Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• The Union List primarily contains subjects of national importance on which only the Parliament has the power to legislate. Examples include defense, foreign affairs, and atomic energy.
• Entry 8 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule gives States the power to regulate “intoxicating liquors,” which includes the production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase, and sale of such substances.
• Recently, a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld this by an 8:1 majority, confirming that industrial alcohol falls under the definition of “intoxicating liquor” as per Entry 8, allowing State Legislatures to regulate it. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Concurrent List includes subjects where both the Parliament and State Legislatures have legislative powers, though Parliament’s law prevails in case of a conflict. Examples include marriage, bankruptcy, and contracts.
• The Residuary List includes subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists, for which only Parliament can make laws.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-verdict-on-centre-states-tussle-over-industrial-alcohol/article68785881.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 between the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement. It focused primarily on addressing the issue of illegal immigration and protecting Assamese culture and resources. As a result of the Assam Accord, amendments to the Citizenship Act and changes in election laws were introduced, including measures like updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC). (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The Punjab Accord (also known as the Rajiv-Longowal Accord) was signed in 1985 to resolve issues related to Punjab’s autonomy, water-sharing, and territorial disputes. The Punjab Accord led to the establishment of the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and addressed river-water distribution between Punjab and Haryana. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Tripura Accord of 1988 was signed between the Government of India, the Government of Tripura, and the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV). To provide political protection and reservation to indigenous communities, sub-article (3B) was added to Article 332, which ensured reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Tripura Legislative Assembly. The amendment aimed to secure the interests of the indigenous population by mandating reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Tripura Assembly. (Option (c) is correct)
• The Mizoram Peace Accord of 1986 was signed between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front (MNF) to end insurgency in Mizoram. This accord led to Mizoram attaining full statehood. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-manipur-crisis-the-issue-of-managing-diversity/article68788412.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacteria primarily associated with respiratory infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and sinusitis.
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. Although it can cause conjunctivitis in newborns, known as ophthalmia neonatorum, it is not associated with trachoma.
• Staphylococcus aureus can cause skin infections, respiratory infections, and sometimes ocular conditions like conjunctivitis.
• Chlamydia trachomatis is the bacteria responsible for trachoma, a chronic infection that causes inflammation of the eyelids. Repeated infections lead to scarring and eventual blindness if left untreated. Trachoma is most common in underdeveloped areas with poor sanitation. (Option (d) is correct)
• Trachoma is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and is preventable through improved sanitation, hygiene, and antibiotics like azithromycin. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate trachoma globally through the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement), highlighting its importance in public health.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/%E2%80%8Bcelebration-and-vigil-on-india-kala-azar-and-trachoma/article68787789.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they require a host cell to replicate. They cannot carry out metabolic processes or reproduce independently and rely on the host’s cellular machinery for replication. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Viruses contribute to genetic evolution by transferring genes between different species, a process known as horizontal gene transfer. This can lead to genetic diversity and the evolution of new traits in host organisms. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Unlike bacteria or fungi, viruses cannot be studied using typical culture-based methods, as they require host cells for replication. Instead, cell cultures, embryonated eggs, or animal models are commonly used to study viruses. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/researchers-combine-transformer-model-genomics-discover-thousands-new-viruses/article68785679.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli) is indeed one of the most common pathogens that cause gastrointestinal infections. Certain strains of E. coli, particularly E. coli O157, are known to cause foodborne illnesses leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. (Statement 1 is correct)
• coli infections can cause diarrhea, which leads to dehydration, because the infection leads to excessive fluid loss. The infection disrupts normal fluid balance by irritating the intestines, causing watery stools and fluid loss. (Statement 2 is correct)
• While antibiotics are generally used for bacterial infections, they are not always recommended for E. coli, especially for strains like E. coli O157, which can produce Shiga toxin. Antibiotics may worsen symptoms and increase the risk of complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) with certain strains. Therefore, antibiotics should only be prescribed based on the specific strain and clinical symptoms. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/mcdonalds-linked-outbreak-in-united-states-what-is-e-coli-9635584/