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#1 Folic acid is the synthetic form of which vitamin?
Explanation
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which is vitamin B9. It's essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and the formation of red blood cells. Pregnant women are often prescribed folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects.
#2 What does the term "isolation" refer to in microbiology?
Explanation
In microbiology, isolation refers to the process of separating a pure strain of microorganism from a mixed culture or natural environment. This is typically done using techniques like streak plating or serial dilution to obtain colonies of a single species for study.
#3 What does the scientific name of the Cambrian-Period sea creature Anomalocaris mean?
Explanation
Anomalocaris means 'abnormal shrimp' in Latin. When first discovered, fossil fragments were misidentified as separate creatures, including what was thought to be a shrimp-like organism. It was actually one of the largest predators of the Cambrian period, reaching up to 6 feet in length.
#4 Which of the following are cells of the adaptive immune system?
Explanation
Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) are part of the adaptive immune system, which provides specific, memory-based immunity. They kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells. Dendritic cells and natural killer cells belong to the innate immune system, while 'white blood cells' is too general a term.
#5 Coulrophobia is the irrational fear of what?
Explanation
Coulrophobia is the persistent, irrational fear of clowns. The term comes from the Greek 'kolon' (limb) and 'phobos' (fear). This phobia often develops in childhood and can be triggered by the exaggerated features, unpredictable behavior, or hidden identity associated with clowns.
#6 Burning which of these metals will produce a bright white flame?
Explanation
Magnesium burns with an extremely bright white flame, producing magnesium oxide. This reaction is so intense that it can cause temporary blindness if viewed directly. Magnesium was historically used in photography flash powder and is still used in fireworks and flares.
#7 What is considered the rarest form of color blindness?
Explanation
Blue color blindness (tritanopia or tritanomaly) is the rarest form, affecting less than 1% of the population. It's caused by defects in the short-wavelength (S) cone cells that detect blue light. Red-green color blindness is much more common, affecting about 8% of men.
#8 Which is not a type of neuron?
Explanation
'Perceptual Neuron' is not a recognized type of neuron. The three main functional types are: sensory neurons (detect stimuli), motor neurons (control muscles), and interneurons (connect other neurons and process information in the brain and spinal cord).
#9 How many legs is it biologically impossible for a centipede to have?
Explanation
Despite their name meaning 'hundred feet,' centipedes never actually have 100 legs. They have one pair of legs per body segment, and always have an odd number of leg pairs (ranging from 15-177 pairs). Since 100 legs equals 50 pairs (an even number), it's biologically impossible.
#10 What is the molecular formula of Glucose?
Explanation
Glucose has the molecular formula C6H12O6, meaning it contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms. It's the primary source of energy for cells and is commonly known as blood sugar. The other options represent acetic acid (C2H4O2), potassium ion (K+), and methane (CH4).
#11 What physics principle relates the net electric flux out of a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface?
Explanation
Gauss's Law states that the electric flux through any closed surface is proportional to the total electric charge enclosed within that surface. This fundamental law of electromagnetism is one of Maxwell's four equations and is incredibly useful for calculating electric fields in symmetrical situations.
#12 What is the same in Celsius and Fahrenheit?
Explanation
The temperature -40 degrees is the same in both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. This can be verified using the conversion formula F = (9/5)C + 32. When C = -40, F = (9/5)(-40) + 32 = -72 + 32 = -40. This is the only temperature where both scales intersect.
#13 In the Scoville scale, what is the hottest chemical?
Explanation
Resiniferatoxin (RTX) is the hottest chemical on the Scoville scale, measuring 16 billion Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It's extracted from a cactus-like plant and is about 1,000 times hotter than pure capsaicin. It's so potent that it's used in research for pain management and desensitization studies.
#14 The chemical element Lithium is named after the country of Lithuania.
Explanation
This is false. Lithium is named after the Greek word 'lithos' meaning 'stone,' because it was first discovered in petalite, a mineral. It was discovered by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson in 1817, and the name has no connection to Lithuania.
#15 In quantum physics, which of these theorised sub-atomic particles has yet to be observed?
Explanation
The graviton is a theoretical particle that would mediate the gravitational force in quantum field theory, but it has never been observed. The other particles have all been detected: Z boson (1983), tau neutrino (2000), and gluon (1979). Gravitons would be extremely difficult to detect due to gravity's weakness.
#16 What nucleotide pairs with guanine?
Explanation
In DNA, guanine (G) always pairs with cytosine (C) through three hydrogen bonds, forming one of the strongest base pairs. The other complementary pair is adenine (A) with thymine (T) in DNA, or adenine with uracil (U) in RNA. This complementary base pairing is crucial for DNA replication and transcription.
#17 How long is a light-year?
Explanation
A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.461 trillion kilometers (5.879 trillion miles). Since light travels at 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum, multiplying by seconds in a year gives this enormous distance used to measure astronomical distances.
#18 What is the unit of electrical inductance?
