Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: A genetic disorder characterised by symptoms of premature aging
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Medical terms are frequently asked in general science and general knowledge sections of competitive examinations. Progeria is one such term that has gained attention because of rare but widely reported cases in children. Understanding what the term refers to helps in differentiating between astronomical objects, drugs, and genetic conditions. This question asks you to correctly identify the nature of Progeria from among four alternative descriptions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Progeria is a rare genetic disorder in which children show signs of accelerated aging at a very young age. The word itself comes from Greek roots meaning “prematurely old.” The approach is to connect this meaning and associated symptoms with the correct option. Recognising that it is neither an astronomical object nor a tuberculosis drug helps eliminate distractor options and focus on the genetic disorder description.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Progeria is often mentioned in news stories that show children with features typically associated with old age, such as hair loss, wrinkled skin, and growth failure.Step 2: Understand that these signs strongly suggest a medical or genetic condition, not an astronomical body or a drug.Step 3: Read the options carefully and identify option C, which describes Progeria as “a genetic disorder characterised by symptoms of premature aging.”Step 4: Check that this description matches what you know about Progeria, including its early onset and progressive nature.Step 5: Choose option C as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by remembering that Progeria is usually linked to mutations affecting proteins that help maintain the structure of the cell nucleus. These mutations lead to rapid cell damage and features similar to those of advanced aging. There is no known natural satellite of Jupiter or widely used tuberculosis drug with this name. Therefore, the genetic disorder explanation is the only one that fits medical usage of the term “Progeria.”
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is incorrect because natural satellites of Jupiter carry names such as Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, not Progeria. Option B is incorrect because common tuberculosis drugs include isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide, and Progeria is not a drug. Option D (“None of the above”) is incorrect because option C already accurately describes the condition in question, so “none” cannot be true.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that any unfamiliar term may correspond to “None of the above,” which is risky. Another pitfall is mixing up Progeria with other medical or astronomical terms due to lack of repeated exposure. To avoid these errors, candidates should build a small but solid vocabulary of important medical and genetic terms, paying special attention to conditions that have been highlighted in popular science and health news.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is a genetic disorder characterised by symptoms of premature aging, which is what the medical term “Progeria” refers to.
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