Explanation: Opium is obtained from the latex present in the unripe capsule of the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). The latex is collected by making incisions on the capsule, and after drying, it forms raw opium, which contains alkaloids like morphine and codeine.

Explanation: The time period of a simple pendulum is given by the formula T = 2π√(L/g), where L is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Since the Moon’s gravity is about 1/6th of Earth’s, the value of g decreases, causing the time period to increase.

Explanation: VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet instead of traditional telephone lines. It converts voice signals into digital data packets and transmits them through computer networks, enabling cost-effective communication worldwide.

Aryabhatta was a renowned mathematician and astronomer of ancient India. He lived during the Gupta period (around 476–550 CE) and authored the famous work Aryabhatiya. Aryabhatta introduced the concept of zero (0) and explained the place value system. He also proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis and correctly explained solar and lunar eclipses.

Other options (for context)

• Doctor: No historical evidence of Aryabhatta being a physician.
• Poet: Although his works were written in verse form, his main field was mathematics and astronomy.
• Physicist: The term did not exist in his time; however, his scientific thinking laid foundations for later studies.

Explanation: PARAM 8000 is India's first supercomputer, developed in 1991 by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the leadership of Dr. Vijay Bhatkar. It marked India’s entry into high-performance computing and was capable of 1 GigaFLOP (one billion calculations per second).

Explanation: The main cause of global warming is the rise in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat radiated from the Earth’s surface, creating the greenhouse effect and leading to an overall increase in the planet’s temperature.

Explanation: The main function of the kidneys is to purify blood by removing waste products, excess salts, and extra water from the body in the form of urine. Each kidney contains about one million nephrons, which are the structural and functional units responsible for blood filtration. The kidneys also help in maintaining the acid-base balance, water balance, and blood pressure, and play a role in hormone secretion such as erythropoietin (for RBC production).

Explanation: Mumps is a contagious viral disease caused by the mumps virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family (genus Rubulavirus). It primarily affects the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, leading to painful swelling near the cheeks and jawline.

Mode of Transmission: The infection spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with saliva from an infected person.

Symptoms:

• Swelling and pain in the parotid glands (below the ears)
• Fever and headache
• Muscle pain and fatigue
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

Prevention: Mumps can be effectively prevented by the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine).

Explanation: Dakshin Gangotri is India’s first scientific research station established in Antarctica in 1983–84. It was set up by the Indian Antarctic Programme under the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). Located about 2,500 km from the South Pole, it served as a base for scientific studies related to glaciology, meteorology, and environmental sciences. Though it is now buried under ice and functions as a supply base, it marked India’s permanent presence in Antarctica. Later stations include Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).