2023 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I
Question 69: Science and Technology
'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?
aCollecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
bUnderstanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
cUsing air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals
dSending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Aerial metagenomics refers to collecting environmental DNA from the air itself and sequencing all the genetic material in the sample, to detect the species of a habitat in one go. It lets researchers monitor biodiversity without catching animals or plants. It is not the study of birds' genes, nor blood sampling from the air, nor drone collection of physical samples from land and water.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: air is sampled for DNA from the whole habitat at once.
- (b) This restricts the idea to birds' genetics.
- (c) This describes sampling blood from animals, not environmental DNA.
- (d) This describes drone sampling of physical material, not DNA in the air.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.