The correct answer is (C) Lower risk of immune reactions due to use of natural enzymes

RNA editing relies on ADAR enzymes, which naturally occur in the human body, leading to a lower risk of immune responses compared to DNA editing. In contrast, DNA editing often involves proteins sourced from bacteria, which can trigger undesirable immune reactions. The temporary nature of RNA editing also avoids the risk of irreversible changes, making it a safer choice for therapies where permanent corrections are not necessary.

The correct answer is (C) Directly vaccinating bats or livestock

One recent strategy for managing rabies in vampire bats involves vaccinating livestock or even the bats themselves. Techniques such as genetically modified viruses, like herpes viruses, are used to spread immunity among bats. These vaccination efforts provide a sustainable and less harmful alternative to traditional culling methods, which often use poison and have negative ecological impacts. Vaccination is an innovative approach to reduce rabies transmission and mitigate conflicts between vampire bats and livestock farmers.

The correct answer is (C) It is native to North America and endangered

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is unique as the only ferret species native to North America and is classified as endangered by the IUCN. It belongs to the weasel family and primarily preys on prairie dogs and other small animals. Its conservation status has led to efforts such as cloning to help restore its population, and the species’ recovery is a focus of environmental conservation in the region.

The correct answer is (D) Establishing new connections through allogrooming and food sharing

TVampire bats establish social bonds by grooming each other (allogrooming) and sharing food with other bats that reciprocate in return. This behavior mimics human friendships, where individuals build trust through small, mutual acts of kindness. These social behaviors are essential for vampire bats, who rely on their community for survival due to their unique blood-only diet. Additionally, when ill, bats often engage in passive social distancing, showing an instinctual behavior to reduce the spread of illness within their social groups.

The correct answer is (C) Synthesizing CO₂ with hydrogen to produce methanol

NTPC’s Vindhyachal plant made a significant breakthrough by converting captured CO₂ and hydrogen (produced via PEM electrolysis) into methanol. This CO₂-to-methanol process represents a sustainable carbon management solution that captures CO₂ from sources like industrial plants or the atmosphere and combines it with hydrogen to create methanol, which can be used as fuel, a chemical feedstock, or for energy storage. The conversion aids in reducing atmospheric CO₂ and aligns with renewable energy goals.

The correct answer is (C) Increases methane emissions for energy production

CO₂-to-methanol conversion provides multiple benefits, including reducing CO₂ levels through Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), supporting energy storage, and serving as an industrial feedstock for various products like chemicals and plastics. Methanol, unlike methane, does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in the same way and can replace fossil fuels in certain applications. Thus, CO₂-to-methanol conversion is an environmentally friendly and versatile solution in sustainable energy and industrial sectors.

The correct answer is (D) Odorless

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, has a distinctive odor, unlike ethanol. It is a clear, colorless liquid that mixes completely with water (miscible) and is highly flammable, making it hazardous if ingested or improperly handled. Methanol’s properties make it useful as an industrial solvent and a renewable fuel source, but its toxicity requires careful management in applications.

The correct answer is (C) Pacific Ring of Fire

Mount Lewotobi is an active volcano located in Indonesia, which lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire—a horseshoe-shaped area around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity. The Ring of Fire results from tectonic interactions between major plates like the Pacific, Nazca, and Juan de Fuca plates. Indonesia’s position in this geologically active region accounts for its numerous volcanoes and earthquakes.

The correct answer is (B) To stop East Germans from fleeing to the prosperous West

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) to prevent the mass exodus of East Germans seeking better economic opportunities and freedom in West Berlin. The wall became a physical and ideological symbol of the “Iron Curtain,” which separated the communist Eastern Bloc from Western Europe. Its construction effectively halted movement between East and West Berlin until its fall in 1989.

The correct answer is (C) Gorbachev’s Glasnost and Perestroika policies

Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms, Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), allowed for more liberal policies within the Soviet Union and its satellite states. These reforms encouraged a wave of political and social change, leading to protests and civil unrest across Eastern Europe, demanding freedom and democratic reforms. The growing pressure contributed to the Berlin Wall’s fall, symbolizing the end of communist control and the Cold War.

The correct answer is (D) German reunification

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the beginning of Germany’s path toward reunification, which was officially completed on October 3, 1990. This event symbolized the end of Cold War divisions between East and West and led to a shift in global power, reducing Soviet influence and expanding democratic and market-based governance in former Eastern Bloc countries.

The correct answer is (C) Its effects are temporary, needing repeated treatments

RNA editing is a transient process, meaning the changes made to RNA are not permanent, unlike DNA editing. As a result, the edited RNA degrades over time, so patients would require repeated treatments to maintain the therapy’s effects. This approach has advantages, such as reduced risk of irreversible changes, but also presents challenges in terms of long-term treatment sustainability.

The correct answer is (B) They catalyze adenosine-inosine substitutions in RNA

ADAR (Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA) enzymes are key players in RNA editing, as they catalyze the conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) in RNA. This can alter the genetic code read by ribosomes, effectively “editing” the mRNA sequence. ADAR enzymes naturally occur in the body, making RNA editing techniques less likely to trigger immune responses compared to DNA editing.

The correct answer is (B) RNA editing involves temporary changes

RNA editing is distinct from DNA editing as it only makes temporary alterations to the RNA sequence, which naturally degrades over time, thus not altering the genome permanently. This reversibility minimizes the risk of irreversible errors and makes RNA editing a potentially safer approach for treating genetic conditions.

The correct answer is (C) Anticoagulant saliva to prevent blood clotting

Vampire bats are unique among mammals for their blood-only diet, known as hematophagy. Their saliva contains an anticoagulant, which helps keep their prey’s blood flowing while they feed. They also have specialized heat sensors in their snouts to locate the best spot on their prey for feeding, making them well-adapted to this unique diet.

The correct answer is (B) By sharing food with those who have helped them before

Vampire bats demonstrate social reciprocity by sharing food with bats that have previously helped them. They “track” their social relationships and choose to reciprocate only with those that have shown previous generosity, similar to human friendship dynamics. They also engage in low-cost social behaviors like grooming to build new social bonds, showing a complex social structure based on mutual support.

The correct answer is (D) To back up seeds globally in case of emergencies

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, located in Norway, acts as a global backup for seed diversity. It stores duplicates of seeds from gene banks worldwide, safeguarding them against natural disasters, wars, and other emergencies. It preserves global food crop diversity and has over 1 million seed varieties from around 80 countries, making it a vital resource for food security.

The correct answer is (C) Utilizes natural freezing due to permafrost

The Svalbard Seed Vault benefits from its location in the Arctic’s permafrost, where consistently low temperatures provide natural refrigeration. This setting ensures that the seeds are kept cold even in case of power outages, making it an efficient and reliable method for long-term seed storage. The vault’s design, over 100 meters inside a sandstone mountain, further protects against climate change risks.

The correct answer is (B) Soviet policies of Glasnost and Perestroika

The Soviet Union’s introduction of Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring) under Mikhail Gorbachev marked a shift toward political openness and economic reform. These policies weakened the control of communist regimes and inspired movements for freedom and reform across Eastern Europe, leading to civil unrest and a demand for change, which contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

The correct answer is (A) Extensive traditional knowledge, particularly Ayurveda

India’s nutraceutical industry leverages traditional health sciences such as Ayurveda, which is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. This unique traditional knowledge gives India an advantage in the nutraceutical market, especially with ingredients like curcumin, bacopa, and ashwagandha. Despite this, the industry still faces challenges, such as the need for scientific validation to meet international standards.