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Quiz about Chemicals in Nature
Quiz about Chemicals in Nature

Chemicals in Nature Trivia Quiz


When one utters the word 'chemical', what most people envision is a mad scientist in a lab-coat mixing brightly-coloured liquids, bubbly test-tubes, and frequent explosions. This quiz focuses on the more "down-to-earth" aspects of chemistry.

A multiple-choice quiz by achernar. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
achernar
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
151,235
Updated
Feb 02 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
9533
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Nealzineatser (9/10), maryhouse (7/10), Guest 212 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Let's begin with "chillis" or "chilli peppers", those pungent things forming an integral part of most of our diets. We put them in our food, and yet we dread them! Which organic compound is responsible for giving us that "burning" sensation when we bite into a chilli? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Lemons, oranges, grapefruit, limes, tangerines, and several other fruits are known for their 'sourness' and similarity in structure. All of them belong to the same genus, and so are very closely related. Which acid gives these fruits their characteristic taste?

Answer: (one or two words)
Question 3 of 10
3. Ever heard of or seen stalactites and stalagmites? Those pointed projections that extend from the ceiling (stalactites) and rise from the floor (stalagmites) of caves and caverns? Both of them are formed by the dripping of solutions of a certain compound. Which compound is the solute in this solution? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This pigment is what affects the colour of the hair, skin and eyes in humans and other mammals. It also helps protect the skin from the Sun's harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays. It is what helps human skin tan in the sun. What is the name of this pigment? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Escherichia coli (or E. coli) bacteria are very essential for us, while at the same time, they can pose a hazard. They break down certain foods we eat, such as beans and green leafy vegetables, to release different nutrients. Which part of our digestive tract do they inhabit? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This acid is the most acidic of all organic acids and has the chemical formula CH2O2. It is present in the stings of stinging nettles, bees and ants. Which acid is this? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A bee-sting, unlike a wasp sting, is acidic in nature.


Question 8 of 10
8. The spider-webs we see around us are constructed out of fine, silky threads of a certain variety of chemical compounds. Which compounds are these? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Getting back to E. coli. These bacteria also manufacture a certain vitamin for us in our bodies; which one is it? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Poison ivy is one of the most harmful plants; its main potent ingredient is a certain oil. Which oil is this? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : Nealzineatser: 9/10
Mar 26 2024 : maryhouse: 7/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 212: 6/10
Mar 24 2024 : szabs: 10/10
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 71: 9/10
Mar 16 2024 : rainbowriver: 10/10
Mar 14 2024 : Marytg: 5/10
Mar 13 2024 : Moggsie: 9/10
Mar 10 2024 : Guest 71: 8/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Let's begin with "chillis" or "chilli peppers", those pungent things forming an integral part of most of our diets. We put them in our food, and yet we dread them! Which organic compound is responsible for giving us that "burning" sensation when we bite into a chilli?

Answer: capsaicin

Capsaicin can cause your skin a lot of trouble just by touching it! Habanero peppers are picked with gloves, for this reason.

The 'heat' of chilli peppers actually has a unit; 'Scoville units'. The 'heat' of bell peppers is 0 Scoville units, Jalapenos range from 3000 to 6000 Scoville units, and that of habaneros is 30000!

Capsaicin is also the chief component of pepper-spray.
2. Lemons, oranges, grapefruit, limes, tangerines, and several other fruits are known for their 'sourness' and similarity in structure. All of them belong to the same genus, and so are very closely related. Which acid gives these fruits their characteristic taste?

Answer: citric acid

Ever wondered why a lemon is so much sourer that an orange? It's because lemons contain a lot more citric acid!

These fruits all belong to the genus Citrus, and are called 'citrus fruits' because of their citric acid content. They are also rich in Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid.

You can read more about citrus fruits here: http://www.thefruitpages.com/citrus.shtml
3. Ever heard of or seen stalactites and stalagmites? Those pointed projections that extend from the ceiling (stalactites) and rise from the floor (stalagmites) of caves and caverns? Both of them are formed by the dripping of solutions of a certain compound. Which compound is the solute in this solution?

Answer: calcium carbonate

The calcium carbonate originates from shells and skeletons of animals that have long since been buried, and from rocks containing limestone and other compounds. Rain-water dissolves this calcium carbonate as it percolates through the rocks.
4. This pigment is what affects the colour of the hair, skin and eyes in humans and other mammals. It also helps protect the skin from the Sun's harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays. It is what helps human skin tan in the sun. What is the name of this pigment?

Answer: melanin

People whose ancestors have been living in tropical and sub-tropical regions tend to have a larger amount of melanin in their skin, to protect them from the Sun's rays, which are much stronger in these regions (near the equator). Hence, they their skin tends to be darker than that of people in latitudes further from the equator.

Albinism is a genetic condition which results in the lack of melanin.

Melanin is also the pigment which helps chameleons change colour, thus enabling them to camouflage.
5. Escherichia coli (or E. coli) bacteria are very essential for us, while at the same time, they can pose a hazard. They break down certain foods we eat, such as beans and green leafy vegetables, to release different nutrients. Which part of our digestive tract do they inhabit?

Answer: large intestine

They are present in the large intestine, the colon to be precise. E. coli bacteria cause disease, but are harmless in the intestine. They are very sensitive to antibiotics like streptomycin.
6. This acid is the most acidic of all organic acids and has the chemical formula CH2O2. It is present in the stings of stinging nettles, bees and ants. Which acid is this?

Answer: formic acid

The name 'formic acid' comes from the Latin word 'formica' for ants. The venom injected by ants contains formic acid.

Formic acid is also called 'methanoic acid'. You can find out more about it here: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formic_acid

Since formic acid is acidic in nature, the sting of a bee / nettle can be eased with the application of base, such as soda on the skin, at the spot of the sting. Bases include calcium hydroxide in the form of lime, and an ammonia solution.
7. A bee-sting, unlike a wasp sting, is acidic in nature.

Answer: True

Although the bee-venom is acidic in nature (pH 5.0 to 5.5), its acidity isn't what makes the sting hurt, unlike in the case of ant-bites, where the pain results from the formic acid contained in the ant's venom. Consequently, the application of an alkaline solution such as baking soda or soap won't help ease the pain caused by a bee-sting. On the other hand, wasp-stings, unlike bee-stings, are close to neutral.
8. The spider-webs we see around us are constructed out of fine, silky threads of a certain variety of chemical compounds. Which compounds are these?

Answer: proteins

Spiders have the ability to vary the type of thread used; for the points important in keeping the web's structure, firm and dry threads are used; and other areas are made of sticky threads, for trapping flies, and other poor, unfortunate prey. Soon they become the spiders' dinner.

The thread of protein used in building a spider's web is stronger than a thread made of steel of the same thickness!
9. Getting back to E. coli. These bacteria also manufacture a certain vitamin for us in our bodies; which one is it?

Answer: Vitamin K (menaquinone)

Vitamin K is essential for the clotting of blood and proper functioning of the liver. It can also be obtained from green leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage, tomatoes, and soybean oil. The E. coli get destroyed by the prolonged use of antibiotics!
10. Poison ivy is one of the most harmful plants; its main potent ingredient is a certain oil. Which oil is this?

Answer: urushiol

Urushiol oil is what causes all the problems on contact with poison ivy. Only one-billionth of a gram of urushiol oil is needed to cause a rash! An interesting page on poison ivy, which is well worth a visit: http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/fastfacts.html

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I hope this quiz was fun and interesting!
Source: Author achernar

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