Anatomy & Physiology / Fossils
Fossils:
Name two of the 5 major mass extinctions.
End-Ordovician
Late-Devonian
End-Permian (also known as the "Great Dying")
End-Triassic (Triassic-Jurassic)
and End-Cretaceous (or K-Pg) extinctions
Ecology:
What is the term for a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem?
Keystone species
Dynamic Planet:
What is the name for the rise of Earth’s crust after glaciers melt?
Isostatic rebound
Potions and Poisons:
During lab activities, this test is commonly used to detect the acidity or basicity of a solution.
What is a pH test (using pH paper or a pH meter)?
Reach for the Stars:
What is the main sequence classification of our Sun?
G2V star
Fossils:
Name the fossil preservation method where minerals replace original material, such as in petrified wood.
Permineralization
Ecology:
Name two types of biodiversity and describe them.
Species diversity (variety of species) and genetic diversity (variation within species) and Ecosystem Diversity (variety of habitats, communities)
additional answers:
Dynamic Planet:
Which major orbital cycle affects Earth’s glacial periods by changing the shape of its orbit?
Eccentricity (part of Milankovitch cycles)
Meteorology:
What climate classification system is used to categorize world climates based on vegetation and temperature, though abbreviation memorization is not required?
Köppen Climate Classification System
Disease Detectives:
Name the disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria
Anatomy:
Which muscle disorder is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and is often seen in boys?
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Entomology:
What term describes a mutualistic relationship where ants protect aphids in exchange for honeydew?
Symbiosis (specifically mutualism).
Microbe Mission:
Which microbial process converts nitrogen gas into ammonia?
Nitrogen fixation
Meteorology:
These two climate events are part of the ENSO cycle and have global effects on temperature and precipitation patterns.
What are El Niño and La Niña?
Reach for the Stars:
Which variable star type regularly dims and brightens and is used to measure distance in astronomy?
Cepheid variable
Anatomy:
What are the three types of vertebrae?
What are cervical, thoracic, and lumbar?
Entomology:
Which insect family includes beneficial predators that eat aphids and are often spotted?
Coccinellidae (lady beetles/ladybugs)
Microbe Mission:
Which microorganism type thrives in extreme conditions like hot springs or salt flats?
Archaea
Potions and Poisons:
Name two ways students may observe a chemical reaction in lab according to the Potions & Poisons guidelines.
What is color change, gas production, temperature change, or precipitate formation, light ?
Disease Detectives:
In epidemiology, what is the difference between endemic and epidemic?
Endemic is a constant presence; epidemic is a sudden increase in cases.
Anatomy:
Name a bone disease or disorder. The team that lists the most wins!
What is osteoarthritis? (or rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, osteomalacia/rickets, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, Tennis elbow, Golfer's elbow, cruciate ligament tears of the knee, meniscus tears of the knee, and septic arthritis)
Entomology:
Which insect family includes beneficial pollinators known for mimicry of bees and wasps?
Syrphidae (hover flies)
(Double Jeopardy - Double the questions!)
Microbe Mission:
1. What structure do Gram-negative bacteria have that Gram-positive bacteria lack?
2. Which part of a bacterial cell is responsible for protein synthesis?
1. An outer membrane.
2. Ribosomes
(Double Jeopardy) Meteorology:
These types of proxy data can be used to reconstruct past climate conditions (paleoclimate).
Name three.
What are tree rings, ice cores, sediment cores, pollen, speleothems, or fossil shells?
Reach for the Stars:
What term describes the apparent change in wavelength due to motion, helping astronomers determine if a star is moving toward or away from Earth?
Doppler effect (redshift/blueshift).