Master10 Proprietary Question Bank - Automated scraping, spidering, or harvesting is strictly prohibited.
General Knowledge Cluster241 Verified Questions
Cell Biology GK Questions & Answers
Cell biology investigates the fundamental structural and functional unit of life, first described by Robert Hooke in 1665. Classical Cell Theory, formulated by Matthias Schleiden (1838) and Theodor Schwann (1839) and extended by Rudolf Virchow's aphorism Omnis cellula e cellula (1855), postulates that all organisms consist of cells arising from pre-existing cells. Cellular life divides into prokaryotes, lacking membrane-bound nuclei and containing 70S ribosomes (subunits 50S and 30S), and eukaryotes, possessing defined nuclei and 80S ribosomes (subunits 60S and 40S). The eukaryotic plasma membrane follows S.J. Singer and G.L. Nicolson's Fluid Mosaic Model (1972), structured as an amphipathic phospholipid bilayer. Organelles execute compartmentalized metabolism: mitochondria generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) across inner cristae via oxidative phosphorylation; lysosomes contain acid hydrolases for intracellular degradation; and the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages secretory proteins. Cell replication occurs through mitosis, an equational division yielding two genetically identical diploid (2n) daughter cells, or meiosis, a two-stage reductional division generating four haploid (n) gametes with genetic variation introduced via crossing over in pachytene of prophase I.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Classical Cell Theory formulated by Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow asserts that all living organisms are composed of cells derived from pre-existing cells.
Prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria) lack membrane-enclosed organelles and possess 70S ribosomes, whereas eukaryotes contain compartmentalized organelles and 80S ribosomes.
Mitochondria produce cellular energy in the form of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation along the inner mitochondrial cristae.
Meiosis is a reductional division producing four haploid (n) gametes, with genetic recombination occurring during the pachytene stage of prophase I.
Showing 25 Curated Questions241 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-GSCI-00493
mediumBiological Principles & Living Systems
In eukaryotic cell division, during which specific phase of mitosis do sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite spindle poles?
Verified Explanation
During anaphase of mitosis, centromeres split and sister chromatids are pulled toward opposite poles of the cell by shortening kinetochore microtubules.
2ID: GK-GSCI-00473
easyBiological Principles & Living Systems
Which cellular organelle is known as the 'powerhouse of the cell' due to its role in generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
Verified Explanation
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles where cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation take place, generating the bulk of the chemical energy currency, ATP.
3ID: GK-DTECH-00125
hardSubmarines, Aircraft Carriers & Naval Systems
What is the primary operational advantage of the 'Land-Based Test Facility' (LBTF) for the indigenous Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system developed by NMRL (DRDO)?
Verified Explanation
DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) developed a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) AIP system that generates hydrogen on-demand from sodium borohydride. Because it combines hydrogen and liquid oxygen silently with zero moving parts, it delivers higher efficiency, silent propulsion, and produces pure water.
4ID: GK-DTECH-00180
mediumSubmarines, Aircraft Carriers & Naval Systems
Which DRDO laboratory located in Ambernath developed the indigenous Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for Indian Navy conventional submarines?
Verified Explanation
The Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL, DRDO) developed the indigenous Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. It generates hydrogen on-board from sodium borohydride to produce electric power, enabling Kalvari-class submarines to remain submerged for extended durations.
Which laboratory of DRDO successfully developed the indigenous fuel-cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system that allows conventional diesel-electric submarines to remain submerged for weeks without snorkeling?
Verified Explanation
The Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), a DRDO laboratory in Ambernath (Maharashtra), indigenously developed the fuel-cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, which generates hydrogen on-board to extend underwater submarine endurance.
What major operational capability does DRDO's indigenously developed Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system provide to conventional diesel-electric submarines?
Verified Explanation
DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) developed a Fuel Cell-based AIP system that generates electricity silently from stored hydrogen and liquid oxygen without needing atmospheric air. This allows Kalvari-class submarines to stay submerged continuously for up to two weeks, drastically reducing indiscretion rates.
7ID: GK-SCHM-00186
easyAyushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat & PMAY
What is the primary target year set under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission launched by the Government of India in July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh?
Verified Explanation
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched in July 2023 with the objective of eliminating Sickle Cell Disease as a public health problem in India by the centenary of independence in 2047.
8ID: GK-SCHM-00349
easyAyushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat & PMAY
From which district in Madhya Pradesh was the 'National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission' launched in July 2023 to eliminate the disease from India by 2047?
Verified Explanation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission on 1 July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, targeting the screening of 7 Crore tribal citizens aged 0-40 by 2047.
9ID: GK-SCHM-00531
mediumAyushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat & PMAY
What is the target year set by the Government of India for the complete elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission?
Verified Explanation
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health issue by the year 2047 through universal screening of 7 crore people aged 0-40 in tribal areas.
Where is the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), an apex cell culture repository and research institute under DBT, situated?
Verified Explanation
The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is located within the SPPU campus in Pune, Maharashtra, functioning as the national repository for animal cell lines.
The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), a premier autonomous research institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), is situated in:
Verified Explanation
NCCS is located on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University in Pune, Maharashtra. It serves as the national cell repository and a centre for advanced cell biology research.
