Question map
The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4.
The term ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) gained global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an enzyme located on the surface of many cell types in the human body, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys.
- Viral Entry Mechanism: In the context of the spread of viral diseases, ACE2 acts as the primary cellular receptor (or "gateway") for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The spike protein of the virus binds to ACE2 to enter and infect human cells.
- Physiological Role: Normally, ACE2 helps regulate blood pressure by modulating the protein angiotensin II.
Options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect as they relate to biotechnology in agriculture (e.g., Bt cotton), space technology (e.g., NavIC), and wildlife conservation (e.g., telemetry), respectively, none of which involve the ACE2 protein.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Headline Awareness' check. In 2021, ACE2 was the specific receptor cited in every scientific explainer about how SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells. It rewards active reading of the 'Science & Tech' page in newspapers over static book knowledge.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does the term "ACE2" refer to genes introduced in genetically modified plants?
- Statement 2: Is the term "ACE2" associated with the development of India's own satellite navigation system?
- Statement 3: Is the term "ACE2" used in the context of radio collars for wildlife tracking?
- Statement 4: Is the term "ACE2" related to the spread of viral diseases?
- Defines ACE2 as a cell-surface receptor and gives its full name, showing it is a human/host protein.
- Places ACE2 in the context of viral entry (SARS‑CoV‑2), not plant genetic modification.
- Refers to ACE2 as the SARS‑CoV‑2 receptor and discusses producing recombinant forms, indicating a viral/host protein studied in virology.
- Mentions laboratory production of different ACE2 forms, consistent with it being a protein/receptor rather than a transgene for plants.
- States that SARS‑CoV‑2 cell entry depends on ACE2, reinforcing that ACE2 is a host receptor involved in viral infection.
- Context is virology/host cells, not genetically modified plants.
Defines GMO/GM crops and states that foreign genes (transgenes) from other organisms are artificially inserted into plant genomes during genetic modification.
A student could use this rule to check whether ACE2 is listed as a transgene used in plant modification (e.g., in regulatory or product descriptions of GM crops).
Explains that GM crops are plants whose DNA has been modified using genetic engineering and lists typical targets (resistance to bacteria, viruses, pests), implying common types of genes introduced.
A student could compare the known functional role attributed to ACE2 with typical functions of genes introduced into crops to judge plausibility that ACE2 would be used in plants.
Gives a concrete example: GM mustard contains genes from a soil bacterium that confer pest resistance — illustrating that genes named after non-plant sources are used in crops.
A student could ask whether ACE2 is such a gene from another organism used for a trait in a crop (and then search GM mustard or regulatory approvals for ACE2).
Notes the legal/terminological point that companies may claim they are patenting 'genes in seeds' rather than the seed, showing that gene names can be central identifiers in GM crop discussion and documentation.
A student could search patent databases or regulatory filings for the gene name ACE2 to see if it appears associated with any plant/seed patents or approvals.
Provides a concise definition of genetic engineering as removing specific genes from one organism and replacing them with genetic information from another, giving a clear mechanism by which any named gene could be introduced into plants.
A student could use this mechanism to investigate whether ACE2 has ever been transferred between species for agricultural use by checking scientific or regulatory records.
- Explicitly defines ACE2 as a biological receptor: 'angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)'.
- Context in the passage is virology (SARS-CoV-2 spike binding), not satellite technology, so ACE2 is presented as a biological term.
- Describes ACE2 as the cell-surface target for SARS-CoV-2 ('prevents the binding of SARS-CoV-2 onto cell surface ACE2').
- Again, the passage treats ACE2 in a biological/medical context with no mention of satellites or navigation systems.
Defines the names of Indian satellite navigation projects (GAGAN and NavIC) and explicitly calls NavIC an autonomous regional satellite navigation system.
Compare the naming convention (GAGAN, NavIC) with 'ACE2' to see if 'ACE2' fits known program names or appears in official lists of Indian navigation systems.
Lists the three key focus areas of the Indian space programme and explicitly includes 'satellite-aided navigation which includes GAGAN and NavIC'.
Use this list of navigation systems to check whether 'ACE2' is referenced among ISRO's stated navigation projects or focus areas.
