UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 31 May 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 31 May 2025 We will post 5 questions daily on static topics mentioned in the UPSC civil services preliminary examination syllabus. Each week will focus on a specific topic from the syllabus, such as History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, and more.We are excited to bring you our daily UPSC Static Quiz, designed to help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Each day, we will post 5 questions on static topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus. This week, we are focusing on Indian and World Geography.
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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements regarding Bioluminescent organisms. Bioluminescent organisms are found only in the ocean environments. The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties. In some organisms, Bioluminescence acts as defence mechanism, to protect itself from other organisms. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 1 is incorrect. “Bioluminescent organisms are usually found in the ocean environments, but they are also found on terrestrial environments. The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties.” In the case of fungi, the luminescence comes from the enzyme, luciferase. “The [green] light emits when luciferans is catalysed by the enzyme luciferase, in the presence of oxygen. During the chemical reaction, several unstable intermediate products are released as excess energy that makes them visible as light. Bioluminescent mushrooms may glow for a number of reasons. The simplest explanation could be that bioluminescence attracts insects, which helps in dispersing spores. It may also be a mechanism for the organism to protect itself from frugivorous (or fruit-eating) animals. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 1 is incorrect. “Bioluminescent organisms are usually found in the ocean environments, but they are also found on terrestrial environments. The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties.” In the case of fungi, the luminescence comes from the enzyme, luciferase. “The [green] light emits when luciferans is catalysed by the enzyme luciferase, in the presence of oxygen. During the chemical reaction, several unstable intermediate products are released as excess energy that makes them visible as light. Bioluminescent mushrooms may glow for a number of reasons. The simplest explanation could be that bioluminescence attracts insects, which helps in dispersing spores. It may also be a mechanism for the organism to protect itself from frugivorous (or fruit-eating) animals.
#### 1. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Bioluminescent organisms.
• Bioluminescent organisms are found only in the ocean environments.
• The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties.
• In some organisms, Bioluminescence acts as defence mechanism, to protect itself from other organisms.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
Solution: b)
Statement 1 is incorrect.
“Bioluminescent organisms are usually found in the ocean environments, but they are also found on terrestrial environments. The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties.”
In the case of fungi, the luminescence comes from the enzyme, luciferase. “The [green] light emits when luciferans is catalysed by the enzyme luciferase, in the presence of oxygen. During the chemical reaction, several unstable intermediate products are released as excess energy that makes them visible as light.
Bioluminescent mushrooms may glow for a number of reasons. The simplest explanation could be that bioluminescence attracts insects, which helps in dispersing spores. It may also be a mechanism for the organism to protect itself from frugivorous (or fruit-eating) animals.
Solution: b)
Statement 1 is incorrect.
“Bioluminescent organisms are usually found in the ocean environments, but they are also found on terrestrial environments. The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties.”
In the case of fungi, the luminescence comes from the enzyme, luciferase. “The [green] light emits when luciferans is catalysed by the enzyme luciferase, in the presence of oxygen. During the chemical reaction, several unstable intermediate products are released as excess energy that makes them visible as light.
Bioluminescent mushrooms may glow for a number of reasons. The simplest explanation could be that bioluminescence attracts insects, which helps in dispersing spores. It may also be a mechanism for the organism to protect itself from frugivorous (or fruit-eating) animals.
• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements. Cold water corals, in general, have greater amount of zooxanthellae than warm water corals and does not build reef-like structures. Cold-water corals differ from warm water corals because the former does not contain symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: a) Corals that inhabit the colder deep waters of continental shelves and offshore canyons, ranging from 50 to over 1000m depths lack zooxanthellae and may build reef-like structures or occur solitarily. Cold-water corals are different from their warm-water counterparts because they do not contain symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly. Cold-water corals obtain all their energy from organic matter and zooplankton, which they catch from the currents drifting past. Cold-water corals can be found over a wide range of latitudes, from tropical to Polar Regions, and from the shallow to the deep seas. Incorrect Solution: a) Corals that inhabit the colder deep waters of continental shelves and offshore canyons, ranging from 50 to over 1000m depths lack zooxanthellae and may build reef-like structures or occur solitarily. Cold-water corals are different from their warm-water counterparts because they do not contain symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly. Cold-water corals obtain all their energy from organic matter and zooplankton, which they catch from the currents drifting past. Cold-water corals can be found over a wide range of latitudes, from tropical to Polar Regions, and from the shallow to the deep seas.
