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.

Explanation: Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. It is transmitted through the bite of the female Phlebotomus sandfly. The disease primarily affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, leading to symptoms such as fever, anemia, weight loss, and darkening of the skin. The term “Kala-azar” literally means “black fever.”

Explanation: All enzymes are proteins (except a few RNA-based enzymes called ribozymes). Enzymes act as biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process. They work by lowering the activation energy of reactions, ensuring that metabolic processes occur efficiently at normal body temperatures. Each enzyme is specific to a particular substrate, forming an enzyme-substrate complex to carry out its function effectively.

The Green Revolution is associated with Agriculture. It refers to the period during the 1960s–70s when new technologies like high-yield variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides were introduced to boost food grain production, especially wheat and rice. It helped India achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

• Sericulture: Rearing of silkworms for silk.
• Fishery: Cultivation and harvesting of fish.
• Cultivation of bees: Known as apiculture, for honey production.

Biogas is a source of non-conventional (renewable) energy. It is produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste materials such as animal dung, crop residues, and kitchen waste. Biogas mainly contains methane (CH₄) and is used as a clean fuel for cooking, lighting, and even power generation. It helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes environmental pollution.

Other options (for context)

• Firewood: A traditional biomass fuel, not classified as a modern non-conventional source.
• Diesel: A conventional fossil fuel derived from crude oil.
• Petrol: Another conventional fossil fuel obtained from petroleum refining.

Explanation: The phenomenon of radioactivity was discovered by the French physicist Henri Becquerel in 1896. He accidentally discovered that uranium salts emitted invisible rays that could fog photographic plates, even without sunlight. This led to the realization that certain elements spontaneously emit radiations — a property later termed as radioactivity. Subsequently, Marie and Pierre Curie expanded his work and discovered other radioactive elements like polonium and radium.

Velocity is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. It represents the rate of change of displacement of an object. Unlike speed, which only tells how fast an object is moving, velocity also indicates the direction of motion.

Other options (for context)

• Mass: A scalar quantity — it has magnitude only, no direction.
• Volume: Scalar — represents space occupied by matter, without direction.
• Speed: Scalar — measures how fast an object moves but not in which direction.

Explanation: Human blood is maintained at a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4 (range 7.35–7.45). This balance is vital for the proper functioning of enzymes and biochemical reactions in the body. The buffer systems in blood — primarily the bicarbonate buffer system (H₂CO₃ / HCO₃⁻) — help maintain this stable pH. A small deviation from this range can lead to severe physiological disturbances.

Imbalances:

• Acidosis: pH below 7.35 — causes drowsiness, confusion, and respiratory distress.
• Alkalosis: pH above 7.45 — causes muscle twitching, irritability, and convulsions.