General Science Knowledge

Zoonosis refers to infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Examples include rabies, avian influenza, and salmonella. These diseases can spread through direct contact with animals, consumption of contaminated animal products, or vectors like ticks and mosquitoes that carry pathogens from animals to humans.

Tetanus is also called lockjaw because the bacteria Clostridium tetani releases a toxin that causes severe muscle spasms, particularly in the jaw muscles (masseter muscles), making it difficult or impossible to open the mouth. This condition can be prevented through vaccination and is often associated with contaminated wounds.

Syncope is the medical term for temporary loss of consciousness or fainting. It occurs when there's a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain, often caused by a drop in blood pressure, dehydration, or standing up too quickly (orthostatic hypotension). Vasovagal syncope is the most common type, triggered by emotional stress or pain.

Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped gram-negative bacteria that causes one of the most common foodborne illnesses worldwide. It typically spreads through contaminated food products like eggs, poultry, meat, and unpasteurized milk. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually appearing 6-72 hours after infection.

Thrombosis refers to the formation or presence of a blood clot (thrombus) within a blood vessel, which can obstruct blood flow. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in legs and pulmonary embolism are common and dangerous forms. Risk factors include prolonged immobility, surgery, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions that affect blood clotting.

German measles is a viral infection also commonly known as Rubella, characterized by a rash and mild fever. It is distinct from standard measles, though both involve rashes.

The formula KCI represents potassium chloride (KCl), a salt composed of potassium and chlorine. It's widely used as a fertilizer, in medical treatments for electrolyte imbalances, and as a salt substitute. The chemical notation shows K (potassium) bonded with Cl (chlorine), though sometimes written with a lowercase 'l' appearing as 'I'.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It's characterized by severe coughing fits followed by a high-pitched 'whoop' sound when inhaling. The disease is particularly dangerous for infants and can be prevented through DTaP vaccination.

Aluminium is the most abundant metal in Earth's crust, constituting about 8% of the crust's total weight. It's a lightweight, silvery-white metal with excellent corrosion resistance. Aluminium is never found in pure form in nature but exists in compounds like bauxite ore, which is the primary source for commercial aluminium extraction.

PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography, a nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces detailed three-dimensional images of functional processes in the body. It uses radioactive tracers (often FDG, a glucose analog) that emit positrons, which annihilate with electrons to produce gamma rays detected by the scanner. PET is crucial in oncology, neurology, and cardiology.

The peritoneum is a serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covers most abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum). It produces a lubricating fluid that reduces friction between organs during digestion and movement. The peritoneal cavity is a potential space containing this fluid and is crucial for immune responses in the abdomen.

The sternum is the flat bone located in the center of the chest, commonly known as the breastbone. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front part of the rib cage, protecting vital organs like the heart and lungs. Options A, C, and D refer to other skeletal structures (jaw, skull, and nose respectively) that are distinct from the sternum.

A sphygmomanometer is the medical instrument used to measure blood pressure. It typically consists of an inflatable cuff wrapped around the arm and a pressure gauge that displays systolic and diastolic readings. Options A, C, and D refer to other medical parameters (blood sugar, bone density, and white blood cell count) that require different diagnostic tools.

Tachycardia is the medical term for an abnormally rapid heart rate, typically defined as more than 100 beats per minute at rest. It can be caused by various factors including stress, exercise, medications, or underlying heart conditions. Options A, B, and D refer to different medical conditions (parasitic infection, contagious disease, and paralysis) unrelated to heart rate.

Scabies is caused by the microscopic parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the upper layer of human skin. The female mite lays eggs in these burrows, causing intense itching and a characteristic rash. While fungi cause conditions like ringworm, and viruses/bacteria cause many other diseases, scabies is specifically a parasitic infestation.

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of internal body structures. It is particularly useful for imaging soft tissues like the brain, muscles, and organs. Options A, B, and C are plausible-sounding but incorrect combinations of medical and technical terms.

The kiwi bird's name is derived from its distinctive call, which sounds like 'kee-wee' and is primarily made by the male bird. Maori people named the bird after this vocalization. Emus, rheas, and cassowaries are other flightless birds, but their names have different origins (Latin, Greek, and local languages respectively).

Marie Curie is the only woman to have received two Nobel Prizes in different scientific disciplines: Physics in 1903 (shared with her husband Pierre and Henri Becquerel) for work on radiation phenomena, and Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of radium and polonium. Jane Addams won the Nobel Peace Prize, Irene Curie (Marie's daughter) won one Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and Rosalyn Yalow won the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

CAT scan stands for Computerized Axial Tomography (also called CT scan), which uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. The 'axial' refers to the scanning around the body's axis. Options A, B, and D are incorrect combinations of anatomical and technical terms.

Correct option is (1). 

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of malignant (cancerous) bone tumor, typically arising from bone-forming cells. It most often occurs in the long bones of adolescents and young adults. Osteosclerosis is abnormal bone hardening, osteoporosis is reduced bone density, and osteomalacia is softening of bones - none of these are cancerous.

Cliff-dwelling birds like murres, kittiwakes, and guillemots lay eggs that are distinctly pointed at one end. This pyriform (pear-shaped) adaptation prevents the eggs from rolling off narrow cliff ledges - they roll in tight circles instead. Round eggs would easily roll off the cliff edge.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) prevents and treats pellagra, a disease caused by niacin deficiency characterized by diarrhea, dementia, and skin rashes. Niacin can be obtained from foods like meat, fish, eggs, and legumes. Vitamins A, D, and B6 serve different functions in the body and do not prevent pellagra.

Jovian planets are gas giants like Jupiter, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a solid rocky surface. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are all Jovian planets (Saturn and Uranus are gas giants, Neptune is an ice giant but still classified as Jovian).

Casimir Funk discovered that certain substances were vital for life and coined the term 'vitamine' in 1912, later shortened to 'vitamin'. The name combines 'vita' (life) and 'amine' (a chemical group he thought these compounds contained). Funk's work on beriberi led to isolating thiamine (vitamin B1). Hopkins contributed to discovering vitamins but did not name them.