General Science & Nature Knowledge Quiz

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that attacks the body's immune system. The other options are made-up expansions. The virus specifically targets and weakens the immune system, leading to AIDS if untreated.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, the late stage of HIV infection where the immune system is severely damaged. Option B contains a typo (Sachet instead of Syndrome). The syndrome is acquired, not inherited, and involves immune deficiency.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency causes Pellagra, a disease characterized by diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis. Rickets is caused by Vitamin D deficiency, while blindness can result from Vitamin A deficiency. Niacin is essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair.

Iron deficiency causes Anemia, a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen. Pneumonia, Malaria, and Dengue are infectious diseases not caused by nutritional deficiencies. Iron is crucial for hemoglobin production.

Iodine deficiency causes Goitre (enlarged thyroid gland), as iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production. Scurvy is caused by Vitamin C deficiency, and Obesity is not caused by micronutrient deficiency. Iodine is crucial for metabolism regulation.

Vitamin C deficiency causes Scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums, joint pain, and fatigue. Oliguria is reduced urine output, Hepatitis is liver inflammation, and Rickets is caused by Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis.

Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati is the world's largest marine sanctuary, covering over 408,000 square kilometers of pristine Pacific Ocean ecosystem. The Andaman Islands (A) have marine parks but are not the largest sanctuary. Hawaiian Islands (B) have Papahanaumokuakea which is large but smaller than Phoenix. West Indies (C) refers to a region, not a specific marine sanctuary.

Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is the world's only floating national park, built on floating vegetation (phumdi) on Loktak Lake. Kaziranga (B) is famous for one-horned rhinoceroses. Bandipur (C) is a tiger reserve in Karnataka. Jim Corbett (D) is India's oldest national park, known for tigers.

Steppes are the temperate grasslands of Europe and Asia, characterized by treeless plains and extreme seasonal temperatures. Prairies (A) are North American grasslands. Pampas (C) are South American grasslands. Savannas (D) are tropical grasslands with scattered trees, found in Africa and elsewhere.

Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is locally known as Sairandhrivanam and houses the largest viable population of the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque. Pichavaram (A) is a mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai (C) is a tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu. Elephant Valley (D) is not a recognized national park name in India.

An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water where rivers or streams flow into the open sea, mixing fresh and salt water. A lagoon (B) is a shallow body of water separated from a larger sea by a barrier. A bay (C) is a broader coastal inlet. A strait (D) is a narrow waterway connecting two larger water bodies.

The correct answer is D (Michael Faraday). In 1824, Faraday invented the first rubber balloon during his experiments with gases at the Royal Institution in London. He used hydrogen to inflate it. Neither Einstein, Newton, nor Franklin invented the rubber balloon.

The correct answer is D (London). The first modern latex balloons were manufactured in London in 1847 by J.G. Ingram, who used vulcanized rubber. This was a significant advancement from earlier animal bladder balloons. Neither New York, Paris, nor Rome was the site of this innovation.

The correct answer is A (Montgolfier). The Montgolfier brothers (Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne) made the first manned hot air balloon flight in Paris in 1783. Neither the Wright brothers (aviation), Grimm brothers (folklore), nor Evelyn Waugh (author) are connected to balloon flight.

The correct answer is C (Animal bladders). Before rubber and latex, early balloons were made from animal bladders (often pig or other animals), cleaned and inflated. This dates back centuries. Neither papyrus, rubber, nor gum resin were the earliest materials used for balloons.