Mountaineers carry oxygen cylinders because the amount of air (and oxygen) available at high altitudes is much less than that at ground level. As altitude increases, air pressure and oxygen concentration decrease, making breathing difficult and leading to altitude sickness. Supplemental oxygen helps them breathe properly and maintain body function.

• No air above 5 km: Incorrect — air exists but is thinner.
• Lower temperature: True but not the reason for carrying oxygen.
• Higher air pressure: Incorrect — pressure decreases with height.

Explanation: Lysosomes are known as the ‘suicidal bags’ or ‘disposal units’ of the cell because they contain powerful hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down worn-out cell organelles, foreign substances, and even the entire cell when it becomes damaged or diseased.

Explanation: Ringworm (also known as Dermatophytosis or Tinea infection) is a fungal skin disease. It appears as red, circular, itchy patches on the skin, scalp, or nails. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm but by a fungus that grows on keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated objects.

Common Types:

• Tinea capitis: Ringworm of the scalp
• Tinea corporis: Ringworm of the body
• Tinea pedis: Athlete’s foot (infection of feet)
• Tinea cruris: Jock itch (infection of groin area)

Explanation: Acupuncture is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at specific points, called acupoints. It is based on the concept of balancing the flow of life energy (Qi or Chi) through pathways in the body known as meridians. When these energy flows are blocked or imbalanced, it can cause illness or pain.

By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture is believed to restore the normal energy flow and help the body heal itself. It is commonly used to treat:

• Chronic pain (e.g., back, neck, and joint pain)
• Migraines and headaches
• Arthritis and muscle stiffness
• Stress and anxiety

Scientific View: Modern research suggests that acupuncture may stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, boosting the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins).

Explanation: Malaria is not caused by a virus; it is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. The disease spreads through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The parasite enters the human bloodstream, infects liver cells, and then red blood cells, leading to recurring fever, chills, and anemia. In contrast, Smallpox, AIDS, and Flu are all viral diseases caused by the Variola virus, HIV, and Influenza virus respectively.

Explanation: The human retina contains two types of photoreceptor cells — rods and cones. Cones are concentrated in the central part of the retina (fovea) and are sensitive to different wavelengths of light — red, green, and blue. These enable colour vision and visual acuity in bright light. Rods, on the other hand, function in dim light and provide black-and-white vision.

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: A fan provides a feeling of comfort during hot weather because it increases the rate of evaporation of sweat from our skin. As the perspiration evaporates rapidly due to moving air, it absorbs heat from the body, producing a cooling effect and making us feel more comfortable.

Explanation: A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network of computers and peripherals confined to a small geographical area, such as a home, school, or office building. It enables resource sharing, file transfer, and communication among connected devices within the limited range.

Explanation: Acid rain is caused by the presence of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) in the atmosphere. These gases are mainly released from the burning of coal, petroleum, and other fossil fuels in industries and vehicles. When they combine with water vapor and oxygen in the air, they form sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃). These acids mix with rainwater and fall as acid rain, which damages soil, crops, aquatic life, and even monuments like the Taj Mahal.