Explanation: Alcohols are organic compounds composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). They are characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups attached to a carbon atom. The general formula of alcohols is C_nH_2n+1OH. A common example is ethanol (C₂H₅OH), which is used in beverages, fuels, and sanitizers. The -OH group makes alcohols polar, soluble in water (especially lower alcohols), and reactive in many organic reactions.

Explanation: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was discovered by Dr. Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, in 1938 at the Sandoz Laboratories in Switzerland. LSD is a powerful hallucinogenic compound derived from lysergic acid, which occurs in the fungus Claviceps purpurea (ergot) that grows on rye. Hofmann accidentally discovered its psychological effects in 1943 when he absorbed a small amount through his skin, leading to vivid visual hallucinations. LSD acts on serotonin receptors in the brain and profoundly alters perception and mood.

Explanation: The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the body. It is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in the neck region, just below the larynx. It secretes the hormones thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃), which control metabolism, growth, and energy utilization. The thyroid also produces calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium levels in the blood.

Functions of the Thyroid Gland:

• Regulates metabolic rate (BMR)
• Influences growth and development
• Maintains body temperature and energy balance
• Regulates calcium metabolism via calcitonin

Disorders:

• Hypothyroidism: Leads to goitre, myxedema, or cretinism
• Hyperthyroidism: Leads to weight loss, anxiety, and increased heart rate

Explanation: Execution time is the period during which a job or program is actively processed by the computer’s CPU. It refers to the actual time taken to execute instructions, excluding waiting or idle times such as input/output delays or queue time.

Explanation: A modem (short for modulator-demodulator) is a device that enables computers to communicate with each other over telephone lines. It converts digital signals from a computer into analog signals for transmission and then back into digital form at the receiving end.

Explanation: During photosynthesis, green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). The oxygen gas released in this process comes specifically from the splitting of water molecules — a reaction known as photolysis of water, which occurs in the light-dependent reaction inside the chloroplasts.

Chemical equation:

6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O

The oxygen atoms in the released O₂ come entirely from the original water molecules, as demonstrated by isotopic experiments using heavy oxygen (O¹⁸) tracers.

Explanation: The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake and the only snake species that builds a nest to lay its eggs. The female collects leaves, twigs, and debris to construct a mound-like nest, usually near dense vegetation or fallen logs. She lays about 20–40 eggs in the nest and guards them aggressively until they hatch, showing remarkable parental care — a rare behavior among reptiles.

Once the eggs are about to hatch, the female leaves the nest to avoid eating her own offspring, as King Cobras are carnivorous and feed mainly on other snakes.

Explanation: The major cause of global warming is the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. CO₂ is a greenhouse gas that traps heat radiating from the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space — a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions have significantly increased CO₂ levels, leading to a rise in the Earth’s average temperature, melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and climate change.