Q1. What is Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)?
- A disease that affects plant pollination
- A condition in which the queen bee leaves the hive
- A phenomenon where worker bees disappear suddenly, leaving behind the queen and young bees
- A type of pesticide used to control bee population
Correct Option: 3. A phenomenon where worker bees disappear suddenly, leaving behind the queen and young bees.
Explanation: Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a phenomenon where a large number of worker bees suddenly vanish from a beehive, leaving behind the queen, immature bees (brood), and adequate food supply like honey and pollen. This sudden disappearance weakens the colony, making it unsustainable. The exact cause is unknown, but multiple factors contribute to it, and without worker bees, the hive collapses over time.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a likely cause of CCD?
- Overpopulation of bees in the hive
- Pesticide exposure
- Varroa mite
- Malnutrition
Correct Option: 1. Overpopulation of bees in the hive.
Explanation: While CCD has several known contributing factors—such as parasitic mites (like Varroa), exposure to harmful pesticides, and nutritional deficiencies due to poor-quality food replacements—overpopulation is not one of them. In fact, stronger, populous hives are often more resilient. CCD is primarily characterized by a weakening or sudden loss of worker bees, not by overcrowding.
Q3. Why are neonicotinoids considered dangerous for bees?
- They kill bees on direct contact
- They confuse bees and affect their ability to return to the hive
- They increase bee fertility and overcrowd hives
- They make nectar taste bitter
Correct Option: 2. They confuse bees and affect their ability to return to the hive.
Explanation: Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides that act on the nervous systems of insects. Bees exposed to these chemicals—often through pollen or nectar—may not die immediately but suffer from sublethal effects. These include impaired memory, learning, and navigation, making it difficult for them to return to the hive. This contributes significantly to the CCD phenomenon.
Q4. What role do bees play in agriculture?
- They aerate the soil
- They spread plant diseases
- They pollinate crops, aiding food production
- They protect plants from pests
Correct Option: 3. They pollinate crops, aiding food production.
Explanation: Bees are among the most effective pollinators in nature. When they collect nectar, they also carry pollen from one flower to another, enabling cross-pollination. This process is essential for the reproduction of many plants and crops. Without bees, at least 30% of the world’s food crops and 90% of wild plants would be at risk of reduced growth and reproduction, seriously threatening global food security.
Q5. Which constitutional provision obligates Indian citizens to protect the environment?
- Article 370
- Article 48A and Article 51A(g)
- Article 21B
- Article 14
Correct Option: 2. Article 48A and Article 51A(g)
Explanation: Article 48A of the Indian Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy) requires the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. Article 51A(g) outlines the fundamental duty of every Indian citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. These provisions form the constitutional basis for environmental conservation in India.