Science Surprises II Quiz

See what you know about some of the surprising discoveries scientists have been making.

Quiz

1. Scientists discovered something under the city of Los Angeles that could get a lot of residents pretty nervous. What was it?

Thousands of disease-carrying sewer rats.
No. Scientists found a hidden fault that could cause some really big earth quakes in the future. Unlike the famous (and visible) San Andreas fault, this hidden one is called a "blind-thrust" fault and cannot be easily seen or mapped.
A hidden fault.
That's right. Scientists found a hidden fault that could cause some really big earth quakes in the future. Unlike the famous (and visible) San Andreas fault, this hidden one is called a "blind-thrust" fault and cannot be easily seen or mapped.
A giant underground cave.
No. Scientists found a hidden fault that could cause some really big earth quakes in the future. Unlike the famous (and visible) San Andreas fault, this hidden one is called a "blind-thrust" fault and cannot be easily seen or mapped.

2. Archeologists recently found an Inca child mummy on a frozen mountain in Argentina. What did they discover about how this child died?

That the child froze to death.
Nope. The child was the victim of a ritual killing sometime between 1440 and 1535. Utensils, coca leaves, and food had been left beside the body for what the Incas believed would be a journey to ask the gods for good weather.
(Three questions to go.)
That a rare virus killed the child.
Nope. The child was the victim of a ritual killing sometime between 1440 and 1535. Utensils, coca leaves, and food had been left beside the body for what the Incas believed would be a journey to ask the gods for good weather.
(Three questions to go.)
That the child was a victim of human sacrifice.
Yes, gruesome but true. The child was the victim of a ritual killing sometime between 1440 and 1535. Utensils, coca leaves, and food had been left beside the body for what the Incas believed would be a journey to ask the gods for good weather.
(Three questions to go.)

3. Thanks to clues gathered during the 1997 Pathfinder mission, scientists believe that Mars' climate was very different a couple of billion years ago--and may have even supported life. How was Mars' climate different?

It was wetter and warmer.
You got it. Scientists think that Mars was probably much wetter and warmer a couple of billion years ago, not entirely unlike our own planet. Some of the clues scientists looked at were smoothed stones, sand, and signs of rapid erosion--all of which could be created by water.
(Two questions left.)
It was wetter and cooler.
No. Scientists think that Mars was probably much wetter and warmer a couple of billion years ago, not entirely unlike our own planet. Some of the clues scientists looked at were smoothed stones, sand, and signs of rapid erosion--all of which could be created by water.
(Two questions left.)
It was drier and warmer.
No. Scientists think that Mars was probably much wetter and warmer a couple of billion years ago, not entirely unlike our own planet. Some of the clues scientists looked at were smoothed stones, sand, and signs of rapid erosion--all of which could be created by water.
(Two questions left.)

4. It looks like being born in a city and in the winter might be one of the factors leading to schizophrenia. Researchers think the most likely reason is:

Because of the short amount of daylight in winter.
No. Scientists believe that many cases of schizophrenia are linked to viruses. People born in cities during winter are exposed to more infectious agents than other people, making them more likely to become schizophrenic later in life.
(One more to go.)
Because flu and other viruses are more common in cities and during winter.
Yes. Scientists believe that many cases of schizophrenia are linked to viruses. People born in cities during winter are exposed to more infectious agents than other people, making them more likely to become schizophrenic later in life.
(One more to go.)
Because of the signs of the zodiac.
No. Scientists believe that many cases of schizophrenia are linked to viruses. People born in cities during winter are exposed to more infectious agents than other people, making them more likely to become schizophrenic later in life.
(One more to go.)

5. Scientists have been wondering how people can distinguish millions of smells when they only have about 1,000 types of odor receptors. So, how does the nose know?

Aromas stimulate a unique pattern among receptors.
You got it. Each aromatic chemical stimulates a unique pattern among your 1,000 odor receptors. This pattern is called a "receptor code."
Odor receptors are aided by people's expectations.
Nope. Each aromatic chemical stimulates a unique pattern among your 1,000 odor receptors. This pattern is called a "receptor code."
Each odor receptor works for ten different smells.
Nope. Each aromatic chemical stimulates a unique pattern among your 1,000 odor receptors. This pattern is called a "receptor code."

1. Scientists discovered something under the city of Los Angeles that could get a lot of residents pretty nervous. What was it?
A hidden fault.

2. Archeologists recently found an Inca child mummy on a frozen mountain in Argentina. What did they discover about how this child died?
That the child was a victim of human sacrifice.

4. It looks like being born in a city and in the winter might be one of the factors leading to schizophrenia. Researchers think the most likely reason is:
Because flu and other viruses are more common in cities and during winter.

5. Scientists have been wondering how people can distinguish millions of smells when they only have about 1,000 types of odor receptors. So, how does the nose know?
Aromas stimulate a unique pattern among receptors.

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