UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 24th JUNE 2021

Solution (d)

Odisha has emerged the only state to have all the three species of the reptile freshwater Gharials at Satakosiya in Mahanadi, muggers in Bhitar Kanika National park and saltwater crocodiles.

Mugger crocodile is native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, where it inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers and artificial ponds. Since 1982, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The saltwater crocodile is native to saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands from India’s east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia and Micronesia. It is the largest living reptile and crocodilian known to science. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996. 

Gharial is a fish-eating crocodile is native to the Indian subcontinent. They are crucial indicator of clean river water. They are critically endangered in the IUCN Red List of Species. The species is also listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Article Link: After 45 yrs of wait, Odisha welcomes first hatchlings of Gharial.

Solution (a)

The jurisdiction of a high court can be shifted only through an act of Parliament, according to the law. According to Article 241 of the Constitution, “Parliament may by law constitute a high court for a Union Territory or declare any court in any such territory to be a high court for all or any of the purposes of this Constitution.” 

Section 4 of the Article 241 mentions that “nothing in this article derogates from the power of Parliament to extend or exclude the jurisdiction of a high court for a state to, or from, any Union Territory or part thereof”

The Union Territory Lakshadweep comes under the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kerala.

Article Link: Lakshadweep admin moots proposal for shifting HC jurisdiction from Kerala to Karnataka

Solution (c)

In virology, gain­of­function research involves deliberately altering an organism in the lab, altering a gene, or introducing a mutation in a pathogen to study its transmissibility, virulence and immunogenicity. It is believed that this allows researchers to study potential therapies, vaccine possibilities and ways to control the disease better in future. 

Gain­of­function research involves manipulations that make certain pathogenic microbes more deadly or more transmissible. This is done by genetically engineering the virus and by allowing them to grow in different growth mediums, a technique called as serial passage.

There is also ‘loss­of­function’ research, which involves inactivating mutations, resulting in a significant loss of original function, or no function to the pathogen. When mutations occur, they alter the structure of the virus that is being studied, resulting in altered functions. Some of these significant mutations might weaken the virus or enhance its function.

Article Link: What is gain-of-function research?

Solution (b)

German agrochemicals major Bayer has launched the first-ever yellow watermelon variety Yellow Gold 48 under Seminis brand in India.

The yellow watermelon variety has been commercially introduced in India following two years of local trials. With Yellow Gold 48, watermelon growers can benefit from enhanced yield potential, better disease and pest tolerance, and higher returns.

Yellow Gold 48 variety is best suited for cultivation from October to February and for harvest from April onwards and will be available in the market until mid-July.

Solution (a)

Biofuel is fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass, rather than by the very slow geological processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil.

First-generation biofuels are made from sugar-starch feedstocks (e.g., sugarcane and corn) and edible oil feedstocks (e.g., rapeseed and soybean oil), which are generally converted into bioethanol and biodiesel, respectively.

Second-generation biofuels, also known as advanced biofuels, are fuels that can be manufactured from various types of non-food biomass. Biomass in this context means plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel.

Second-generation biofuel feedstock is the nonedible byproduct of food crops. For example, wheat straw from wheat production and corn husks from corn cultivation are second-generation feedstock.

Biofuels produced from algae is known as third generation biofuels. Algal fuels have high yields, can be grown with minimal impact on fresh water resources, can be produced using saline water and wastewater, have a high ignition point, and are biodegradable and relatively harmless to the environment if spilled.

Article Link: Central Tuber Crop Research Institute bets on cassava as feedstock for bioethanol production