Running water is the source of hydel power (also called hydroelectric power). The energy of flowing or falling water is converted into electrical energy using turbines and generators in dams. It is a renewable, clean, and sustainable source of energy widely used in India and worldwide.

• Thermal power: Generated by burning coal or other fuels.
• Nuclear power: Produced from nuclear fission reactions.
• None of the above: Incorrect — running water directly produces hydel power.

Explanation: The term "Ozone hole" does not mean an actual hole but refers to a significant decrease in the thickness of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. This thinning occurs mainly over the Antarctic region during spring (September–November) due to chemical reactions involving chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances. These chemicals release chlorine and bromine atoms, which destroy ozone (O₃) molecules. The thinning allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach the Earth's surface, causing health and environmental hazards.

Insulin was discovered by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in 1921 at the University of Toronto. Banting and his team successfully isolated insulin from the pancreas, which became a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. For this discovery, Frederick Banting and J.J.R. Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923.

Other options (for context)

• Jonas E. Salk: Discovered the first successful polio vaccine.
• Alexander Fleming: Discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic.
• Roentgen: Discovered X-rays in 1895.

Explanation: Proteins are complex organic compounds composed of smaller units called amino acids. Each amino acid contains an amino group (–NH₂), which contributes nitrogen to the molecular structure. This makes nitrogen an essential element in all proteins. Carbohydrates and fats lack nitrogen, while only some vitamins contain it.

Explanation: The pair Faraday : Diffusion of gases is incorrect. The law of diffusion of gases was given by Thomas Graham, not Michael Faraday. Faraday is known for his work on electromagnetism and electrolysis. The other pairs are correctly matched.

Explanation: The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, lying above the troposphere and extending from about 10 km to 50 km above the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer contains a high concentration of ozone gas (O₃), which absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This protective shield prevents genetic damage, skin cancer, and other harmful effects on living organisms.

Explanation: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts its shadow on the Earth. This happens during the new moon phase, when all three celestial bodies are almost in a straight line. Depending on the alignment, the eclipse can be total (Sun completely covered), partial (Sun partially covered), or annular (ring-shaped Sun visible). During this event, sunlight is blocked for a short time in specific areas of the Earth’s surface.

Explanation: The DNA sequencing technique was developed by Frederick Sanger in 1977. His method, known as the Sanger chain termination method, determines the nucleotide sequence of DNA using labeled dideoxynucleotides (ddNTPs) that terminate DNA chain elongation. This technique revolutionized molecular biology and became the foundation for genome sequencing projects such as the Human Genome Project.

Metals can be beaten into thin sheets because they are malleable. Malleability is a physical property of metals that allows them to withstand hammering or rolling without breaking. This property is due to the metallic bonding where positive metal ions are surrounded by a ‘sea’ of delocalized electrons, allowing the layers of atoms to slide over each other without breaking the bond. Examples of highly malleable metals include gold, silver, and aluminium.

Other options (for context)

• Ductile: Refers to the ability of metals to be drawn into wires, not beaten into sheets.
• Soft: Not true for all metals — many are hard yet malleable.
• Loosely arranged particles: Incorrect — metal atoms are closely packed in a lattice structure.