Explanation: Stars appear to twinkle at night due to the refraction of light by the Earth's atmosphere. As starlight passes through different layers of air with varying densities, its path bends continuously, causing the light’s intensity and position to appear to change, creating the twinkling effect.

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.

Diseases like Polio and Chicken Pox are caused by viruses. The Polio virus attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, while the Varicella-zoster virus causes Chicken Pox, characterized by itchy blisters and fever. Viruses are acellular infectious agents that can reproduce only inside the living cells of a host organism.

Other options (for context)

• Bacteria: Cause diseases like tuberculosis, cholera, and typhoid, not polio or chicken pox.
• Protozoa: Cause diseases such as malaria and amoebiasis.
• Algae: Generally non-pathogenic; they do not cause human diseases like polio or chicken pox.

Explanation: The statement “Exercise does not help in managing psychological discomfort” is incorrect. Regular physical exercise helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins — the body’s natural mood enhancers. It also improves overall mental health, cardio-respiratory fitness, reduces the risk of diabetes, and strengthens bones.

Explanation: The Sun produces its enormous energy through the process of nuclear fusion. In this process, hydrogen nuclei (protons) combine under extremely high temperature and pressure to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. The main fusion reaction in the Sun is the proton–proton chain. Unlike fission (splitting of nuclei), fusion combines light nuclei, and this is what powers all stars, including the Sun.

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.

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: Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta (β) cells of the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Its main function is to regulate the blood glucose level by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells and converting excess glucose into glycogen in the liver and muscles. A deficiency or lack of insulin causes diabetes mellitus, leading to high blood sugar levels. The pancreas also secretes glucagon, which performs the opposite function by increasing blood glucose levels.

In India, the most widely used form of renewable energy is Solar Energy. Due to the country’s tropical location, India receives abundant sunlight throughout the year, making solar power a highly viable and sustainable energy source. It is harnessed using solar panels for electricity generation and heating applications under initiatives like National Solar Mission.

• Geothermal energy: Used only in limited pilot projects.
• Hydro-electric energy: Important but not as rapidly expanding as solar.
• Thermal energy: Usually refers to non-renewable coal-based power plants.