Obsolete Science Terms

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Many ancient Greeks, starting with the philosopher Anaximenes, believed that the essence of life was this substance, related to the Greek word for 'breath'. Name the substance. Bronchia Pleura Pneuma Trachea

2. It took the discovery of which chemical element to discredit the long-held idea of the existence of 'phlogiston', a false theory developed by German scientist J. J. Becher? Sodium Oxygen Nitrogen Carbon

3. Medieval scientists and doctors believed in the existence of four key liquids of the body that they called 'humours'. Among the four humours, which was believed to be the cause of ill-tempered moods? Melancholy Choler Phlegm Blood

4. Which of these modern words is related to the phrase 'philosopher's stone', a substance sought after by medieval alchemists for its life-generating, and, more importantly, gold-producing properties? Potion Elixir Philtre Poison

5. One of the following terms was often used by scientists of the past to describe very small animals, such as insects, that best could be seen under a microscope. Which of these terms is being described? Cytomals Virosites Animalcules Microplasms

6. 'Melancholy', another of the four humours believed to make its way through the human body during medieval times, is also known as which colored bile? White Green Red Black

7. Now a name for an organic chemical compound, this term formerly was applied to a mythical substance that was said to be all-pervasive, especially in the heavens. Which of these substances fits the description? Benzene Ether Phenol Glycerol

8. Which 'Q' word describes a substance believed from ancient times to be the building block of the heavenly bodies, such as the sun and stars? Quinquagesima Quinquereme Quiescence Quintessence

9. Before the development of the modern wave-particle theory of light, wherein the term 'photon' has become predominant, which of these terms was commonly used to refer to light 'particles'? Globules Corpuscles Scintillas Illuminants

10. Prior to our modern understanding of genetics and cell theory, it was believed by some early biologists that each spermatozoon carried a tiny, fully-formed human being. What was the term used to describe this diminutive person? Homunculus Autogenera Manikin Flageolet