Records launches of navigation satellites named IRNSS-1A through IRNSS-1G and IRNSS-11, showing a clear naming pattern for Indian navigation satellite series.
Compare the typical IRNSS/NavIC/IRNSS-# naming pattern against 'ACE2'—if ACE2 does not follow these patterns, it is less likely to be an Indian navigation-satellite designation.
Provides historical context that India developed its own satellite technology and launch vehicles, implying official projects and documented names for indigenous systems.
Use documented histories and project lists (as exemplified here) to search for 'ACE2' in authoritative historical or programmatic records of Indian satellite efforts.
Details many named satellite launches (INSAT, IRS, GSAT, IRNSS) illustrating recurring, program-specific nomenclature used by India for satellites.
Check whether 'ACE2' appears among these program names or launch manifests; mismatch with these established names would suggest 'ACE2' is unlikely to be an Indian navigation system label.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements. Unlock full statement-level provenance with ExamRobot Pro.
Shows that wildlife is 'electronically tag[ged]' (i.e., electronic devices like radio collars are used to track animals).
A student could infer that device model names (e.g., ACE2) might be assigned to such electronic tags and then check manufacturer catalogues or field reports for a collar named ACE2.
Refers to 'modern tracking system' used by wildlife biologists, indicating a variety of technological tracking methods are standard practice.
Combine this with knowledge that modern tracking often uses branded devices — search tracking-technology literature for 'ACE2' as a device/model name.
Lists recent methods for estimating tiger numbers (camera trapping, DNA), illustrating that multiple technical methods coexist and device names might appear in method descriptions.
Use this pattern to justify searching technical methods and field-study appendices for references to specific equipment names like ACE2.
Explains that the meaning of a term changes with context (example of 'particle'), suggesting technical acronyms like 'ACE2' can have very different meanings in different fields.
A student should therefore not assume biological meanings (e.g., ACE2 enzyme) apply in wildlife-tracking contexts and should check device-technology contexts for the same label.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements. Unlock full statement-level provenance with ExamRobot Pro.
- Explicitly links ACE2 to virus spread by noting a positive correlation between virus spread and ACE2.
- Defines ACE2 as "a receptor involved in the entry of the virus into pulmonary cells and inflammation," tying the term to viral infection mechanisms.
- Describes the viral spike glycoprotein binding to the cell-surface receptor ACE2, directly connecting ACE2 to viral entry into host cells.
- Explains the binding is followed by cleavage, membrane fusion, and release of viral RNA, showing ACE2's role in the infection process.
Defines communicable diseases as those caused by pathogens and lists COVID-19 among viral communicable diseases.
A student could note that COVID-19 is a virus and therefore investigate virus-specific factors (e.g., host receptors like ACE2) that influence infection and spread.
Mentions SARS and other rapidly spreading health epidemics that cross borders, highlighting particular viral outbreaks as examples.
Knowing SARS is a viral respiratory disease, a student could check whether molecular terms (such as ACE2) are implicated in SARS-family virus entry into human cells.
Explains that epidemic spread depends on transfer of an effective dose of an infectious agent from an infected to a susceptible person.
A student can infer that factors affecting how readily a virus infects host cells (for example, presence of specific host receptors) would influence that transfer and thus epidemic dynamics.
Lists diseases caused by viruses (e.g., dengue) and links modes of transmission, illustrating that different viruses and transmission routes are important to disease spread.
This prompts checking whether particular viral diseases rely on specific molecular interactions (such as receptor binding) that could involve terms like ACE2.
Describes various modes by which communicable diseases spread (direct contact, contaminated food/water, vectors), emphasizing multiple factors govern transmission.
