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Quiz about The Mysterious Yet Pointy Sea Urchin

The Mysterious (Yet Pointy) Sea Urchin Quiz

What do most people know about sea urchins? Well, they live in the sea, and they're pointy. That's about it. I'm here to change that, and hopefully you'll have a bunch of urchin facts to share with your friends! Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by burmlvr2478. Estimated time: 4 mins.

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Echinoderms (Starfish, Sea Urchins, Etc.)

Author
burmlvr2478

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
302,165

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
727

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Let's start with some basic urchin anatomy. The five plates (many refer to them as "teeth") that surround the mouth and point inwards are collectively called what? Hint

Socrates' Lantern

Aristotle's Lantern

Plato's Lantern

Homer's Lantern

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following isn't a function of the spines located on the outer skeleton of the urchin? Hint

Reproduction purposes

Protection from predators

Movement across the ocean floor

Gathering and trapping algae

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which one of the following doesn't enjoy munching on sea urchins? Hint

Other Urchins

Wolf Eels

Otters

Humans

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The exoskeleton of sea urchins is called a test.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Sea urchins most commonly inhabit which of the following oceanic areas? Hint

Continental Margins

Intertidal Areas

Kelp Forests

Seamounts

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Question 6 of 10

6. What form of joint are the spines on an urchin attached to? Hint

Hinge joint

Ball and socket joint

Pivot joint

Saddle joint

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Sea urchins are known to eat algae, but which of these do they also consume? Hint

Mollusks

They've been know to feed on them all

Barnacles

Bits of dead fish

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The surrounding areas in over-populated sea urchin environments are typically devoid of or severely lacking what? Hint

Kelp

Mollusks

Otters

All of These

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Sea urchins cover themselves with small rocks, algae, and bits of shell to do what? Hint

Attract mates

Provide more surface area for the algae to form

Form shelter for the young sea urchins

Hide from predators

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Sea urchins have what form of symmetry?

Answer: (One Word. Either radial or bilateral.)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Let's start with some basic urchin anatomy. The five plates (many refer to them as "teeth") that surround the mouth and point inwards are collectively called what?

Answer: Aristotle's Lantern

Aristotle wrote a book entitled, "The History of Animals". In the book, he describes the mouth a sea urchin looking much like a lantern. Thus, the name, "Aristotle's Lantern" was born.

2. Which of the following isn't a function of the spines located on the outer skeleton of the urchin?

Answer: Reproduction purposes

The spines actually have tiny feet that help it stick to the ocean floor so it does not drift with the currents.

3. Which one of the following doesn't enjoy munching on sea urchins?

Answer: Other Urchins

Urchins are not cannibalistic by nature. They primarily feed on the algae they collect with their spines. Sea urchins are a long-time favorite of otters and wolf eels. Humans commonly enjoy urchin roe (sea urchin eggs).

4. The exoskeleton of sea urchins is called a test.

Answer: True

The test of the urchin is the only part that remains after the urchin has died. It is commonly found on beaches and used in nautical decorations.

5. Sea urchins most commonly inhabit which of the following oceanic areas?

Answer: Kelp Forests

Sea urchins prefer living in the kelp forests, due to the large amount of macro algae that inhabit the area.

6. What form of joint are the spines on an urchin attached to?

Answer: Ball and socket joint

The spines are attached to ball and socket joints, thereby giving them the ability to move in almost any direction.

7. Sea urchins are known to eat algae, but which of these do they also consume?

Answer: They've been know to feed on them all

Their spines have the responsibility of collecting food from the ocean bottom and the surrounding water, due largely to the mouth of the sea urchin facing the ocean floor.

8. The surrounding areas in over-populated sea urchin environments are typically devoid of or severely lacking what?

Answer: All of These

It is a biological condition called "urchin barren sea". It commonly occurs when the otter population, which is highly responsible for keeping urchin populations down, is lacking. The problem is fairly easily restored by adding otters or other common predators of the urchin to the area.

9. Sea urchins cover themselves with small rocks, algae, and bits of shell to do what?

Answer: Hide from predators

Urchins will pick up bits of things they find on the seafloor and carry them to hide from predators.

10. Sea urchins have what form of symmetry?

Answer: Radial

Bilateral symmetry is where one half is a mirror image of the other. Radial symmetry on the other hand is when the object is divided into one or more sections which resemble each other. Think of it as a pie being divided into separate, yet equal portions.

Source: Author burmlvr2478

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