Daily Current Affair Quiz: 15th April 2020
1. Which of the following statements are true?
1. CRISPR is a gene editing technology.
2. It uses special protein called Cas9, replicates natural defence mechanisms in bacteria to fight virus attacks.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Justification:
- CRISPR is a gene editing technology, which using a special protein called Cas9, replicates natural defence mechanisms in bacteria to fight virus attacks.
- The specific location of the genetic codes that need to be changed, or edited, is identified on the DNA strand, and then, using the Cas9 protein, which acts like a pair of scissors, that location is cut off from the strand.
- A DNA strand, when broken, has a natural tendency to repair itself. Scientists intervene during this auto-repair process, supplying the desired sequence of genetic codes that binds itself with the broken DNA strand.
- Advantage: CRISPR-Cas9 is a simple, effective, and incredibly precise technology with potential to revolutionise human existence in future.
- Disadvantages: It marks irreversible changes in the bodies of future children. It is believed by many activists to be unethical and against nature.
2. Solar Charkha Mission is an initiative of
(a) Ministry of New and renewable Energy
(b) Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises
(c) Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change
(d) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ans: b
Justification:
- It is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiative, launched in 2018. The programme would be implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
3. Which of the following statements are true?
1. Viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and Rotavirus have their genetic material encased in a layer of fat called the lipid envelope.
2. Soap molecules are pin-shaped with a head that is water-loving (hydrophilic) and a tail that is oil-loving (oleophilic).
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: b
Justification:
- Viruses such as coronavirus, influenza-causing viruses, Ebola, Zika have their genetic material encased in a layer of fat called the lipid envelope. Soap molecules are pin-shaped with a head that is water-loving (hydrophilic) and a tail that is oil-loving (oleophilic). Being oleophilic, the tail portion of the molecule tends to have an affinity for and ‘competes’ with the lipids in the virus envelope. Since the chemical bonds holding the virus together are not very strong, the long oleophilic tail gets inserted into the envelope and tends to have a ‘crowbar’ effect that breaks the lipid envelope of the virus. The tail also competes with the bond that binds the RNA and the lipid envelope thus dissolving the virus into its components which are then removed by water.
- Certain viruses do not have the lipid envelope and are called the non-enveloped viruses. Rotavirus which causes severe diarrhoea, poliovirus, adenovirus that cause pneumonia and even human papillomavirus (HPV) do not contain the lipid envelope.
4. Which of the following statement/s is/are true.
1. NIDHI (National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations), an umbrella program, is pioneered by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.
2. It aims at nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Justification:
- NIDHI (National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations), an umbrella program, is pioneered by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.
- It aims at nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.
- Objectives o To promote student startups and student innovations and take forward to the commercialization stage. o To accelerate the journey of ideas to prototype by providing initial funding assistance.
5. Electoral Ink consists of
(a) Ferric chloride
(b) Copper sulphate
(c) Silver nitrate
(d) Titanium nitride
Ans: c
Justification:
- In a rare move, the Election Commission of India allowed use of indelible ink to stamp home quarantine tags on people following a surge in cases of Covid-19 in the country.
- The Commission took a “suo-moto” decision to allow health authorities the use of the ink. Electoral ink is also known as indelible ink, electoral stain or phosphoric ink.
- It is traditionally violet in colour, before the photosensitive element takes effect to leave a black or brown mark.
- It uses silver nitrate, and excessive exposure can cause argyria. Silver nitrate stains the skin on exposure to ultraviolet light, leaving a mark that is impossible to wash off and is only removed as external skin cells are replaced. Typically, it stays on skin for 72–96 hours, lasting 2 to 4 weeks on the fingernail and cuticle area.
- It was first used during the 1962 Indian general election, in Mysore State, now the modern-day state of Karnataka.
