Corn
Etymology
Hands
Capsaicin
Beans
Cuisine
100
Corn is native to which region?
Mesoamerica/America
100
The word “hippopotamus” comes from Greek meaning what?
A) River beast
B) Water cow
C) River horse
D) Mud giant
C) River horse
(hippos = horse, potamos = river)
100
In which country was Hans Christian Andersen born?
Denmark
100
What is the active compound in hot peppers that creates the burning sensation?
Capsaicin
100
What is the primary nitrogen-fixing partner organism associated with bean roots?
A) Yeast
B) Algae
C) Rhizobia bacteria
D) Fungi
C) Rhizobia bacteria
100
Which West African staple dish is traditionally made from fermented locust beans and is known as “iru” in Nigeria and “dawadawa” in Ghana?
A) Egusi
B) Fufu
C) Fermented locust bean condiment
D) Suya
E) Nutella
C) Fermented locust bean condiment
200
Corn relies primarily on which method of pollination?
A) Insect pollination
B) Self-pollination underground
C) Wind pollination
D) Water pollination
C) Wind pollination
200
The symbol “Ag” for silver comes from Latin argentum, which is related to a word meaning what?
A) Shiny
B) White
C) Money
D) Moon
B) White
200
Which artery primarily forms the deep palmar arch?
A) Ulnar artery
B) Radial artery
C) Brachial artery
D) Interosseous artery
B) Radial artery
200
What scale is used to measure the heat of chili peppers?
Scoville Scale
200
What culinary influence inspired the creation of tacos al pastor in Mexico? (Answer is a COUNTRY!)
Lebanese — Al pastor traces back to Lebanese immigrants who brought shawarma-style cooking to Mexico, which later evolved into tacos al pastor.
300
What is the wild ancestor of modern corn (maize)?
A) Sorghum
B) Teosinte
C) Barley
D) Millet
B) Teosinte
300
The name William ultimately comes from Germanic roots meaning what?
A) Noble protector
B) Resolute protector
C) King of warriors
D) Brave leader
B) Resolute protector
(wil = will/desire, helm = helmet/protection)
300
How many bones are in one human hand (including the wrist)?
27!
300
Capsaicin primarily activates which type of receptor in the human body?
A) TRPV1
B) Dopamine receptors
C) Serotonin receptors
D) Olfactory receptors
A) TRPV1! Pain and Heat!
300
Which toxin found in undercooked kidney beans can cause severe illness?
A) Solanine
B) Lectin
C) Cyanide
D) Tannin
e)Botulism toxin
B) Lectin
300
What plant family does mustard belong to?
A) Nightshade
B) Rose
C) Brassica
D) Grass
C) Brassica
400
What percentage of the world’s corn production is used directly for human consumption?
A) ~10–15%
B) ~30–40%
C) ~50–60%
D) ~80–90%
A) ~10–15%
400
The word “orangutan” comes from Malay/Indonesian meaning what?
A) Forest man
B) Red ape
C) Tree dweller
D) Wild human
A) Forest man
400
What is the medical term for the thumb?
A) Pollex
B) Hallux
C) Carpals
D) Phalanx
A) Pollex
400
Which pepper held the Guinness World Record for hottest pepper before Pepper X?
Carolina Reaper
400
Which bean variety is the main ingredient in traditional Japanese Anko?
ADZUKI BEANS!!!!
400
Which Italian region is most closely associated with the origin of balsamic vinegar?
A) Tuscany
B) Lombardy
C) Emilia-Romagna
D) Veneto
C) Emilia-Romagna
500
Which process developed in Mesoamerica improves the nutritional value of corn by treating it with an alkaline solution?
Nixtamalization
500
The name Guinevere comes from the Welsh Gwenhwyfar. What color word does gwen most directly mean?
White!
This is also where we get penguin!
500
Which movie earned Hans Zimmer his first Academy Award for Best Original Score?
The Lion King
500
Which country is considered the origin of domesticated chili peppers?
Mexico is widely considered the primary origin of domesticated chili peppers, with evidence suggesting domestication occurred in the central-east region of the country around 6,000 years ago. While wild ancestral peppers originated in South America, the specific Capsicum annuum species—most common today—was cultivated in Mexico and Mesoamerica long before European arrival.
500
What compound in beans is largely responsible for causing gas during digestion?
A) Glucose
B) Fructose
C) Lactose
D) Raffinose
E) Cellulose
F) Starch
G) Sucrose
H) Maltose
D) Raffinose
500
Which ancient empire, famous for the Code of Hammurabi, also developed early agricultural practices that included growing grains and spices used in cooking?
The Babylonian Empire
600
Which biochemical limitation in maize protein can lead to widespread nutritional deficiency when untreated?
A) Low lysine and tryptophan content in zein
B) Excess methionine
C) High gluten content
D) Lack of fatty acids
A) Low lysine and tryptophan content in zein
600
Which of the following represents a classic lenition pathway in linguistics?
A) b → p → t → k
B) k → t → p → b
C) p → f → h → ∅
D) d → t → k → s
C) p → f → h → ∅
600
Injury to which nerve results in “ape hand” deformity?
A) Ulnar nerve
B) Radial nerve
C) Median nerve
D) Axillary nerve
C) Median nerve
600
What is the approximate LD₅₀ (oral, in rats) of capsaicin? Answer in mg/kg, closest team wins!
175mg/kg (150-200, split the diff)
600
Which country is the largest producer of soybeans in the world?
Brazil!!!
600
Which country is credited with inventing the dessert pavlova?
New Zealand — Though debated with Australia, New Zealand has strong historical claims tied to the ballerina Anna Pavlova.