2000 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 119: Science and Technology
Phytotron is a facility to
agrow plants under disease-free conditions
bconserve endangered species of plants
cgrow plants under controlled conditions
dinduce mutations
AnswerThe answer is (c).
A phytotron is a research facility with controlled chambers where light, temperature, humidity and other conditions can be set and varied. It is used to study how plants grow and respond to the environment. It is not a quarantine unit, a gene bank or a mutation facility.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) A phytotron controls environmental conditions; it is not a disease-free facility.
- (b) Conserving endangered plants is the job of gene banks and botanical gardens.
- (c) Right: it is for growing plants under controlled conditions.
- (d) Inducing mutations is done by radiation or chemicals, not by a phytotron.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.