A student might combine this with the idea that some transmission routes (e.g., respiratory droplets) depend on viral entry into respiratory cells, leading them to investigate receptors like ACE2.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements. Unlock full statement-level provenance with ExamRobot Pro.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Pure Current Affairs. If you read any 'How the Virus Works' article in The Hindu or Indian Express during the pandemic, this was unmissable.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Public Health & Disease Mechanisms. Specifically, the molecular basis of a major ongoing current event (COVID-19).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize sibling pandemic terms: Ct Value (Viral load inverse relation), R-Naught (R0 - reproduction rate), Cytokine Storm (Immune overreaction), mRNA vs Adenovirus Vector (Vaccine platforms), CRISPR-Cas9 (used in Feluda test).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a global phenomenon occurs, do not stop at the surface ('It is a virus'). Drill one level deeper: What is the receptor? What is the test mechanism (RT-PCR)? What is the vaccine technology? UPSC asks for the 'Technical Noun' behind the 'General News'.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance. Available with ExamRobot Pro.
Genetically modified plants are created by inserting foreign genes (transgenes) into the plant genome.
High-yield for UPSC: clarifies what qualifies as a GMO and underpins questions on biotechnology policy, biosafety, and agricultural technology; connects to topics on crop improvement and environmental impacts and helps answer questions contrasting genetic engineering with conventional breeding.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS > p. 301
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 2019 > p. 359
There is a legal and policy distinction between patenting isolated genes and patenting seeds or whole plant varieties.
Important for policy and law portions of UPSC: relevant to debates on intellectual property, the Patents Act, PPVFR, and regulation of biotech companies; enables answers on governance, trade-offs in biotechnology regulation, and landmark cases.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 343
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 342
Alterations in genes change enzyme function and therefore plant traits, which is the biological basis for genetic modification.
Core science grounding for UPSC: helps integrate biology with agricultural applications and policy discussions; useful for questions requiring explanation of how GM traits (e.g., pest resistance, yield) arise and for evaluating biosafety claims.
- Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Heredity > 8.2.3 How do these Traits get Expressed? > p. 131
- Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Heredity > Gregor Johann Mendel (1822–1884) > p. 130
NavIC is India's autonomous regional satellite navigation system and GAGAN is the satellite-based augmentation system used with GPS; both define India's navigation capabilities.
High-yield: Questions frequently target indigenous navigation systems and their civil/military roles. This concept links space policy, navigation technology, and aviation augmentation. Mastery helps answer questions on system purpose, national autonomy in positioning services, and related governance.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > Note: > p. 434
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > SPACE SECTOR > p. 433
IRNSS/NavIC satellites have been launched on PSLV missions; launch history is integral to how India deployed its navigation constellation.
High-yield: UPSC often probes launch vehicles and mission timelines. Understanding which launchers place navigation satellites connects to questions on indigenous launch capability, program milestones, and operational readiness.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 57
ISRO explicitly lists satellite-aided navigation alongside communication and earth observation as a core focus area, framing national priorities in space.
High-yield: Knowing ISRO's priority areas aids answers on budget allocation, program emphasis, and comparative space strategies. It connects to topics on remote sensing applications, navigation services, and national infrastructure planning.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > SPACE SECTOR > p. 433
Electronic tagging, including radio collars, is used to monitor movements of large mammals in high-traffic or vulnerable areas to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
High-yield for UPSC questions on wildlife conservation and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict; connects technology to policy responses (e.g., coordination between ministries and operational measures). Understanding this concept helps answer questions on practical conservation tools and management strategies.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 6: Environmental Issues > What has to be done? > p. 121
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: How Nature Works in Harmony > Be a scientist > p. 203
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts. Unlock micro-concepts with ExamRobot Pro.
The 'Ct Value' (Cycle Threshold) in RT-PCR tests. A lower Ct value (e.g., <25) indicates a high viral load, while a higher value (>35) indicates low viral load. This inverse relationship is a prime candidate for a tricky statement-based question.
Etymology Hack: 'ACE' stands for Angiotensin-Converting **Enzyme**. Enzymes are biological proteins. This immediately eliminates Option B (Satellites) and Option C (Radio Collars/Hardware). You are left with A (GM Plants) and D (Disease). In the context of 2021, a human enzyme is far more likely to be linked to the global health crisis than a niche GM crop gene.
Links to GS-3 Disaster Management & Governance. Understanding the biological mechanism (airborne spread via ACE2 receptors in lungs) dictates the administrative response (ventilation policies, mask mandates) rather than just surface sanitization.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault. Unlock the Mentor's Vault with ExamRobot Pro.