Question 1

The immune system's sole function is to seek and destroy foreign pathogens.

Accepted Answer

A major and essential part of the immune system actively suppresses immune responses through regulatory T cells (Tregs) to maintain homeostasis and prevent the body from destroying its own tissues.

Question 2

Quantum mechanical effects like tunnelling can only occur at the scale of single atoms or electrons.

Accepted Answer

Quantum tunnelling and energy quantization can occur in macroscopic systems if they are in a collective state, such as billions of Cooper pairs operating in superconducting electrical circuits.

Question 3

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are solid, dense metallic structures used for heavy industrial construction.

Accepted Answer

MOFs are ultra-porous crystalline materials with massive internal cavities, acting like microscopic molecular sponges to trap specific gases or water.

Question 4

Consider the following statements regarding the discoveries honored by the 2025 Nobel Prizes in Science:
1. The FOXP3 gene encodes the master transcription factor that dictates the development of regulatory T cells for maintaining peripheral immune tolerance.
2. Macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling was first demonstrated using standard copper electrical circuits at room temperature.
3. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) utilize their massive internal surface area to capture carbon dioxide and can be engineered to extract water from arid air.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

(b) Only two — Statement 1 is correct; the discovery of the FOXP3 gene's role in Regulatory T cells won the 2025 Medicine Nobel. Statement 2 is incorrect; macroscopic quantum tunnelling was demonstrated using superconducting circuits (Josephson junctions) at ultra-low temperatures, not standard copper at room temperature (which is dominated by thermal noise). Statement 3 is correct; MOFs are highly porous materials recognized by the 2025 Chemistry Nobel for applications like direct air capture of CO2 and water harvesting.

Question 5

Match the scientific concept (List I) with its corresponding application or characteristic (List II) as highlighted by the 2025 Nobel Prizes:

List I:
A. Regulatory T cells
B. Josephson junctions
C. Metal-Organic Frameworks
D. Cooper pairs

List II:
1. Superconducting electrical circuits used to demonstrate macroscopic quantum behaviour.
2. Prevention of autoimmune diseases via active suppression of self-reactive immune responses.
3. Bound charge carriers that allow resistance-free current in superconductors.
4. Ultra-porous crystalline lattices used for hydrogen storage and carbon capture.

Select the correct code:

Accepted Answer

(a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 — Regulatory T cells (A) maintain peripheral immune tolerance preventing autoimmunity (2). Josephson junctions (B) are the superconducting circuits used to prove macroscopic quantum tunnelling (1). MOFs (C) are the ultra-porous frameworks for gas storage (4). Cooper pairs (D) are the electron pairs that carry current without resistance in a superconductor, enabling the quantum states observed in these circuits (3).

Question 6

Assertion (A): Superconducting electrical circuits can be utilized to construct functional qubits for modern quantum computers.
Reason (R): By eliminating environmental thermal noise, superconducting circuits can exhibit discrete, quantized energy levels and quantum tunnelling on a macroscopic scale.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Assertion A is true, as superconducting qubits are the foundation of major quantum computers today. Reason R is also true and correctly explains A; the 1980s experiments by Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis (2025 Physics Laureates) proved that when thermal noise is eliminated at critical temperatures, these macroscopic circuits behave as single quantum objects (exhibiting tunnelling and discrete energy levels), making them perfect for holding quantum information (qubits).

2025 Nobel Prizes in Science Disciplines Announced

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