➤ Foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to increased blood pressure.
★ Such diets are risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

➤ Tobacco contains high levels of nicotine, a highly addictive substance affecting the nervous system.
★ Long-term use increases risks of cancer and heart disease.

➤ Alcoholic beverages are not part of the Indian Food Guide Pyramid.
★ The guide promotes balanced, nutritious foods, avoiding alcohol and unhealthy substances.

➤ Bacteria are decomposers that break down dead organic material.
★ They play a key role in nutrient recycling in ecosystems.

➤ Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains like barley and rye.
★ It gives dough its elasticity and structure.

➤ Arthropoda is the largest phylum, including insects, crustaceans, and arachnids.
★ It accounts for over 80% of known animal species.

➤ Plastids, including chloroplasts, are found only in plant cells.
★ They are responsible for photosynthesis and pigment storage.

➤ Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A and a powerful antioxidant found in carrots.
★ It supports vision and may reduce cancer risk.

➤ A deer is a mobile food source for predators.
★ It is a herbivorous prey and part of the terrestrial food chain.

➤ Dental plaque forms when bacteria and food particles stick to the teeth.
★ It can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not cleaned regularly.

➤ Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in RBC formation, nerve function, and DNA synthesis.
★ Its deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological disorders.

➤ The human eyeball is nearly spherical in shape, enabling uniform focusing of light on the retina.
★ This structure supports effective vision.

➤ Flagella are whip-like structures used by bacteria for movement.
★ They enable motility in liquid environments.

➤ The iris is a muscular structure that regulates pupil size to control light entry.
★ It also gives the eye its color.

➤ Ribosomes are the only common organelles in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, involved in protein synthesis.
★ They differ in size (70S vs 80S).

➤ Leeches are segmented worms belonging to the phylum Annelida.
★ They are known for their blood-sucking capability and use in medicine.

➤ Garlic is rich in manganese and selenium, which are antioxidants and support enzyme functions.
★ These minerals also aid in immune health.

➤ Platyhelminthes have a flat, unsegmented body structure.
★ Commonly called flatworms, they include tapeworms and planarians.

➤ Ernst Haeckel coined Oekologie (Ecology) to describe interactions between organisms and their environment.
★ It laid the foundation of modern ecological science.

➤ Anton Van Leeuwenhoek discovered Spirogyra and Animalcules using a simple microscope.
★ He is known as the father of microbiology.

➤ Ctenoplana, a member of phylum Ctenophora, exhibits bioluminescence, the ability to produce and emit light.
★ This trait helps in predator evasion and communication.

➤ Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that allow water molecules and some solutes to pass through the cell membrane efficiently.
★ They are crucial in maintaining water balance.

➤ Sphincter muscles control the opening and closing of passages in the body, including the anal sphincter, which helps in waste expulsion.
★ They ensure voluntary and involuntary control.

➤ In anaphase, the non-kinetochore spindle fibers elongate the cell by pushing poles apart.
★ This step helps in preparing the cell for division into two daughter cells.

➤ Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium with a thick peptidoglycan layer and teichoic acid in its cell wall.
★ This provides structural strength and immune evasion.

➤ The hypostome in ticks is a barbed structure that allows them to attach securely and feed on the host.
★ It also aids in fluid exchange during feeding.