Explanation
The henry (H) is the SI unit of electrical inductance, named after Joseph Henry. Inductance measures a conductor's ability to oppose changes in electric current. Weber measures magnetic flux, coulomb measures electric charge, and mho (now called siemens) measures electrical conductance.
#19 How many types of quarks are there in the standard model of physics?
Explanation
There are six types (flavors) of quarks in the standard model: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. They come in three generations: first (up, down), second (charm, strange), and third (top, bottom). Each quark also has an anti-quark partner, making 12 total quark particles.
#20 In physics, conservation of energy and conservation of momentum are both consequences of which of the following?
Explanation
Noether's Theorem states that every continuous symmetry corresponds to a conservation law. Conservation of energy comes from time translation symmetry, and conservation of momentum comes from spatial translation symmetry. This fundamental theorem connects symmetries to conservation laws in physics.
#21 The 'Islets of Langerhans' is found in which human organ?
Explanation
The Islets of Langerhans are clusters of endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce hormones including insulin (beta cells) and glucagon (alpha cells). Named after Paul Langerhans who discovered them in 1869, these islets are crucial for blood sugar regulation and diabetes development.
#22 Which horizon in a soil profile consists of bedrock?
Explanation
The R horizon consists of unweathered bedrock. Soil horizons from top to bottom are: O (organic), A (topsoil), E (eluviated), B (subsoil), C (parent material), and R (bedrock). The R horizon is the consolidated rock underlying all other layers and is the source material for soil formation.
#23 Which major extinction event was caused by an asteroid collision and eliminated the majority of non-avian dinosaurs?
Explanation
The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event occurred 66 million years ago when a massive asteroid struck Earth near the Yucatan Peninsula. This impact created the Chicxulub crater and caused global climate changes that led to the extinction of about 75% of Earth's species, including non-avian dinosaurs.
#24 What is isobutylphenylpropanoic acid more commonly known as?
Explanation
Isobutylphenylpropanoic acid is the chemical name for ibuprofen, a common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin production to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. It was developed in the 1960s by Boots UK.
#25 What is the scientific name of the knee cap?
Explanation
The patella is the scientific name for the kneecap, a small, flat, triangular bone that sits in front of the knee joint. It's a sesamoid bone (formed within a tendon) that protects the knee joint and increases the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps muscle during leg extension.
#26 A comet's gaseous envelope (which creates the tail) is called what?
Explanation
A comet's coma is the nebulous envelope of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus when the comet approaches the Sun. Solar radiation causes ice to sublimate, creating this gaseous atmosphere. The solar wind then pushes material from the coma away to form the distinctive tail that always points away from the Sun.
#27 Frederick Banting and John Macleod won a Nobel Prize for their contributions to the scientific fields of quantum mechanics.
Explanation
This is false. Frederick Banting and John Macleod won the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of insulin, not for quantum mechanics. Their work revolutionized diabetes treatment and saved countless lives. The discovery involved extracting insulin from dog pancreases.
#28 Which of these animals belongs in class Chondrichthyes?
Explanation
The great white shark belongs to class Chondrichthyes, which includes all cartilaginous fish (sharks, rays, and skates). These animals have skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone. Octopus is a mollusk, killer whale is a mammal, and catfish is a bony fish (class Osteichthyes).
#29 Which moon is the only satellite in our solar system to possess a dense atmosphere?
Explanation
Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is the only satellite in our solar system with a dense atmosphere. Its atmosphere is primarily nitrogen (95%) with methane clouds and lakes. The atmospheric pressure is 1.5 times Earth's, making it the most Earth-like body in the solar system despite its extremely cold temperatures.
#30 Which of the following is considered classical conditioning?
Explanation
Pavlov's dog experiments demonstrated classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (bell) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (food) to produce a conditioned response (salivation). Skinner box involves operant conditioning, Schrödinger's cat is a quantum mechanics thought experiment, and Harlow studied attachment in primates.
#31 The word "science" stems from the word "scire" meaning what?
Explanation
The word 'science' comes from the Latin word 'scire,' which means 'to know.' This etymology reflects science's fundamental purpose: to acquire knowledge and understanding about the natural world through systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis.
#32 All of the following human genetic haplogroup names are shared between Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups EXCEPT:
Explanation
Haplogroup U exists only in mitochondrial DNA classification, not in Y-chromosome haplogroups. Haplogroups L, T, and J are found in both Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA systems, though they represent different lineages. This naming overlap can be confusing in genetic genealogy studies.
#33 Which of these chemical compounds is NOT found in gastric acid?
Explanation
Sulfuric acid is not found in gastric acid. Gastric acid primarily contains hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion, along with potassium chloride and sodium chloride as electrolytes. Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and would be extremely dangerous if present in the human digestive system.
#34 What is the scientific name for the extinct hominin known as "Lucy"?
Explanation
Lucy belongs to the species Australopithecus afarensis. This 3.2-million-year-old fossil was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 and represents one of the most complete early hominin skeletons. She was named after the Beatles song 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' that was playing at the discovery camp.
