Explanation: Respiration is a biochemical process in which food molecules (mainly glucose) are oxidized to release energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This energy is then used for various life processes such as movement, growth, repair, and maintenance. Respiration occurs in all living cells and takes place mainly inside the mitochondria.

Chemical Equation:

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)

In contrast, photosynthesis stores energy in glucose molecules, while respiration releases that stored energy for cellular use.

Explanation: The chemical name of baking powder is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), also known as baking soda. It is a mild alkali used in cooking and baking as a leavening agent. When heated or mixed with an acid (like vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar), it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas (CO₂). The bubbles of CO₂ make the dough rise and become soft and spongy. In commercial baking powder, sodium bicarbonate is often mixed with a weak acid and a drying agent.

Explanation: Malaria is caused by a parasitic infection of the genus Plasmodium. The disease spreads to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. When the mosquito bites, it injects Plasmodium sporozoites into the bloodstream, which travel to the liver, multiply, and infect red blood cells. Common species causing malaria include P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae, and P. ovale. Symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, and anemia. It can be prevented by mosquito control and use of antimalarial drugs.

The pale yellow colour of urine is due to the presence of the pigment Urochrome. Urochrome is a waste product formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is produced when hemoglobin is metabolized into urobilin and then excreted through urine. The intensity of the yellow color can vary depending on hydration levels — darker urine indicates dehydration, while pale urine indicates proper hydration.

Other options (for context)

• Urophyll: No such pigment exists in human physiology.
• Chlorophyll: Green pigment found in plants, not in urine.
• Chloroplast: Cell organelle in plants where photosynthesis occurs, not a pigment.

Insecticides primarily act upon the nervous system of insects. They interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses, leading to paralysis and ultimately death. Common insecticides like organophosphates and carbamates inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, causing continuous nerve stimulation. Some others, like pyrethroids, disrupt sodium channel functioning in nerve cells.

Other options (for context)

• Muscular system: Indirectly affected due to nerve failure, but not the primary target.
• Digestive system: Rarely affected — insecticides mainly disrupt neural signaling, not digestion.

Explanation: The terms Dolby B and Dolby C refer to noise reduction circuits used in tape recorders and sound systems. These technologies reduce background hiss and unwanted noise during playback and recording, thereby improving the overall sound quality.

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).

The normal body temperature of a healthy human being is approximately 37 °C, which is equivalent to 98.6 °F. This temperature is maintained through a balance between heat production and heat loss in the body. The body’s thermoregulation is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain to ensure proper functioning of enzymes and metabolic processes.

Other options (for context)

• 98.4 °C: Incorrect — the correct equivalent in Fahrenheit is 98.6 °F, not in Celsius.
• 14.5 °C: Much lower than the human body temperature — such a value would indicate hypothermia or death.
• 25 °C: Represents a mild room temperature, not body temperature.

Explanation: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a tall, jointed, perennial grass belonging to the family Poaceae. It has thick stems rich in sucrose, which is extracted to produce sugar. The plant reproduces mainly through stem cuttings (vegetative propagation). Its structure and growth habit are similar to other grasses like maize and bamboo.