IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - May 13, 2016

ANSWER: Liver

Explanation:

• Hepatitis is a disease of the liver characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
• Hepatitis may occur without symptoms, but can lead to jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and conjunctiva of the eyes), poor appetite, and fatigue.
• Depending on the cause, hepatitis can manifest either as an acute or as a chronic disease.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• The main cause of Hepatitis A & E is consumption of contaminated water and provision of safe drinking water is the main strategy to control diseases caused by drinking of contaminated water.
• Hepatitis A and E is preventable by vaccine. It spreads from contaminated food or water, or contact with someone who is infected.
• Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and low-grade fever.
The condition clears up on its own in one or two months. Rest and adequate hydration can help.

ANSWER: Hepatitis B

Explanation:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted between people by contact with the blood or other body fluids (i.e. saliva, semen and vaginal fluid) of an infected person. HBV is spread through a break in the skin (e.g. cuts, needles, sores in the mouth), or through sexual intercourse.
• HBV is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.
• Hepatitis B vaccination is included under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) of Government of India. Government is using auto-disabled (AD) syringes for all vaccinations under UIP in all States.
• Hepatitis C spreads through blood but not semen.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• India spends about 1.16% of its GDP.
• Sri Lanka spends 1.21% and USA 7.99%.
• Bangladesh spends 1.12%. Pakistan spends 1.03%

ANSWER: Gandhara School

Explanation:

• In terms of art, it was the Greco-Buddhist Gandhara School, known for depicting Buddha in human form, that finally reached China, heavily influencing the emergence of what became known as Serendian art, embodying a powerful Chinese artistic tradition as well.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• Those who voluntarily give up the LPG cylinder subsidy under the government’s Give It Up scheme can ask for it after a year.
• Give It Up is for one year. One does not need to apply to give it up again, he/she will still be considered as having given it up. But, after a year, the person can re-apply for the subsidy if he wishes.
• The usual understanding is that once you have given it up, you can’t get it back.

ANSWER: Landslides

Explanation:

• GSI has created a Geohazards Research & Management (GHRM) Cell in Kolkata.
• GHRM Cell is primarily involved in Research & Development activities in the field of landslides and provides services to all landslide divisions of GSI for landslide related works, including mentoring the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) programme of GSI.
• GSI has launched a two-year project to create a landslide compendium for north western Himalayas.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

The Forest Survey of India, data on forest fire attribute around 50% of the forest areas as fire prone. This does not mean that country's 50% area is affected by fires annually. Very heavy, heavy and frequent forest fire damages are noticed only over 0.8%, 0.14% and 5.16% of the forest areas respectively.
• A large fraction of India's deciduous and semi-deciduous forests is characterized by open and frequently burned stands. To reduce water stress the deciduous trees shed their leaves during the dry season. These fuels, together with the grass layer, allow the development of low- and medium-intensity surface fires almost every year. Many open forests are even affected by fire twice or three times per year.
• Collecting non-wood forest products in the dry deciduous is often associated with burning: The fire removes the leaf litter layer, and freshly fallen fruits become visible and easier to collect.
• Erosion is one of the severe consequences of fire-induced litter depletion.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• The term black carbon is also used in soil sciences and geology, referring either to deposited atmospheric black carbon or to directly incorporated black carbon from vegetation fires.
• Especially in the tropics, black carbon in soils significantly contributes to fertility as it is able to absorb important plant nutrients.
• Up to 30% of the total carbon stored in soils is contributed by black carbon.
• Black carbon warms the Earth by absorbing sunlight and heating the atmosphere and by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice (direct effects) and indirectly by interaction with clouds.
• Black carbon from smog and ash covers the glaciers, thereby making them prone to melting.
• Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels and biomass produces black carbon.

ANSWER: Glaciers

Explanation:
There are many glaciers in India. Most glaciers lie in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Apart from above, following are the few important glaciers in India -

• Siachen
• Gangotri
• Sona
• Drang-Drung
• Kafni
• Satopanth
• Ralam
• Panchuli
• Lonak
• Namik