A Purr-fect Science Quiz

Answer: Optical microscope

The optical microscope is the original microscope, and the one we'd most likely imagine if we envisaged a microscope in our minds. It uses light screened through lenses to magnify small things like cells, viruses or bacteria. Its date of invention is unclear, but the form using a compound lens that remained in use will have come to us by the 17th century.

The electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to produce a very high-resolution image. A fluorescence microscope uses fluorescence and phosphorescence to study samples that optical microscopes are not well-equipped for. A scanning probe microscope uses a physical probe that explores the specimen. These are all 20th-century inventions.

Answer: Study of fossil plants

Paleobotanists use plant fossils to reconstruct the biological environment of ages past. They can tell us about extinct plants and their taxonomic groups, and perhaps piece together how they were evolved. This information can inform how we see present-day plants and geological landscapes.

Answer: H

Potential energy is held within an object based on its physical configuration. It can be symbolised as PE, V or U. Whilst PE relates directly to 'potential energy', U and V are considered interchangeable. There seems to be no definitive reason as to why U or V were variably used as symbols for potential energy, though 'V' might relate to the 'V' for voltage. Both U and V may be interpreted as specific types of potential energy depending on the specific field considered, be it thermodynamics, electrodynamics or classical mechanics.

H might relate to potential energy in that it symbolises height, an important variable used to calculate gravitational potential energy for example. But, it does not directly symbolise it.

Answer: Swimming and feeding

The veliger form exists between the trochophore and adult forms of many kinds of mollusc larva. Where the trochophore has bands of cilia that help to locomote the organism and to indirectly move food, the veliger's has two fin-like ciliated velum that perform these tasks. Eventually, the veliger will mature, growing its visceral organs and a locomotive foot characteristic to molluscs.

It will then absorb or shed its velum.

Answer: Chalcedony

Chalcedony's chemical symbol is SiO2 (silicon dioxide) and it is a wax-like translucent type of quartz. Carnelian is a particular variety of chalcedony which is brown or red. It is similar to sard, which is often described as being harder and darker. Other forms of chalcedony include agate, which is banded, and chrysoprase, a green variety coloured by nickel oxide.

Answer: Bacteria

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that is found in most man-made environments in the world, favouring moist areas like soils or water. Pseudomonas translates from the Greek for 'false' and Latin for 'unit', and aeruginosa derives from the Latin for 'verdigris' due to its blue-green colour in cultures.

In small concentrations the bacteria is of no real danger to humans, but it can be dangerous for the weak or immunocompromised. Symptoms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa depend on where it's causing problems since it can contribute to bloodstream infections, pneumonia, ear infections or urinary tract infections, amongst others.

Answer: Acne

A pustule is an eruption on the skin that is filled with a white or yellow fluid called pus. The pus is usually a mix of dead white blood cells used to fight infection in the pustules. They can be formed anywhere on the skin, but are common on the face, neck, chest and back. Acne is such a common cause of pustules as acne describes when pores are clogged by oils or dead skin.

These become pimples or pustules when the white blood cells are involved.

Answer: Apple

The Latin for 'malus' means apple, and as such is the derivation for malic acid. It was aptly named as it was first isolated from apple juice by the chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1785. All sorts of fruits, including bananas, cherries and tomatoes, are sources of malic acid. However, it has a particularly high concentration in apples.

Answer: Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is the only listed condition that specifically relates to the lungs, though it can affect other organs as well. It is caused by Myobacterium tuberculosis and was once known as consumption due to it wasting away the body. X-rays helped detect the illness as the bacteria creates calcifications, atypical nodules and cavities that the x-ray can visually display.

In 1952, over 50 years after x-rays were first used to detect tuberculosis, the oral antibiotic isoniazid was used to treat tuberculosis.

However, in the 1980s, drug-resistant strains of the bacteria appeared, resulting in resurgences of the illness.

Answer: Neon

The atomic number of boron is 5, phosphorus is 15 and calcium is 20. The element neon has two electrons in its inner shell and eight in its outer shell, which makes it very inert. Although it is most commonly associated with red-orange signs, it can be used as a cryogenic refrigerant, high-voltage indicator or in vacuum tubes. Neon light can also pass through fog, making it popular in airports or other cold places.