[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS STATIC QUIZ, 22 July 2022 – Environment

Solution: a)

Mosses are a common flowerless plant found in all cities especially in damp (humid) or shady locations. It generally absorbs water and nutrients from their immediate environments.

So, according to scientists, delicate mosses found on rocks and trees in cities around the world can be used as low-cost bio indicator to monitor urban pollution and to measure the impact of atmospheric change.

As a bio indicator, mosses respond to pollution or drought- stress by changing its shape, density or disappearing. This characteristic will allow scientists to calculate atmospheric alterations and air pollution.

Solution: a)

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is the amount of light available for photosynthesis, which is light in the 400 to 700 nanometer wavelength range. PAR changes seasonally and varies depending on the latitude and time of day.

Levels are greatest during the summer at mid-day.

Air pollution also affects PAR by filtering out the amount of sunlight that can reach plants.

Photosynthetically Active Radiation is needed for photosynthesis and plant growth. Higher PAR promotes plant growth.

Solution: b)

Living organisms were first evolved on seas and then moved to lands. Simple organisms like blue green algae, bacteria were first evolved, then it lead to corals, spiders and complex animals like snakes, horses etc.,

Solution: d)

All the above are the benefits of sea weeds.

Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to several species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. Seaweed species such as kelps provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other marine species and thus protect food sources; other species, such as planktonic algae, play a vital role in capturing carbon, producing up to 90% of Earth’s oxygen.

Solution: c)

Biotic potential, the maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimum environmental conditions.