The Ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere protects living organisms from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Ozone (O₃) absorbs most of the high-energy UV radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth’s surface, where it could cause skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to plants and marine ecosystems. This protective layer is mainly found between 10 to 50 km above the Earth’s surface.

Other options (for context)

• Oxygen: Essential for respiration but does not block UV rays.
• Carbon dioxide: A greenhouse gas responsible for trapping heat, not UV protection.
• Nitrogen: Makes up most of the atmosphere but plays no role in UV absorption.

In organic farming, chemical fertilizers are not used. Instead, farmers rely on natural manures, compost, and biofertilizers to enrich the soil. Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides and focuses on maintaining ecological balance, soil fertility, and sustainable crop production.

• Intercropping: Often used to increase productivity naturally.
• Manures: Essential in organic farming for soil health.
• Biofertilizers: Widely used to promote natural nutrient availability.

Explanation: The rusting of iron is an example of oxidation. When iron reacts with oxygen and moisture from the air, it forms hydrated ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃·xH₂O), commonly known as rust. This process involves the loss of electrons by iron, which is a characteristic feature of oxidation.

Explanation: Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function. A deficiency of Vitamin A leads to night blindness (nyctalopia), a condition in which a person has difficulty seeing in dim light or at night. In severe cases, it can cause xerophthalmia (dryness of the cornea) and even blindness. Vitamin A is obtained from foods such as carrots, milk, butter, fish liver oil, and green leafy vegetables.

Explanation: Seismology is the branch of geophysics that deals with the study of earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth. Scientists who study earthquakes are called seismologists. Seismology helps in understanding the origin, intensity, and effects of earthquakes, as well as the internal structure of the Earth. The intensity of an earthquake is measured using instruments like the seismograph and scales such as the Richter scale or Moment Magnitude scale.

Swine Flu is caused by the H₁N₁ virus, a subtype of the Influenza A virus. It primarily affects the respiratory system and is transmitted from person to person through droplets from coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. The H₁N₁ pandemic in 2009 was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Other options (for context)

• Dengue: Caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
• AIDS: Caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), not H₁N₁.
• Bird flu: Caused by the H5N1 virus, not H₁N₁.