2001 AIPMT Environmental IssuesOzone Depletion in the Stratosphere Easy Question 1,675 of 1,764 in Physics

Biological importance of Ozone layer is : -

A It stops ultraviolet rays
B Ozone layer reduces green house effect
C Ozone layer reflects radio waves
D Ozone layer controls $O_2/H_2$ ratio in atmosphere

The answer is A.

Solution

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation (especially UV-B) coming from the sun.
UV radiation damages DNA and proteins, causing skin cancer, cataract and damage to plants and plankton.
So the ozone layer acts as a protective shield for life on earth.
It does not reflect radio waves (the ionosphere does) or reduce the greenhouse effect.
So its biological importance is that it stops ultraviolet rays.

Concept Ozone absorbs UV radiation

Physics in past papers

1,764 questions from this chapter have appeared across 27 exam years.