Q10. The Nobel Prize–winning scientist James D. Watson is particularly known for work in which field?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Metallurgy
(B) Meteorology
(C) Environmental protection
(D) Genetics
Answer: (D) Genetics
Explanation: James Watson is best known for research on DNA structure, especially the double-helix model presented with Francis Crick in 1953. This work was foundational for molecular genetics and understanding how hereditary information is stored.
Q9. The 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for research broadly relating to which field?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]
(A) Prevention of weakening due to ageing
(B) Flow of genetic information
(C) Immunology and disease resistance
(D) Adult stem-cell research
Answer: (B) Flow of genetic information
Explanation: Andrew Fire and Craig Mello received the 2006 medicine Nobel for discovering RNA interference, a mechanism by which double-stranded RNA can silence particular genes. This regulates the flow of genetic information into functional products.
Q8. Match A. John C. Mather, B. Michael Griffin, C. Paul G. Allen and D. Piers Sellers with
1. Microsoft co-founder, 2. Spacewalker, 3. NASA administrator, 4. 2006 Physics Nobel laureate.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]
(A) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
(B) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
(C) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
(D) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
Answer: (C) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Explanation: John Mather shared the 2006 Physics Nobel for cosmic-background research. Michael Griffin led NASA; Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft; astronaut Piers Sellers performed spacewalks. Thus the correct sequence of associations is 4, 3, 1, 2.
Q7. Which person–achievement pair is NOT correctly matched?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]
(A) William Dickson — Motion picture film
(B) Charles Babbage — Programmable computer
(C) Nicholas Stern — Construction technology
(D) Brian Greene — String theory
Answer: (C) Nicholas Stern — Construction technology
Explanation: Nicholas Stern is an economist known for work on climate-change economics, notably the Stern Review, not construction technology. Dickson helped develop motion-picture technology, Babbage designed computational machines, and Brian Greene is known for work popularizing string theory.
Q6. Who invented the laser?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2005]
(A) Theodore Maiman
(B) Denis Papin
(C) William Morton
(D) Francis Crick
Answer: (A) Theodore Maiman
Explanation: Theodore Maiman built the first working laser in 1960 using a ruby crystal. Lasers produce intense, directional, coherent light through stimulated emission of radiation, an underlying concept developed through earlier theoretical and experimental physics.
Q5. Consider the statements:
1. Adam Osborne produced the first portable computer.
2. Ian Wilmut created the first cloned sheep.
Which is/are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2004]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Adam Osborne’s company introduced the Osborne 1, an influential early portable computer, in 1981. Ian Wilmut led the team responsible for cloning Dolly the sheep using an adult somatic cell. Both statements reflect the associations accepted by the examination.
Q4. Which person–field pair is incorrectly matched?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2004]
(A) Reinhold Messner — Computer technology
(B) Harlow Shapley — Astronomy
(C) Gregor Mendel — Heredity
(D) Godfrey Hounsfield — CT scan
Answer: (A) Reinhold Messner — Computer technology
Explanation: Reinhold Messner is an accomplished mountaineer, not a computer technologist. Harlow Shapley was an astronomer, Mendel established important principles of heredity, and Godfrey Hounsfield helped develop computed tomography for medical imaging.
Q3. Paul Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield won the 2003 Nobel Prize in Medicine for research concerning which technology?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2004]
(A) Control of AIDS
(B) Magnetic resonance imaging
(C) Respiratory diseases
(D) Genetic engineering
Answer: (B) Magnetic resonance imaging
Explanation: Paul Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield developed methods that enabled magnetic resonance imaging, including spatial encoding and rapid image acquisition. MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed views of internal structures without ionizing X-ray radiation.
Q2. Who is credited in this examination with the invention of the simple microscope?
[WBCS Prelims – 2002]
(A) Robert Hooke
(B) Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
(C) Jan Evangelista Purkinje
(D) Robert Brown
Answer: (B) Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Explanation: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek made exceptionally powerful single-lens microscopes in the seventeenth century. These simple instruments allowed him to observe microorganisms and blood cells, advancing microscopy and early microbiology.
Q1. Match A. Arber and Smith, B. Feldman, C. Mullis, D. Temin and Baltimore with:
1. Agrobacterium T-DNA transgenic plants, 2. Endonucleases, 3. Reverse transcriptase, 4. Polymerase chain reaction.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2002]
(A) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
(B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
(C) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
(D) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
Answer: (A) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
Explanation: Arber and Smith contributed to restriction-endonuclease discoveries; Feldman worked with Agrobacterium T-DNA in plants; Kary Mullis devised PCR; Temin and Baltimore discovered reverse transcriptase. The matching sequence is therefore 2, 1, 4, 3.
