General Knowledge

Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent and is almost entirely covered by ice, with about 98% of its surface frozen. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent. Asia, America, and Australia have significant ice coverage in certain regions but are not predominantly ice-covered like Antarctica.

Washing soda (sodium carbonate decahydrate, Na2CO3·10H2O) is a water softener. It reacts with calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, converting them into soluble forms, thus softening the water. Softened water allows soap to lather better and clean clothes more effectively. Hard water reduces soap's cleaning efficiency.

Anthrax is primarily known as a disease affecting livestock and farm animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. While it can infect humans (usually through contact with infected animals or their products), the disease is most strongly associated with farm animals in agricultural and veterinary contexts. The question focuses on its primary impact.

The human body and most living organisms are composed of approximately 70-80% water by mass. This water is essential for various biological processes including temperature regulation, waste removal, and cellular function. While the exact percentage varies by age and species, 80% is the closest standard approximation taught in basic biology.

The hot molten or semi-molten rock material that erupts from a volcano is called lava. Once it cools and solidifies, it becomes igneous rock. 'Foal' is a young horse, 'Viva' is an exclamation, and 'larva' refers to the immature form of insects - none of which relate to volcanic material.

A weed is defined as a plant growing where it is not wanted, typically in cultivated areas like gardens, farms, or lawns. Weeds compete with desired plants for resources and can reduce crop yields. The key characteristic is that they are unwanted in their current location, regardless of whether they have other uses.

Applied science is the practical application of scientific knowledge and theories to solve real-world problems and improve human life. It takes theoretical principles from pure sciences (physics, chemistry, biology) and uses them to develop technologies, medicines, engineering solutions, and other practical applications.

The larynx, or voice box, contains the vocal cords. These fibrous tissues vibrate when air passes through them, producing sound for speech.

Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. It helps produce rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that enables night vision.

Venom is a specialized toxic poison produced by certain animals like snakes, spiders, and scorpions. It's used for defense or to incapacitate prey.

Arid regions receive very little rainfall annually. Deserts are classic examples of arid regions where precipitation is minimal.

Artificial intelligence is implemented in both computers and robots. AI algorithms run on computers, which can control robots to perform intelligent actions.

The vertebral column, or backbone, is the defining characteristic of vertebrates. It consists of individual vertebrae that protect the spinal cord.

The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract through which solid waste is eliminated from the body.

Viruses exist at the borderline between living and non-living. By themselves, they're considered 'dead' or inactive - they need a host cell to replicate and show life-like properties.

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms like fish in controlled environments. It creates artificial marine conditions for healthy fish development.

Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. This ensures blood returns efficiently to the heart against gravity.

A vacuum is an empty space with very low pressure - essentially absence of matter. It's the absence of gas, liquid, or solid particles.

Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to various body parts. The aorta is the largest artery, distributing blood from the left ventricle throughout the body. Veins return blood to the heart, while arteries form the high-pressure distribution network.

The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding Earth, primarily nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). These gases protect life by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and regulating temperature through the greenhouse effect. Solids and liquids are not the primary components.

Atoms are the smallest particles that retain the chemical properties of an element. They consist of electrons orbiting a nucleus containing protons and neutrons. Atoms combine to form molecules but are themselves the fundamental units of matter.

Vapor refers to the gaseous phase of substances normally liquid at room temperature. Water vapor is invisible but forms clouds or fog when it condenses. Air itself is a mixture of gases, while solids have fixed shapes and volumes.

An angiograph (or angiogram) is an imaging technique specifically used to visualize blood vessels in the heart. It helps diagnose coronary artery disease and blockages. Brain imaging uses cerebral angiography, kidney uses renal angiography, and abdomen uses abdominal angiography.