Science & Tech. (Nobel Prize in the fields of Science and Technology) by Rajvardhan

Category: GS -III,

Test Date: 04 Dec 2023 07:00 AM

Evaluated: Yes

Science & Tech. (Nobel Prize in the fields of Science and Technology) by Rajvardhan

Instruction:

There will be 2 questions carrying the First Question is-10 marks Write your answers in 150 words and the Second Question is-15 marks Write your answers in 250 words.
Any page left blank in the answer-book must be crossed out clearly.
Evaluated Copy will be re-uploaded on the same thread after 2 days of uploading the copy.
Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty. You will be informed via mail or SMS for the discussion.

Question #1. Discuss the core concept of vaccine development. How mRNA vaccines work? Give any two examples of mRNA vaccines. 10 marks (150 words)

Question #2. What are quantum dots? Why they are considered as special? Discuss their applications. 15 marks (250 words)

(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).

STEPS & INSTRUCTIONS for uploading the answers

Step 1 - The Question for the day is provided below these instructions. It will be available at 7:00 AM.

Step 2 - Uploading of Answers : Write the answer in A4 Sheet leaving proper margins for comments and feedback and upload the PDF in MY ACCOUNT section. Click on the option of SUBMIT COPY to upload the PDF.

Step 3 - Deadline for Uploading Answers: The students shall upload their answers by 7:00 PM in the evening same day. The first 50 copies will be evaluated.

Step 4 - Feedback : Mentors will give their feedback for the answers uploaded. For more personalised feedback, join our telegram channel by clicking on the link https://t.me/mains_answer_writing_cse . A one-to-one session will be conducted with the faculty after copy evaluation in 72 Hrs.

Model Answer

Question #1. Discuss the core concept of vaccine development. How mRNA vaccines work? Give any two examples of mRNA vaccines. 10 marks (150 words)

Ans

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious or malignant disease. Usually, vaccines contain a weakened or killed form of the disease-causing agent, its surface proteins or its toxins. When this preparation is introduced into the human body, the immune system is able to recognize the threat and destroy it. Moreover, the body will “remember” the threat and can initiate an appropriate response if encountered in the future.

mRNA Vaccines:

mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, usually a small piece of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane. (Individuals who get an mRNA vaccine are not exposed to the virus, nor can they become infected with the virus by the vaccine.) By using this mRNA, cells can produce the viral protein. As part of a normal immune response, the immune system recognizes that the protein is foreign and produces specialized proteins called antibodies.

Antibodies help protect the body against infection by recognizing individual viruses or other pathogens, attaching to them, and marking the pathogens for destruction. Once produced, antibodies remain in the body, even after the body has rid itself of the pathogen, so that the immune system can quickly respond if exposed again. If a person is exposed to a virus after receiving mRNA vaccination for it, antibodies can quickly recognize it, attach to it, and mark it for destruction before it can cause serious illness.

There are several reasons that the mRNA platform technology has emerged at the forefront as a vaccine technology. Among these are the rapid speed at which mRNA candidate vaccines can be constructed and manufactured and the necessity to rapidly develop vaccines against newly emergent pathogens, such as emerging influenza virus strains, Zika virus, and most recently SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Two of the vaccines used to prevent the COVID-19 infection (coronavirus disease) are mRNA vaccines. These are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Question #2. What are quantum dots? Why they are considered as special? Discuss their applications. 15 marks (250 words)

Ans

Quantum dots are tiny particles or nanocrystals of a semiconducting material with diameters in the range of 2-10 nanometers (10-50 atoms). They were first discovered in 1980.

Within a quantum dot, there are confined valence band holes, conduction band electrons, or excitons. These are the particles that carry the electricity, and because of this confinement, the quantum dot has a distinct energy level.

The electrons within a quantum dot have to occupy an energy level that ‘fits’ inside it, and when excitation occurs these electrons emit a photon. Excitation can be caused by the quantum dot coming into contact with a light or electricity source.

The longest wavelengths of light (red light) are produced by the biggest quantum dots, and the shortest wavelengths of light (blue light) are generated by the smallest quantum dots.

Quantum Dot Applications

Quantum dots are proving to be a very promising solution for a range of optical applications, due to their outstanding properties.

One of the most typical applications is for displays, including televisions, and smart phones. Quantum dots provide greatly enhanced colors for displays due to the high level of fine-tuning possible. They also help to improve quality control of displays, reducing the risk of variations.

Also quantum dots can also be used for making efficient solar panels and for the diagnosis of cancers. Hence they can play revolutionary role in shaping human life in 21st century.

Mains Answer Writing

Science & Tech. (Nobel Prize in the fields of Science and Technology) by Rajvardhan

Model Answer

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