#### 2. Question
Consider the following statements.
• Cold water corals, in general, have greater amount of zooxanthellae than warm water corals and does not build reef-like structures.
• Cold-water corals differ from warm water corals because the former does not contain symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
• c) Both 1 and 2
• d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: a)
Corals that inhabit the colder deep waters of continental shelves and offshore canyons, ranging from 50 to over 1000m depths lack zooxanthellae and may build reef-like structures or occur solitarily.
Cold-water corals are different from their warm-water counterparts because they do not contain symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly. Cold-water corals obtain all their energy from organic matter and zooplankton, which they catch from the currents drifting past.
Cold-water corals can be found over a wide range of latitudes, from tropical to Polar Regions, and from the shallow to the deep seas.
Solution: a)
Corals that inhabit the colder deep waters of continental shelves and offshore canyons, ranging from 50 to over 1000m depths lack zooxanthellae and may build reef-like structures or occur solitarily.
Cold-water corals are different from their warm-water counterparts because they do not contain symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly. Cold-water corals obtain all their energy from organic matter and zooplankton, which they catch from the currents drifting past.
Cold-water corals can be found over a wide range of latitudes, from tropical to Polar Regions, and from the shallow to the deep seas.
• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands. Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material. Peatlands are highly space-effective carbon stocks and contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands are formed only under tropical climate conditions. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 3 is incorrect. Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging. Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation. Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation. Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them. Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions. In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism. The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 3 is incorrect. Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging. Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation. Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation. Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them. Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions. In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism. The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts.
#### 3. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands.
• Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material.
• Peatlands are highly space-effective carbon stocks and contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
• Peatlands are formed only under tropical climate conditions.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
Solution: b)
Statement 3 is incorrect.
Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging.
Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation.
Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation.
Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them.
Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions.
In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism.
The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts.
Solution: b)
Statement 3 is incorrect.
Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging.
Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation.
Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation.
Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them.
Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions.
In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism.
The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts.
• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements regarding Coral bleaching. When corals are stressed by changes in temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white. Increase in zooplankton levels triggers coral bleaching. Cold water temperatures also cause coral bleaching. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: c) What is coral bleaching? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached. Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths. List of triggers increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light) increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff) bacterial infections changes in salinity herbicides extreme low tide and exposure cyanide fishing elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[ mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills Incorrect Solution: c) What is coral bleaching? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached. Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths. List of triggers increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light) increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff) bacterial infections changes in salinity herbicides extreme low tide and exposure cyanide fishing elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[ mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills
#### 4. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Coral bleaching.
• When corals are stressed by changes in temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white.
• Increase in zooplankton levels triggers coral bleaching.
• Cold water temperatures also cause coral bleaching.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
Solution: c)
What is coral bleaching?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached.
Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event.
Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths.
List of triggers
• increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures
• oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing
• increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light)
• increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff)
• bacterial infections
• changes in salinity
• herbicides
• extreme low tide and exposure
• cyanide fishing
• elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[
• mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought
• pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin
• ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution
• being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills
Solution: c)
What is coral bleaching?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached.
Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event.
Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths.
List of triggers
• increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures
• oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing
• increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light)
• increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff)
• bacterial infections
• changes in salinity
• herbicides
• extreme low tide and exposure
• cyanide fishing
• elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[
• mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought
• pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin
• ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution
• being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills
• Question 5 of 5 5. Question In which of the following trophic levels, you are likely to find the highest concentration of an organic toxin that has been found in ocean water and the aquatic animals inhabiting it? a) Large fishes at higher trophic levels b) Small fishes at lower trophic levels c) Human being who consumes sea food d) Aquatic plants Correct Solution: c) Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable. These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain. Incorrect Solution: c) Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable. These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain.
#### 5. Question
In which of the following trophic levels, you are likely to find the highest concentration of an organic toxin that has been found in ocean water and the aquatic animals inhabiting it?
• a) Large fishes at higher trophic levels
• b) Small fishes at lower trophic levels
• c) Human being who consumes sea food
• d) Aquatic plants
Solution: c)
Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable.
These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain.
Solution: c)
Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable.
These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain.
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