • The process is safe and only takes a few minutes longer than donating whole blood.

The correct answer is Flood control.

Key Points

• Wetlands play a crucial role in reducing flood impacts by absorbing and storing excess rainfall, which helps to mitigate flood damage.
• They act as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater, and flood waters.
• Wetlands help in maintaining the water table and act as a buffer against extreme weather conditions.
• By storing water temporarily and releasing it slowly, wetlands reduce the risk of flooding downstream and protect communities from the adverse effects of floods.

Additional Information

• Water Filtration:
  • Wetlands filter and clean water by trapping pollutants, sediments, and nutrients. Plants in wetlands absorb excess nutrients, which helps to improve water quality.
• Habitat for Wildlife:
  • Wetlands provide a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. They are critical breeding grounds for many species.
• Carbon Storage:
  • Wetlands store large amounts of carbon in their plant biomass and soil, which helps to mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Nutrient Cycling:
  • Wetlands are involved in nutrient cycling processes, such as the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, which are essential for maintaining ecosystem health and productivity.

The correct answer is -All of the above.

Key Points

• Malaria
  • When left untreated, malaria can be fatal.
  • The disease is caused by
    • Plasmodium vivax,
    • Plasmodium falciparum,
    • Plasmodium malariae, and
    • Plasmodium ovale.
  • The disease spreads through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes carrying the parasite.
  • The female Anopheles mosquitoes are called vectors.
  • The parasite multiplies in the red blood cells of humans.
  • Malaria symptoms consist of:
    • fever and perspiration.
    • Chills that tremble the entire body.
    • Muscle pains and headaches.
    • Fatigue.
    • Chest pain, difficulty breathing, and cough.
    • Constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
    • As malaria worsens, anaemia and jaundice might develop.
  • Antimalarial drugs are used to treat malaria.
  • Chloroquine is the most effective antimalarial medication.
  • To reduce your likelihood of contracting malaria, you should:
    • Apply DEET (diethyltoluamide) insect repellent to exposed skin.
    • Use mosquito netting to cover the mattresses.
    • Install screens on doors and windows.
    • Permethrin, an insect repellent, can be applied to clothing, mosquito nets, tents, sleeping bags, and other textiles.
    • Put on long pants and sleeves to conceal your skin.

The correct answer is Camillo Golgi.

Key Points

• Camillo Golgi developed the black reaction technique (also known as Golgi's method) in 1873, which was a major advancement in neuroanatomy.
• This staining technique made it possible to visualize the detailed structure and organization of nerve cells and their intricate networks.
• The black reaction involves using silver chromate to stain a few cells in their entirety, allowing for the observation of individual neurons against a transparent background.
• This method was instrumental in establishing the neuron doctrine, which states that the neuron is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system.
• Golgi shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906 with Santiago Ramón y Cajal for their work on the structure of the nervous system.

Additional Information

• The Golgi apparatus, an important cellular organelle involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles, was also discovered by Camillo Golgi.
• Golgi's contributions to cell biology and neuroscience are foundational, with the Golgi method continuing to influence neuroscientific research well into the 20th century and beyond.
• His work laid the groundwork for understanding the complex connectivity and functions of the nervous system, influencing both basic science and clinical approaches to neurological diseases.
• The Golgi method's ability to selectively stain neurons is still appreciated for its utility in highlighting the intricate details of cell morphology and connectivity.

The correct answer is Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect.

Key Points

• Charles darwin gives the origin of species.
• He gave two concept branching descent and natural selection.
• Branching descent means all organisms arise from a common ancestor.
• Natural selection is when the fit organism survives, and the other dies.
• Natural selection is of three types directional, stabilizing and disruptive.
• Hardy Weinberg equilibrium states that genotype frequency remains constant generation after generation.
• Hardy Weinberg's principle is affected by five factors.
• Five factors are a large random mating population, no gene flow, no genetic drift, no mutation, and no natural selection.

Additional Information

Below is the graphical representation of the type of natural selection.

• In directional type, one phenotype character is selected and the mean value changes and curves shift toward the right.
• In stabilizing type intermediate phenotype is selected and the mean value is not changed.
• In the disruptive type the extreme phenotype individuals are selected and the mean value changes.

The correct answer is: 'Only statement (i) is true.'

Key Points

• Bengal, Hyderabad, and Avadh are considered as successor states.
  • This statement is correct.
  • Successor states emerged in the 18th century as the Mughal Empire declined, marking a shift in power dynamics within the Indian subcontinent.
  • Bengal (under Murshid Quli Khan), Hyderabad (under Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I), and Avadh (under Saadat Khan) were prominent successor states that emerged as semi-autonomous regions.
  • They were nominally under Mughal sovereignty but exercised de facto independence in administration, revenue, and military affairs.

Incorrect Statement

• The founders of successor states never formally declared their independence from the Mughal Empire.
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • While the successor states initially maintained nominal allegiance to the Mughal Emperor, they often acted independently in practice.
  • Over time, these states gradually asserted their autonomy, and their rulers no longer sought formal recognition from the weakening Mughal authority.
  • Examples include the Nizam of Hyderabad establishing an independent administrative structure and the Nawabs of Bengal and Avadh managing their regions autonomously.

Hence, only statement (i) is true.

Additional Information

• Successor States:
  • These states emerged during the disintegration of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century.
  • They are categorized into three types: successor states (e.g., Bengal, Hyderabad, Avadh), independent kingdoms (e.g., Mysore, Marathas), and foreign-influenced states (e.g., British-controlled areas).
• Role of the Mughal Empire:
  • The Mughals continued to serve as a symbolic authority for some time, but their real power was limited to the region around Delhi.
  • This period marked the transition to regionalized governance and the eventual rise of colonial powers like the British.