Explanation: Penicillin was discovered accidentally by Alexander Fleming in 1928 when he observed that a fungal mold, Penicillium notatum, inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus bacteria in his culture plates. Penicillin became the first antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and saved millions of lives during World War II. Later, scientists like Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain developed methods for its large-scale production.

Explanation: The element hydrogen is common to all acids. Acids are substances that produce hydrogen ions (H⁺) or hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) when dissolved in water. This property gives acids their characteristic sour taste, the ability to turn blue litmus paper red, and to react with bases to form salts and water. Examples include hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), and nitric acid (HNO₃)—all of which release hydrogen ions in aqueous solution.

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.

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.

A rocket functions based on Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” The rocket expels gases downward at high speed (action), and in response, the rocket is propelled upward (reaction). This principle enables space rockets to move even in the vacuum of space where no air resistance exists.

• Newton’s First Law: Deals with inertia, not propulsion.
• Newton’s Second Law: Explains force and acceleration but doesn’t directly describe rocket thrust.

The O blood group, specifically O negative (O−), is considered the Universal Donor because it can be safely transfused to people of all other blood groups. This is due to the absence of A and B antigens on red blood cells, minimizing the risk of immune reactions during transfusion.

• A: Can donate only to A and AB groups.
• AB: Universal recipient, not donor.
• B: Can donate only to B and AB groups.

Explanation: Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian astronaut to travel into space. He flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984, as part of a joint mission between ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and the Soviet Intercosmos program. During his space mission, he spent about 8 days aboard the Salyut-7 space station. When asked by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space, he famously replied, “Saare Jahan Se Achha.”

Explanation: The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, just beneath the hypothalamus. It is often called the "master gland" because it secretes several hormones (like growth hormone, TSH, FSH, LH, and prolactin) that control other endocrine glands and various physiological processes.