Question 1

One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate.

Which one of the following denotes that region?

Accepted Answer

Amazon Basin. * (b) Congo Basin is correct: According to environmental assessments released by the UNEP, the peat swamp forests of the Congo Basin house the world's largest contiguous tropical peatland system. This unique ecosystem sequester and stores roughly 29 billion tons of carbon—an immense amount equivalent to three years' worth of global greenhouse gas emissions, making its preservation vital for global climate stability.

Question 2

With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:
1. PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging materials.
2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.
3. Persistent exposure to PFAS, can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. * Statement 1 is correct: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous synthetic chemicals heavily applied to manufacture consumer goods like non-stick cookware, carpets, water-resistant fabrics, and food packaging materials, making them widespread in food supplies and water. * Statement 2 is correct: Popularly termed "forever chemicals," their ultra-strong carbon-fluorine bonds prevent them from breaking down or degrading easily in the natural environment. * Statement 3 is correct: Because they are persistent and slowly excreted, continuous ongoing exposure leads to progressive bioaccumulation within animal and human tissues over time.

Question 3

Consider the following:
1. Carabid beetles
2. Centipedes
3. Flies
4. Termites
5. Wasps

Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Only two. * In evolutionary biology, a parasitoid lives in close, destructive association with a host, ultimately killing it. * Item 1 contains parasitoid species: Several specialized genera of carabid beetles (such as Brachinus or Lebia) have larvae that develop as extreme ectoparasitoids. * Items 3 and 5 contain parasitoid species: The vast majority of documented insect parasitoids belong either to the Hymenoptera order (wasps and bees) or the Diptera order (flies). * Items 2 (centipedes, which are generalist macroscopic predators) and 4 (termites, which are herbivorous detritivores) do not contain parasitoid species. * Therefore, parasitoid species are found in exactly three of the listed groups.

Question 4

Consider the following plants:
1. Groundnut
2. Horse-gram
3. Soybean

How many of the above belong to the pea family?

Accepted Answer

Only two. * All three plants belong to the pea family: The botanical family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), commonly referred to as the legume, bean, or pea family, constitutes an agriculturally vital group of flowering plants. * Item 1 is a member: Groundnut (or peanut) is botanically classified as a member of the Fabaceae family. * Item 2 is a member: Horse-gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a tropical annual legume native to South Asia belonging to the Fabaceae family. * Item 3 is a member: Soybean is a widely cultivated oilseed legume native to East Asia that also falls under the Fabaceae family.

Question 5

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. * Statement I is correct: The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus), a large fruit-eating bat, was historically placed under the "vermin" category in Schedule V of the original Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, due to its tendency to raid commercial fruit orchards. (Note: Recent amendments shifted it to Schedule II to confer a higher degree of protection). * Statement II is incorrect: The Indian Flying Fox is frugivorous and nectarivorous; it feeds exclusively on ripe fruits (such as mangoes and guavas) and floral nectar, not on the blood of other animals.

Question 6

The organisms "Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater" are:

Accepted Answer

Fish. * (c) Insects is correct: All three specified organisms are invertebrates belonging to the insect class. * Cicadas are robust-bodied hemipteran insects famous for spending extended multi-year life stages feeding underground before emerging to molt and mate. * Froghoppers are jumping, plant-sucking insects whose larvae build frothy foam shelters on stalks. * Pond skaters are specialized predatory water bugs configured to slide rapidly across water surfaces to prey on falling organisms.

Question 7

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution.
Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I. * (a) is correct: Discarded commercial chewing gums cause severe municipal and environmental plastic waste tracking problems, validating Statement-I. * The flexible synthetic "gum base" that gives regular chewing gums their elasticity contains non-biodegradable synthetic polymers like polyvinyl acetate (PVA)—the same plastic compound used to manufacture adhesives, glues, and car tyres, validating Statement-II. * Because these chewing gums are formulated using non-biodegradable plastic polymers (Statement-II), their discarded, sticky matrices persist in the biosphere for centuries and cause widespread plastic pollution (Statement-I), making Statement-II the correct explanation.

