UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies
Question 105: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following statements :
- 1.The Taxus tree naturally found in the Himalayas.
- 2.The Taxus tree is listed in the Red Data Book.
- 3.A drug called “taxol” is obtained from Taxus tree is effective against Parkinson’s disease.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Taxus (the Himalayan yew, Taxus wallichiana) occurs naturally in the Himalayas, so statement 1 is correct. It has been heavily exploited and is listed as threatened in the Red Data Book (IUCN Red List), so statement 2 is correct. Taxol (paclitaxel), obtained from its bark and needles, is used against cancers such as ovarian and breast cancer, not Parkinson's disease, so statement 3 is wrong. Remember: Taxus, taxol, cancer.
- 1. The Himalayan yew grows naturally in the Himalayas.
- 2. It is listed as a threatened species in the Red Data Book.
- 3. Taxol is used against cancer, not Parkinson's disease.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: It is listed as a threatened species in the Red Data Book.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: Taxol is used against cancer, not Parkinson's disease.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 2 is also correct.
- (b) Right: statements 1 and 2 are correct.
- (c) Statement 1 is correct and statement 3 is wrong.
- (d) Statement 3 is wrong: taxol is an anti-cancer drug.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.