Obscure Branches of the Tree of Science Quiz

Answer: ichthyology

Ichthyology is the study of fish, their eating habits, breeding practices, and where they are located. It is a small branch of of oceanography which deals with the ocean and all its life and its role in the world.

Answer: aging

Gerontology is the study of aging. It covers the social, physical, economic and social aspects of old age. Geriatrics is the medical science of treating disease and disorders prevalent in old age.

Answer: map making

In the past the cartographer also known as a mapmaker and was held in very high esteem because of the importance of his job. It takes great skill to make a good map. A good cartographer uses the fields of geology, geography, and art technique. He must also have excellent hand-eye coordination.

Answer: mycology

Mycology is a branch of botany that studies fungi. That includes mushrooms, truffles, and slime molds, just to name a few. Mycologists study how fungi can be used to treat disease (penicillin), their role in food production (yoghurt and cheese) as well as their symbiotic relationship with other plants and animals.

Answer: limnology

Limnology is similar to oceanography except that it deals with inland bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, and inland seas. It studies the geographical, biological, ecological, and physical properties of these natural aquatic laboratories.

Answer: mollusk shells

A conchologist studies shells. The name comes from the same root word as the conch shell. It is a smaller branch on the limb of malacology which is the study of mollusks in general.

Answer: ornithology

An ornithologist studies birds. Most ornithologists specialize in certain parts of the field such as breeding practices, migration, eating habits, and/or habitats. Unfortunately, many types of birds from all parts of the planet became extinct in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many ornithologists today make preservation of species their primary concern.

Answer: clouds

Nephology is the study of clouds and their formation. It is not a term that is used often today. The specter of global warming has brought a renewed interest in the field.

Answer: true

Phrenology claimed that all personality traits of a person could be ascertained by feeling the bumps on the skull. Its popularity lasted for almost three centuries. It was still used in 19th century psychology and neurology. There are many other pseudosciences, graphology, alchemy, ufology and dowsing all fall into this field.

Answer: false

A eulogy is a speech that is usually given at a funeral praising the accomplishments of the deceased.