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Biology-- Just for Fun Trivia Quiz

A little bit of diverse biology trivia of varying difficulty. This quiz does not take itself very seriously -- each question has one answer intended to be humorous. Good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by dr_VITZ. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
dr_VITZ

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
8,881

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
13 / 20

Plays
62548

Awards
Editor's Choice

Last 3 plays: muzzyhill3 (15/20), Guest 62 (18/20), spf_quiz (15/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. The energy used by most living beings on the earth to feed, move, and reproduce all comes from what original source? Hint

Twinkies

the soil

the sun

the water

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Question 2 of 20

2. Jellyfish have a body plan that is described by biologists by what name? Hint

annelid

coelenterate

tubular

scrum-dilly-icious

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Question 3 of 20

3. Which of the following is composed of nervous tissue? Hint

the spinal cord

the skin

the liver

a paper mache statue of Jerry Lewis

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Question 4 of 20

4. A leech survives by feeding off the blood of other, larger beings. What is this type of behavior known as? Hint

working for the IRS

mutualism

parasitism

heterophagism

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Question 5 of 20

5. Lobsters, crabs, and shrimp all belong to what group of animals? Hint

Chordata

Arthropods

Icthyata

Paella

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Question 6 of 20

6. Which of the following lives in a cocoon for part of its life cycle? Hint

a moth

a crab

a mollusk

Dick Clark

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Question 7 of 20

7. Which of the following vertebrates lacks a bony spine? Hint

a salamander

a lamprey

a frog

a lawyer

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Question 8 of 20

8. Where are you more likely to find the largest number of living organisms (including microbes) in one gallon of water? Hint

Arctic Ocean

Caspian Sea

Caribbean Sea

Mick Jagger's swimming pool

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Question 9 of 20

9. Why do fish swim in schools? Hint

to confuse predators

to surround prey

to chase away larger fish

to get to college

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Question 10 of 20

10. Which of the following animals are gutless? Hint

tapeworms

earthworms

sea cucumbers

salamanders

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Question 11 of 20

11. Many herbivorous animals, such as rabbits, will pass partially digested food in the feces only to be eaten again for further digestion. What is this process called? Hint

gastrulation

refection

rumination

really, really gross

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Question 12 of 20

12. Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium form nodules on the roots of leguminous plants. They are important in the food cycle because: Hint

They make vegetables tasty with farm-fresh goodness

They produce vitamin A

They fix nitrogen into nitrates

They decontaminate the soil

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Question 13 of 20

13. What is the overgrowth of algae in ponds and lakes that occurs when nitrates from the soil escape into groundwater called? Hint

the green peril

proalgacia

eutrophication

lichenification

14. The increasing use of nitrogen fertilizers has sent more and more nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and water during the last century. Which of the following problems on earth is partly due to this fact? Hint

overgrowth of algae in streams and lakes, leading to decreased oxygen levels

increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels

decreased rainfall

proliferation of daytime talk shows

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Question 15 of 20

15. What is a gizzard? Hint

a drunken lizard

a hollow lymphoid organ where B lymphocytes mature

a muscular digestive organ, often containing small stones to help grind food

a specialized respiratory organ used to produce sound

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Question 16 of 20

16. What is an animal that eats only meat called? Hint

an omnivore

a Teamster

a canine

a carnivore

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Question 17 of 20

17. In almost every species of mammals, the female is only receptive to mating during a certain time of year. This period is called: Hint

diapause

estrus

allopatrium

prom

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Question 18 of 20

18. The word 'taxon' refers to what? Hint

a reproductive organ of nonflowering plants which defines the male gender

a category that describes animals which have a defined set of homologous structures

an intervening region of noncoding DNA within a gene

what the Karate Kid does before he is told to 'taxoff'

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Question 19 of 20

19. What is the scientific term for a 'cold-blooded' animal? Hint

a poikilotherm

a cryotherm

a homeotherm

a prosecuting attorney

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Question 20 of 20

20. In many invertebrates, especially flatworms, ovaries and testes occur in the same animal. What is such an animal called? Hint

a dizygote

a hermaphrodite

a dicot

one happy worm

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Today : muzzyhill3: 15/20
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Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The energy used by most living beings on the earth to feed, move, and reproduce all comes from what original source?