Question 8

Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. * Statement 1 is correct: Lions do not possess a specific or fixed seasonal breeding calendar and often synchronize reproduction within the pride. * Statement 2 is correct: Unlike lions, tigers, or leopards, a cheetah's vocal anatomy features a fixed voice box structure that allows continuous purring but physically prevents them from roaring. * Statement 3 is incorrect: Male leopards are highly territorial and actively proclaim and defend their home range boundaries using scent marking methods like spraying urine, scattering feces, and rubbing their cheeks against tree trunks.

Question 9

Which one of the following is the correct description of "100 Million Farmers"?

Accepted Answer

It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.. * (a) is correct: "100 Million Farmers" is a global multi-stakeholder platform launched under the aegis of the World Economic Forum (WEF). It brings together public and private sector leaders to position food producers at the center of the global ecological agenda, accelerating collective action to transition toward climate-smart, nature-positive, net-zero carbon agricultural practices while building farmer resilience.

Question 10

Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?

Accepted Answer

Fig. * (a) Fig is correct: Fig trees exhibit an absolute, obligate mutualistic relationship with their unique pollinator wasp species. This tightly coevolved relationship ensures that a specific species of fig can only be pollinated by its specific partner wasp, which enters the internal inflorescence to lay eggs, receiving developing seeds as food for its larvae in return.

Question 11

Consider the following:
1. Butterflies
2. Fish
3. Frogs

How many of the above have poisonous species among them?

Accepted Answer

Only two. * Item 1 is correct: The African giant swallowtail (Papilio antimachus) is a highly poisonous butterfly whose tissues hold high levels of toxic cardiac steroid cardenolides. * Item 2 is correct: Numerous marine fish synthesize or deliver potent toxins; the Reef Stonefish is highly venomous, using dorsal spines to inject fatal mixtures. * Item 3 is correct: Many amphibians carry chemical skin defenses (e.g., poison dart frogs); furthermore, species like Bruno's casque-headed frog use bony spines to inject venom. * Therefore, all three categories contain toxic or poisonous species.

Question 12

Consider the following:
1. Cashew
2. Papaya
3. Red sanders

How many of the above trees are actually native to India?

Accepted Answer

Only one. * Item 1 is incorrect: The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is native to northeastern Brazil and was introduced to India by Portuguese traders in the late 16th century. * Item 2 is incorrect: The Papaya plant is native to the tropical zones of Central America and southern Mexico, arriving in India via historical trade links crossing the Philippines. * Item 3 is correct: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is an endemic tree species whose native wild habitat is strictly restricted to specific dry deciduous forest zones of Andhra Pradesh, India. * Therefore, only one tree (Red Sanders) is native to India.

Question 13

"Membrane Bioreactors" are often discussed in the context of:

Accepted Answer

Vaccine production technologies. * (d) Wastewater treatment technologies is correct: A Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) is an advanced wastewater treatment system that combines a biological activated sludge process with microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane separation technology. Its sub-micron pore filtration layout screens out microscopic particulate matter and pathogens, producing a highly clarified, high-quality treated effluent.

Question 14

Consider the following materials:
1. Agricultural residues
2. Corn grain
3. Wastewater treatment sludge
4. Wood mill waste

Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Accepted Answer

3 and 4 only. * All items can be used: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is synthesized using non-petroleum-based renewable biomass and organic waste streams. * Permissible organic feedstocks encompass agricultural residues (1), grains like corn (2), wet organic municipal wastes such as wastewater treatment sludge (3), forestry residues, and industrial wood mill waste (4).

Question 15

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?

Accepted Answer

Extraction of metals from ores. * (d) Power plants using fossil fuels is correct: According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the single largest source of sulphur dioxide ($SO_2$) emissions in the atmosphere is the combustion of fossil fuels by electrical power plants and large industrial boiler facilities. Smaller contributing sources include industrial metal ore extraction processing, volcanic activity, and heavy maritime or locomotive transit vehicles.

Environment: 2024 PYQ.

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