Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Ethanol can be produced from crops with high starch content, such as corn, maize, and other grains. In addition to starch, ethanol can also be produced from sugar-rich crops like sugarcane. (Option (a) is correct)
• In India, ethanol production is primarily based on sugarcane molasses, a by-product of the sugar industry. This molasses is fermented to produce ethanol, which is then used for blending with petrol. (Option (b) is correct)
• Ethanol is actually considered a renewable fuel because it is produced from biomass, which can be replenished naturally. Ethanol is derived from plant materials, which absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during growth, making it part of the carbon cycle and thus renewable. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme in India was launched in 2003, aiming to promote the use of ethanol-blended petrol to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/on-the-ethanol-blending-programme/article68547944.ece#:~:text=Status%20of%20ethanol%20production%20capacity,consultant%20on%20ethanol%20and%20biofuels.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Mars exploration missions are typically associated with probes like NASA’s Perseverance Rover or the European Space Agency’s ExoMars program. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) is a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) aimed at studying Jupiter and its three largest moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. The mission, launched in 2023, will investigate these moons’ potential habitability and their subsurface oceans. (Option (b) is correct)
• Asteroid mining missions focus on exploring and potentially extracting resources from asteroids. An example is NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which targeted the asteroid Bennu. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Venus’s atmosphere studies are typically associated with missions like NASA’s Parker Solar Probe or ESA’s Venus Express. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/jupiter-icy-moons-explorer-double-gravity-assist-risky/article68545945.ece#:~:text=In%20a%20novel%20double%20manoeuvre%2C%20the%20Airbus%2Dbuilt%20JUICE%20probe,earth's%20gravity%20to%20slow%20down.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is released into the bloodstream during stress, often referred to as the “fight or flight” response. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to muscles, preparing the body for immediate physical action. (Option (a) is correct)
• Regulating calcium levels in the blood function is primarily associated with the hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is secreted by the parathyroid glands and plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium levels in the blood. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The hormone primarily responsible for controlling blood sugar levels is insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps regulate the amount of glucose in the blood by facilitating its uptake into cells. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Promoting growth and development of tissues function is mainly associated with the hormone growth hormone (GH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. GH stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/nasal-spray-us-fda-allergies-treatment-9523383/#:~:text=So%20now%20you%20can%20replace,the%20US%2Dbased%20ARS%20Pharmaceuticals.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) is implemented for a period of five years from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26. The programme is designed to uplift the handloom sector by enhancing the productivity, marketability, and overall welfare of the weavers. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The NHDP indeed follows a need-based approach for the integrated and holistic development of handlooms. This involves providing financial assistance for the upgradation of looms, skill development, marketing, and infrastructure support to the weavers and artisans. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The scheme will support weavers, both within and outside the cooperative fold including Self Help Groups etc. towards raw material, design inputs, technology upgradation, marketing support through exhibitions, create permanent infrastructure in the form of Urban Haats, marketing complexes etc. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-implementing-several-schemes-for-handloom-sector-textile-ministry/article68547411.ece#:~:text=%E2%80%9CUnder%20Weavers'%20MUDRA%20Loan%2F,insurance%20cover%2C%20scholarships%20for%20higher & https://myhandlooms.gov.in/Home/NHDP.aspx#about

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, through an amendment introduced via the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. NTCA was created to strengthen tiger conservation efforts and provide a legal framework for the Project Tiger initiative. (Statement 1 is correct)
• One of the primary objectives of NTCA is to provide statutory backing to Project Tiger, ensuring that tiger conservation efforts are legally enforced across India. This allows for better management and implementation of tiger reserves, habitat protection, and anti-poaching measures. (Statement 2 is correct)
• According to section 38L of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, is a member of the NTCA. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-tiger-deaths-wildlife-department-negligence-9523971/ & https://ntca.gov.in/about-us/#members