Why? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Not every cell is identical in identical twins

Identical twins share the same DNA, but not every cell is identical. Physical appearance is not rigidly determined by genes. Fingerprints are formed semi-randomly as the fetus develops and are affected by such things as fluctuations of hormone levels. Likewise, freckles and moles on the skin are caused by random mutations and will vary between identical twins.

Answer: A sulfur compound irritates your eyes

The action of cutting an onion releases a fine spray of droplets. Research has shown that these droplets contain an enzyme and sulfur-containing compounds, which react to produce a powerful irritant. When a droplet strikes your eye, you respond by producing a copious flow of tears to try and wash the irritant away.
Cooking the onion inactivates the enzyme, so while the smell of cooked onions may be strong, your eyes don't burn. To reduce the amount of tears, the onion may be refrigerated before cutting, which slows the chemical reaction inside the onion, or by cutting the onion under water.

Answer: Bad smells indicate ideal breeding conditions

Things that smell bad to humans are often attractive to flies. When organic matter starts to rot, it becomes soft and moist, and provides ideal breeding conditions for flies. Female flies are attracted to rotting material, where they lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the soft material and feed for several days, before turning into pupae, which then become adult flies.

Answer: Kris Kristofferson

"Why Me" was recorded by Kris Kristofferson in 1972. It was included on the album "Jesus Was a Capricorn". "Why Me" was Kristofferson's only major country hit as a solo recording artist, reaching Number One in Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart in July 1973.

Elvis Presley incorporated the song, titled as "Why Me Lord", into his live shows beginning in January 1974 up until his last concert tour.

Answer: To find the inland sea

Charles Sturt believed that there was an inland sea in the heart of Australia and that it was his destiny to discover it. His first two expeditions proved that all the western-flowing rivers in New South Wales were part of the same river system, ultimately flowing into the Murray River and into the sea. On his third expedition into the searing heat in the heart of the Australian continent, his party of 15 men, 200 sheep and six drays towed a boat. Like many other explorers, he almost died in pursuit of his goal: there was no inland sea.

In Australia, a university, various place names, and flora commemorate Charles Sturt.

Answer: Jonathan "Yoni" Wolf

Jonathan "Yoni" Wolf is a musician who released music under the stage name Why? between 1997 and 2004. In 2004 he transferred that name onto his newly formed band. Thereafter he has been credited for his solo work as Yoni Wolf. Prior to the founding of the band Why? in 2004, Yoni Wolf had been a member of numerous other groups, releasing many albums.

Answer: Water is absorbed and causes skin cells to corrugate

Our hands and feet are frequently in contact with objects. This causes the waterproof coating on our skin to be rubbed off. When we immerse ourselves in water, that water is absorbed into the skin, causing our skin cells to swell. Because the waterproof coating has been rubbed off, our fingers and toes absorb water more quickly. Skin cells are anchored to the tissues below, and they are forced to corrugate to accommodate this.

Answer: To wash away irritants from the eye

Basal tears lubricate the eyeball and make it optically smoother. These are produced continuously at a rate of almost 300ml a day. Reflex tears are produced in response to physical or chemical stimulus and wash away irritants. The third kind is produced in response to high levels of emotion, both happy and sad. Tears brought about by emotions have a different chemical make-up than those for lubrication. Humans are the only animals that cry in this way.

Answer: Originally a hat was passed around and the bowler received the proceeds

The term first appeared in 1858 in cricket to describe H.H. Stephenson's taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. Fans held a collection for Stephenson, and presented him with a hat bought with the proceeds. Around the same time stage conjurers' "hat tricks" became popular, with magicians pulling items, including rabbits, from hats.

It would appear that when cricketers wanted to give a name to an impressive achievement that involved a hat, they used the currently popular expression "hat trick".

Answer: Julius Sumner Miller

From 1963 to 1986, Professor Julius Sumner Miller was the visiting lecturer for the Physics Department of the University of Sydney. During this time, he hosted his own science-based TV series. Filmed at the University of Sydney, the program was "Why Is It So?" - a phrase which became synonymous with him. Known for his enthusiasm for science and his wild hair, he liked to trick the audience; suggesting that a container was empty, then telling his audience that it in fact was full of air.