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Quiz about The Particles of Life
Quiz about The Particles of Life

The Particles of Life Trivia Quiz


This is an introduction to the particles that make up all of life as we know it.

A multiple-choice quiz by mitchcumstein. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
368,055
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
380
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Question 1 of 10
1. What element is the basis for all known life on earth? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What is the elementary particle of life that is also the first element in the periodic table of elements? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What element is considered the most important macro-nutrient for plant life? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What element is vital to life via aerobic respiration as well as a requirement in the production of fire? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What macro-nutrient for plant growth is also the red part of a typical wood match? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This entirely vital particle of life grows naturally in volcanic emissions with a strong smell associated with it. Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The six most common biologically significant molecules of life, made from covalent combinations, makes an acronym that is a homophone with what alcoholic beverage? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The six most abundant elements that make up life are responsible for making the majority of the matter in living systems via the production of lipids, proteins, and what vital mechanism for life? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What ancient Greek philosopher is responsible for conjecturing the original cosmogenic theory of the four classical elements (earth, air, fire, water), writing about them in prose? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Life is solely defined by organic compounds.



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What element is the basis for all known life on earth?

Answer: Carbon

It is assumed that if life exists outside of earth, it must be carbon based. This has become known as carbon chauvinism.
2. What is the elementary particle of life that is also the first element in the periodic table of elements?

Answer: Hydrogen

Hydrogen is also the most abundant element in the universe and vital for reactions of all stars.
3. What element is considered the most important macro-nutrient for plant life?

Answer: Nitrogen

All plants require different amounts of nitrogen and it is often difficult to dial-in to the exact requirement because of many differing factors. Nitrogen denotes the vast majority of the atmosphere that we breath making it an imperative part of life. It was discovered by a Scottish physician named Daniel Rutherford in 1772.
4. What element is vital to life via aerobic respiration as well as a requirement in the production of fire?

Answer: Oxygen

There are oxygen rich liquids which can be used for liquid breathing, replacing air in respiration. They are called oxygen-rich perfluorocarbons which have practical uses in diving, medical procedures, and space travel. They contain more oxygen than air and could be more efficient than breathing for certain activities.
5. What macro-nutrient for plant growth is also the red part of a typical wood match?

Answer: Phosphorus

Phosphorus was the first element discovered since ancient times. An alchemist named Henning Brand was attempting to discover the philosophers stone when he accidentally discovered phosphorus. He realized it would readily ignite and named it "phosphorus mirabilis" (miraculous bearer of light).
6. This entirely vital particle of life grows naturally in volcanic emissions with a strong smell associated with it.

Answer: Sulfur

"Fire and brimstone sermons" owe their etymology to sulfur growing near volcanoes and giving off offensive odors.
7. The six most common biologically significant molecules of life, made from covalent combinations, makes an acronym that is a homophone with what alcoholic beverage?

Answer: Schnapps

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus and Sulfur = C,H,N,O,P,S. CHNOPS is the acronym often used to remember the six most abundant elements necessary for life. Schnapps and CHNOPS are homophones because they would be pronounced the same although spelled differently.
8. The six most abundant elements that make up life are responsible for making the majority of the matter in living systems via the production of lipids, proteins, and what vital mechanism for life?

Answer: Nucleic Acids

It is highly speculative if life could exist substituting any of the 6 particles of life, there are several theories that it is possible. The very definition of what life is defined as often changes with the times as well.
9. What ancient Greek philosopher is responsible for conjecturing the original cosmogenic theory of the four classical elements (earth, air, fire, water), writing about them in prose?

Answer: Empedocles

Although Plato was the first one to describe these as "elements", Empedocles had the first concept of the four elements. It was later theorized that another element must be necessary for life. All elements were long considered to take the shape of the five platonic solids (not discovered by Plato but well-known through Plato's writings).
10. Life is solely defined by organic compounds.

Answer: False

An organic compound is any compound that contains carbon. The presence of carbon does not describe something as alive.

Life is not very well defined but is best described as having one or all of the following characteristics: 1) Homeostasis 2) Organization, 3) Metabolism, 4) Growth, 5) Adaptation, 6) Response to stimuli, 7) Reproduction.

This is not necessarily a rock solid definition, as all accepted life does not have all of these characteristics, as well as things generally not considered alive have an alarming high amount of these characteristics. There are other definitions of life that try to explain life as well, with varying degrees of success.
Source: Author mitchcumstein

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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