Explanation: Edward Jenner, an English physician, is known as the “Father of Immunology.” In 1796, he observed that milkmaids who had previously suffered from cowpox (a mild disease) did not contract smallpox (a deadly viral disease). He tested his hypothesis by injecting a boy with material taken from a cowpox sore and later exposing him to smallpox — the boy did not develop the disease. This led to the development of the first vaccine, derived from the Latin word vacca meaning “cow.”

Significance: Jenner’s discovery laid the foundation of modern immunology and preventive medicine. Smallpox was officially declared eradicated by the WHO in 1980.

The Big Bang Theory explains the origin of the Universe. According to this theory, the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from an extremely hot and dense state that expanded rapidly in all directions. This expansion continues even today, leading to the formation of galaxies, stars, planets, and other cosmic structures. The discovery of the cosmic microwave background radiation provides strong evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory.

Other options (for context)

• Origin of Sun: Explained by the Nebular Hypothesis, not the Big Bang Theory.
• Laws of Chemistry: Studied under physical and inorganic chemistry, unrelated to cosmology.
• Laws of History: Concern human civilizations, not the universe’s formation.

When iron rusts, its weight increases. This is because rusting is a chemical reaction between iron, oxygen, and moisture from the air, forming hydrated iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃·xH₂O). During this process, oxygen atoms from the air combine with the iron, adding extra mass to the metal surface in the form of rust. However, while the weight increases, the structural strength of the iron decreases due to corrosion.

Other options (for context)

• Decreases: Incorrect — mass increases due to the addition of oxygen.
• Remains the same: Incorrect — oxygen from air chemically adds to iron, increasing total mass.
• First increases and then decreases: Not applicable — in normal rusting, weight continues to increase until the surface flakes off.

Explanation: Fibrinogen is a soluble plasma protein produced by the liver. During blood clotting, it is converted into insoluble fibrin threads by the enzyme thrombin. These fibrin threads form a mesh that traps red blood cells and platelets, creating a stable clot to stop bleeding. This process prevents excessive blood loss during injury and is regulated by clotting factors and platelets.

Simplified Reaction:

Fibrinogen → (Thrombin) → Fibrin → Blood Clot

Explanation: In fused (molten) sodium chloride, electric current passes due to the presence of free ions. When solid NaCl is melted, it dissociates into Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, which can move freely and conduct electricity. In the solid state, these ions are fixed in the crystal lattice, so it does not conduct electricity.

Explanation: In humans, the spinal cord gives rise to 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Each spinal nerve is a mixed nerve containing both sensory and motor fibers. They are divided into groups based on the region of the vertebral column from which they originate:

• 8 pairs — Cervical nerves
• 12 pairs — Thoracic nerves
• 5 pairs — Lumbar nerves
• 5 pairs — Sacral nerves
• 1 pair — Coccygeal nerve

These spinal nerves connect the central nervous system (CNS) to different parts of the body, transmitting sensory information to the brain and motor commands to muscles.

Explanation: Malaria and Trichomoniasis are both protozoan diseases, not bacterial. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium species (transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes), while Trichomoniasis is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted protozoan infection. Unlike bacterial diseases, these are treated using antiprotozoal drugs rather than antibiotics.

One molecule of a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) can destroy up to 1,00,000 molecules of ozone (O₃) in the ozone layer. When CFCs reach the stratosphere, they are broken down by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, releasing chlorine atoms. Each chlorine atom acts as a catalyst in the breakdown of ozone molecules, significantly depleting the protective ozone layer that shields Earth from harmful UV rays.

Other options (for context)

• 10,000: Underestimates the destructive potential of a single CFC molecule.
• 10,00,000: Overestimates the number of ozone molecules destroyed.
• No one of the above: Incorrect — the correct answer is 1,00,000 molecules of ozone.