12ID: GK-HLTH-00492
easyAyushman Bharat & National Health Policies
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023 from Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, aims to eliminate sickle cell disease across India by which target year?
Verified Explanation
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was officially launched by the Prime Minister in July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by the centenary year of India's independence in 2047. It targets universal screening of approximately 7 crore tribal citizens aged 0 to 40 years across 278 districts in 17 high-prevalence states.
13ID: GK-ENRG-00022
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell technology, what does the technical acronym 'TOPCon' represent?
Verified Explanation
TOPCon stands for Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact. It utilizes an ultra-thin silicon oxide tunnel layer paired with a doped polycrystalline silicon layer to minimize carrier recombination and achieve cell efficiencies exceeding 24–25%.
14ID: GK-ENRG-00143
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In modern n-type silicon solar cell manufacturing, what does the technological acronym 'TOPCon' stand for?
Verified Explanation
TOPCon stands for Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact. It is an advanced n-type silicon cell architecture featuring an ultra-thin silicon oxide tunnel layer paired with a doped polycrystalline silicon layer, which significantly suppresses electron-hole recombination and delivers higher cell efficiencies (>25%) compared to traditional p-type PERC cells.
15ID: GK-ENRG-00146
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the theoretical maximum single-junction solar cell thermodynamic efficiency limit under standard 1-sun un-concentrated solar illumination, known as the Shockley-Queisser limit?
Verified Explanation
Calculated by William Shockley and Hans-Walter Queisser in 1961, the Shockley-Queisser limit establishes that the maximum theoretical solar conversion efficiency for a single p-n junction photovoltaic cell under standard AM 1.5 solar spectrum without concentration is approximately 33.7% (for an optimum bandgap of ~1.34 eV).
16ID: GK-ENRG-00149
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In a Perovskite-Silicon Tandem solar cell, why is the perovskite top layer placed ahead of the underlying silicon bottom cell in the light path?
Verified Explanation
Perovskite-silicon tandem architectures stack a wide-bandgap (e.g. 1.7 eV) perovskite top cell on top of a narrow-bandgap (1.1 eV) silicon bottom cell. The top cell absorbs high-energy short-wavelength photons with reduced thermalization losses, while transmitted long-wavelength infrared light is absorbed by the bottom silicon cell, breaking the single-junction efficiency barrier (>33%).
17ID: GK-WGEOG-00517
hardContinents Oceans
In Earth's global atmospheric three-cell circulation model, which meridional cell operates between the equator and 30 degrees latitude in each hemisphere?
Verified Explanation
The Hadley Cell features rising warm air near the equator, poleward upper-troposphere transport, descending dry air at 30° latitude (subtropical highs), and equatorward return trade winds.
18ID: GK-WGEOG-00574
hardClimate Zones
In atmospheric general circulation, which meridional overturning cell operates between the thermal equator and subtropical high-pressure ridges at approximately 30° latitude?
Verified Explanation
The Hadley Cell features rising warm air near the equator, poleward flow in the upper troposphere, sinking air in the subtropics creating deserts, and equatorward surface return flow (Trade Winds).
19ID: GK-GSCI-00067
easyBiological Principles
Which organelles in animal cells contain hydrolytic digestive enzymes and are famously termed the "Suicide Bags" of the cell?
Verified Explanation
Lysosomes break down cellular waste and foreign pathogens, and self-destruct (autolysis) when cell damage is irreparable.
20ID: GK-GSCI-00154
easyBiological Principles & Living Systems
Which cellular organelle is universally termed the 'powerhouse of the cell' for synthesizing ATP?
Verified Explanation
Mitochondria generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular aerobic respiration, earning the moniker powerhouse of the cell.
21ID: GK-GSCI-00164
easyBiological Principles & Living Systems
Which type of cell division in eukaryotic organisms results in two genetically identical diploid somatic cells?
Verified Explanation
Mitosis is the process of nuclear division where a single parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells, maintaining the original chromosome number for growth and tissue repair.
22ID: GK-GSCI-00199
hardBiological Principles & Living Systems
In animal cell electrophysiology, the primary active transport sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+-ATPase) expels and imports how many respective cations for every single molecule of ATP hydrolyzed?
Verified Explanation
The electrogenic Na+/K+-ATPase uses energy from 1 ATP hydrolysis to export 3 sodium ions (Na+) and import 2 potassium ions (K+) against their electrochemical gradients, maintaining cell resting potential (-70 mV).
23ID: GK-GSCI-00208
easyBiological Principles & Living Systems
Which eukaryotic cellular organelle is universally referred to as the 'powerhouse of the cell'?
Verified Explanation
Mitochondria produce most of the cell's adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via aerobic cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation.
24ID: GK-GSCI-00303
easyBiological Principles & Living Systems
Which membrane-bound cell organelle is known as the 'powerhouse of the cell' for synthesizing ATP through cellular respiration?
Verified Explanation
Mitochondria generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation on the inner mitochondrial cristae.
25ID: GK-GSCI-00328
mediumBiological Principles & Living Systems
During which mitotic phase do duplicated chromosomes align precisely along the equatorial plane of the eukaryotic cell?
Verified Explanation
During metaphase, spindle fibers attached to kinetochores align the duplicated sister chromatids along the cell's equatorial metaphase plate before separation.