#35 What is the scientific name of the red fox?
Explanation
The scientific name of the red fox is Vulpes vulpes. This binomial nomenclature follows the system where the genus name (Vulpes) is repeated as the species name, called a tautonym. Red foxes are the most widespread carnivorous mammals in the world, found across the Northern Hemisphere.
#36 Albert Einstein won a noble prize for his theory of relativity.
Explanation
This is false. Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, not for his theory of relativity. The photoelectric effect was crucial in establishing quantum theory. His relativity theories, while revolutionary, were still considered too controversial at the time.
#37 Which is the chemical name of H2O?
Explanation
The systematic chemical name for H2O is dihydrogen monoxide, indicating two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. This formal name is sometimes used satirically in 'dihydrogen monoxide hoax' campaigns to demonstrate scientific illiteracy, as people fear this 'dangerous chemical' without realizing it's just water.
#38 An organic compound is considered an alcohol if it has what functional group?
Explanation
Alcohols are defined by the presence of a hydroxyl functional group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom. This group gives alcohols their characteristic properties including hydrogen bonding, higher boiling points, and their ability to dissolve in water. Common examples include methanol (CH3OH) and ethanol (C2H5OH).
#39 What is the molecular formula of Ozone?
Explanation
Ozone has the molecular formula O3, consisting of three oxygen atoms. It forms naturally in the stratosphere where it protects Earth from harmful UV radiation, but at ground level it's a harmful pollutant. Ozone is less stable than regular oxygen (O2) and readily breaks down to release a reactive oxygen atom.
#40 Where in the human body is the Pineal Gland located?
Explanation
The pineal gland is located in the brain, specifically in the epithalamus near the center of the brain between the two hemispheres. This small endocrine gland produces melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. René Descartes famously called it the 'seat of the soul.'
#41 Which one of these is scientific term for "Brain Freeze"?
Explanation
Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia is the scientific term for brain freeze or ice cream headache. It occurs when cold substances rapidly cool the roof of the mouth, causing blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, triggering pain in the sphenopalatine ganglion nerve cluster.
#42 What is the most potent toxin known?
Explanation
Botulinum toxin, produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, is the most potent toxin known to science. Just 1 nanogram per kilogram of body weight can be lethal. Paradoxically, small controlled doses are used medically (Botox) to treat muscle spasms and cosmetically to reduce wrinkles.
#43 The Western Lowland Gorilla is scientifically know as?
Explanation
The Western Lowland Gorilla has the trinomial name Gorilla gorilla gorilla, where the genus, species, and subspecies all share the same name. This triple repetition is unusual in taxonomy. These gorillas are the most numerous gorilla subspecies but are still critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
#44 How much radiation does a banana emit?
Explanation
Bananas emit about 0.1 microsieverts of radiation due to their natural potassium-40 content. This has led to the 'Banana Equivalent Dose' (BED) being used as an informal measurement to help explain radiation exposure levels to the public. A chest X-ray is equivalent to about 1,000 bananas.
#45 Which of the following is NOT a word used to describe an earthquake?
Explanation
'Drop-slide' is not a real seismological term. Foreshock refers to smaller earthquakes that precede the main shock, strike-slip describes horizontal fault movement, and temblor is another word for earthquake (from Spanish meaning 'to tremble'). These are all legitimate earthquake-related terms.
#46 What causes the sound of a heartbeat?
Explanation
The characteristic 'lub-dub' sound of a heartbeat is caused by the closure of heart valves. The 'lub' (S1) sound occurs when the tricuspid and mitral valves close at the start of systole, while the 'dub' (S2) sound occurs when the aortic and pulmonary valves close at the end of systole.
#47 Which of these is a stop codon in DNA?
Explanation
TAA is one of the three stop codons in DNA (the others being TAG and TGA). Stop codons signal the termination of protein synthesis during translation. When the ribosome encounters a stop codon, it releases the newly synthesized protein and disassembles from the mRNA.
#48 What element on the periodic table has 92 electrons?
Explanation
Uranium has 92 electrons, which equals its atomic number (92 protons). It's the heaviest naturally occurring element and is radioactive. Uranium-235 is used in nuclear reactors and weapons, while uranium-238 is the most common isotope found in nature.
#49 If you planted the seeds of Quercus robur what would grow?
Explanation
Quercus robur is the scientific name for the English oak tree, one of the most common oak species in Europe. These mighty trees can live for over 1,000 years and are symbols of strength and endurance. Their acorns (seeds) develop into large deciduous trees that support diverse wildlife ecosystems.
#50 What is the name for the auditory illusion of a note that seems to be rising infinitely?
Explanation
A Shepard tone is an auditory illusion where a pitch seems to continuously ascend or descend without ever actually getting higher or lower. Created by Roger Shepard, it uses overlapping frequencies at different octaves that fade in and out to create this impossible endless rising effect. It's used in film scores to create tension.