UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 99: Science and Technology

Consider the following statements:

1.The common blue green algae Spirogyra and Ulothrix are found in both fresh water ponds and oceans.
2.The chameleon can look ahead with one eye, and at the same time look behind with another.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

aOnly 1

bOnly 2

cBoth 1 and 2

dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Statement 1 is false: Spirogyra and Ulothrix are green algae, not blue-green algae (the blue-green algae are cyanobacteria, which are a different kind of organism), and Spirogyra is a freshwater alga. Statement 2 is true: a chameleon's eyes move independently, so it can look forward with one eye and backward with the other at the same time.

1. Spirogyra and Ulothrix are green algae, not blue-green algae.
2. A chameleon's eyes move independently of each other.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Statement 1 is false.
(b) Correct: only statement 2.
(c) Statement 1 is false, so both cannot hold.
(d) Statement 2 is true, so 'neither' fails.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.