Science General Knowledge: Biology, Astronomy & Space

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the United States space agency, established in 1958. It is not associated with the UK, Netherlands, or Russia.

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, with an average distance of about 58 million kilometers (36 million miles). It orbits the Sun in just 88 Earth days, making it the fastest-orbiting planet in our solar system.

Saturn is the second-largest planet in our solar system, after Jupiter. Saturn has a diameter of about 116,460 kilometers and is famous for its prominent ring system made of ice and rock particles.

Mars is called the red planet because of its reddish appearance, which comes from iron oxide (rust) covering its surface. The iron-rich soil and dust give Mars its characteristic red or orange color when viewed from Earth.

Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system with surface temperatures around 465°C (869°F), despite Mercury being closer to the Sun. Venus's thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide creates an extreme greenhouse effect that traps heat.

Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the second-largest moon in our solar system (after Jupiter's Ganymede). Titan is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon known to have a dense atmosphere and liquid lakes on its surface.

The normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult male ranges from 60-100 beats per minute, with 72 being the statistical average. 70 BPM falls within this normal range and is the closest option to the actual average.

AB positive blood group individuals are universal recipients - they can receive blood from any blood group (A, B, AB, or O) because they have both A and B antigens and no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in their plasma.

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites that infect and destroy red blood cells. The spleen works overtime to filter these damaged cells, often becoming enlarged (splenomegaly), making the spleen the organ most significantly affected by malaria.

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, making it a viral disease. Tuberculosis is bacterial (Mycobacterium), malaria is parasitic (Plasmodium), and cholera is bacterial (Vibrio cholerae).

The medulla oblongata is the lowermost part of the brainstem, connecting the brain to the spinal cord. It controls vital autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, making it an essential brain structure.

Myopia (nearsightedness) is an eye condition where close objects are seen clearly but distant objects appear blurry. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it.

Leukemia is a cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. It involves abnormal production of white blood cells, making it fundamentally a blood disease.

Myopia (short-sightedness) occurs when the eye focuses light in front of the retina. A concave lens diverges light before it enters the eye, effectively shifting the focal point back onto the retina and correcting the vision problem.

Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is the world's leading cause of preventable infectious blindness. It affects the conjunctiva and cornea, leading to roughening of the inner eyelid and pain.

Pyorrhea, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. It's primarily caused by poor oral hygiene leading to plaque buildup.

Normal human body temperature is approximately 36.9°C (98.6°F), though it can vary slightly based on time of day, age, and individual factors. Options A and D are too low, while option C is the Fahrenheit equivalent