Prelims Exam
- Satpula Dam: A Historical Marvel of Delhi
- Built in 1340 by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, this dam served a dual purpose:
- Reliable source of water for irrigation.
- Defense against intruders.
- Constructed using Delhi quartz, it exemplifies Tughlaq-era masonry skills.
- Centuries later, the water source was diverted, but the structure remains a testament to its era.
- Skin Pigmentation: A Complex Mix of Genes and Environment
- Skin, the largest human organ, gets its color from melanin produced by melanocytes.
- Sunlight exposure is considered a major driver of skin color variation across populations.
- Genes, migration patterns, and environment all interact to create diverse skin tones.
- A recent study has identified a wider range of genes influencing pigmentation.
- Underpriced Onion Exports: Indian Farmers Feel the Pinch
- India, the world’s second-largest onion producer, exports onions during two harvesting cycles.
- Major onion varieties include Agrifound Dark Red, NHRDF Red, and Pusa Ratnar.
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are the leading onion producers.
- Exports go to Bangladesh, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Indonesia.
- However, underpriced exports to the UAE have resulted in windfall profits for some importers, causing grievance among Indian farmers and traders.
- Windfall profits are unexpected gains due to factors like shortages.
4.Phanigiri: A Buddhist Gem Unearthed in Telangana
- Phanigiri is a significant Buddhist site located in Telangana.
- Situated on a hilltop along the ancient Dakshinapatha trade route.
- Excavations revealed a Mahastupa, apsidal halls, votive stupas, viharas, and platforms with staircases.
- Recent discovery of a coin hoard from the Ikshvaku period (3rd-4th centuries CE) sheds light on the site’s historical significance.
- The Ikshvakus were Shaivite rulers, but Buddhism flourished under their reign.
5.Gape Limitation: Shaping Predator-Prey Dynamics in Ecology
- The concept of gape limitation refers to a predator’s physical limitation in consuming prey that fits within its mouth.
- This principle determines predator-prey relationships: small predators target small prey, while larger predators can consume bigger prey.
- Gape limitations influence animal evolution:
- Prey may evolve increased speed or size to escape smaller-mouthed predators.
- Predators may evolve larger mouths to tackle bigger prey.
- Understanding gape limitations is crucial for predicting how changes in ecosystems (predator/prey populations, habitat alterations, environmental disturbances) can impact their structure and function.