Answer: the sun

The energy of the sun is captured by plants and algae by photosynthesis.

2. Jellyfish have a body plan that is described by biologists by what name?

Answer: coelenterate

Coelenterate means 'sac-like,' and refers to the existence of a blind feeding pouch known as a coelenteron. Examples of other coelenterates include sea anemones and freshwater hydras.

3. Which of the following is composed of nervous tissue?

Answer: the spinal cord

The spinal cord is really a direct extension of the brain.

4. A leech survives by feeding off the blood of other, larger beings. What is this type of behavior known as?

Answer: parasitism

5. Lobsters, crabs, and shrimp all belong to what group of animals?

Answer: Arthropods

Insects also belong to this group, making it the largest among all animal phyla.

6. Which of the following lives in a cocoon for part of its life cycle?

Answer: a moth

A cocoon protects the pupa of some insects during metamorphosis.

7. Which of the following vertebrates lacks a bony spine?

Answer: a lamprey

Hagfishes, lampreys, rays, sharks, and eels are the only vertebrates without a bony skeleton. They are classed as cartilaginous creatures, with their skeletons consisting of cartilage.

8. Where are you more likely to find the largest number of living organisms (including microbes) in one gallon of water?

Answer: Arctic Ocean

Cold, turbulent waters harbor the most biomass, in part because oxygen dissolves more in cold water than warm water.

9. Why do fish swim in schools?

Answer: to confuse predators

Apparently, predators must focus on just one fish in order to strike successfully. Distracted by the school, they lose focus.

10. Which of the following animals are gutless?

Answer: tapeworms

Because the tapeworm lives inside the gut of a host, it has evolved to absorb nutrients directly from outside its body.

11. Many herbivorous animals, such as rabbits, will pass partially digested food in the feces only to be eaten again for further digestion. What is this process called?

Answer: refection

Rabbit nutrition actually depends on it. Separate pellets are passed as true feces.

12. Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium form nodules on the roots of leguminous plants. They are important in the food cycle because:

Answer: They fix nitrogen into nitrates

Rhizobium species and cyanobacteria can both do this. Without them, DNA, proteins, and all life as we know it would not be possible.

13. What is the overgrowth of algae in ponds and lakes that occurs when nitrates from the soil escape into groundwater called?

Answer: eutrophication

Eutrophication means 'causing good growth.' Overgrowth and decomposition of algae can (paradoxically) steal oxygen from the water, causing fish and other creatures to die.

Answer: overgrowth of algae in streams and lakes, leading to decreased oxygen levels

Although nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can cause silly behavior, scientists have not yet found a link to Jerry Springer.

15. What is a gizzard?

Answer: a muscular digestive organ, often containing small stones to help grind food

16. What is an animal that eats only meat called?

Answer: a carnivore

17. In almost every species of mammals, the female is only receptive to mating during a certain time of year. This period is called:

Answer: estrus

The smaller the species, the shorter the time between each estrus cycle tends to be.

18. The word 'taxon' refers to what?

Answer: a category that describes animals which have a defined set of homologous structures

Thus, organisms are classified by taxonomy.

19. What is the scientific term for a 'cold-blooded' animal?

Answer: a poikilotherm

Poikilotherms such as reptiles aren't actually cold. Their body temperature varies and is regulated by the environment and their behavior. Perhaps more common is the term 'ectotherm,' referring to the fact that the animals must rely on external heat.

20. In many invertebrates, especially flatworms, ovaries and testes occur in the same animal. What is such an animal called?

Answer: a hermaphrodite

Hermaphrodites are normally unable to fertilize themselves.

Source: Author dr_VITZ

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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