Scientific Lexicon - "D" Trivia Quiz

Answer: diffusion

Diffusion is the process by which particles move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until they are evenly distributed. This movement occurs naturally because particles are always in constant motion and tend to spread out to occupy available space.

Diffusion is important in many biological and physical processes. For example, in the human body, oxygen diffuses from the lungs into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the bloodstream into the lungs.

Answer: dystrophy

Dystrophy refers to a group of disorders where tissues or organs, particularly muscles, weaken or waste away over time due to abnormal development or lack of proper nourishment. The term is most commonly associated with muscular dystrophies, which are genetic conditions that cause progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass.

These disorders occur because of mutations in genes that are responsible for producing proteins essential for healthy muscle function.

Answer: decibel

A decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure the intensity or loudness of a sound. It is based on a logarithmic scale, meaning each increase of 10 decibels represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. For example, a sound at 30 dB is ten times louder than a sound at 20 dB. Decibels are also used to measure other types of intensity, such as in electronics or signal strength.

In terms of hearing, 0 dB is the quietest sound a human can hear, while sounds above 85 dB, like heavy traffic or loud music, can cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure

Answer: diatom

A diatom is a type of microscopic algae that lives in oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water. They are single-celled organisms with cell walls made of silica, giving them intricate, glass-like structures. Diatoms are an important part of aquatic ecosystems because they are primary producers, using sunlight to perform photosynthesis and produce oxygen.

They form the base of the food chain, serving as a food source for many marine organisms. Diatoms also help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Answer: density

Density is a measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume of a substance. It is calculated using the following formula: density = mass ÷ volume. It is usually expressed in units like grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³). Objects with a higher density have more mass in the same amount of space compared to those with a lower density. For example, a rock is denser than a piece of wood because it has more mass in a similar volume.

Density plays an important role in understanding why objects float or sink; an object will float in a fluid if its density is lower than the fluid's density.

Answer: diurnal

The term "diurnal" refers to organisms or processes that are active during the day and rest at night. Many animals, such as humans, birds, and most reptiles, are diurnal because their activities, like feeding, hunting, or socializing, are adapted to daylight hours.

Plants can also have diurnal patterns, such as opening their flowers or performing certain parts of photosynthesis during the day. The opposite of diurnal is nocturnal, which describes organisms that are active at night.

Answer: dolomite

Dolomite is a type of mineral and a sedimentary rock primarily made of calcium magnesium carbonate. It often forms in shallow, warm marine environments where limestone interacts with magnesium-rich water, a process called dolomitization. Dolomite is commonly found as large rock formations, called dolostone, and is used in various industries.

It serves as a source of magnesium and is used in construction, particularly in making concrete.

Answer: diffraction

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves as they pass around an obstacle or through a small opening. It occurs with all types of waves, including light, sound, and water waves. The amount of diffraction depends on the size of the obstacle or opening compared to the wavelength of the wave; the effect is more noticeable when the opening or obstacle is similar in size to the wavelength.

For example, light creates patterns of bright and dark areas when it passes through a narrow slit, and sound waves can bend around corners or behind objects, allowing you to hear someone speaking even if they're not in direct view. (This is different from reflection, in which a sound bounces off a surface, making an echo.)

Answer: disaccharide

A disaccharide is a type of carbohydrate made up of two simple sugar molecules, called monosaccharides, joined together. Common examples include sucrose (table sugar), lactose (found in milk), and maltose (found in malted foods). These sugars are formed when two monosaccharides bond and release a molecule of water.

In the body, enzymes break disaccharides down into their monosaccharides during digestion, so they can be absorbed and used for energy.

Answer: diode

A diode is an electronic component that allows current to flow in only one direction. It is made from semiconductor materials, typically silicon or germanium, and has two terminals: the anode and the cathode. When voltage is applied in the correct direction, the diode conducts electricity; when the voltage is reversed, it blocks the current. Diodes are used in many electronic devices to control the flow of electricity, such as converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in power supplies.