General Science: 600+ Most Important Science Facts - Part 3

Question 201. Which class of arthropods typically have eight legs, and includes spiders and ticks?
Arachnida (is the class of arthropods that typically have eight legs, and includes spiders and ticks); if your answer is “arachnid,” that’s close enough

Question 202. Diamond, silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, and SiC are examples of what?
Semiconductors (include diamond, silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, etc.)

Question 203. Which phase of the moon is less than half full, yet not new?
Crescent (is a phase of the moon less than half full, yet not new)

Question 204. Which phase of the moon is greater than half full, yet not full?
Gibbous (is a phase of the moon greater than half full, yet not full)

Question 205. Which soft tissue is found in the cavities of most bones?
Bone marrow (is soft tissue found in the cavities of most bones)

Question 206. Which group of metals includes lithium, sodium, and potassium?
Alkali metals (include Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr)

Question 207. Which metals have their d subshells partially filled?
Transition metals or transition elements (have their d subshells partially filled)

Question 208. Which bone disorder involves brittleness and a reduction in bone density?
Osteoporosis (involves brittleness and a reduction in bone density)

Question 209. Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and possums are examples of what?
Marsupials (include kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and possums)

Question 210. What is the maximum displacement of an oscillation (or wave) from equilibrium?
Amplitude (is the maximum displacement from equilibrium)

Question 211. What is the term for the lower jaw of a vertebrate?
Mandible (is the lower jaw of a vertebrate)

Question 212. What lies between the inner planets and outer planets of earth’s solar system?
Asteroid Belt (lies between Mars and Jupiter)

Question 213. What is the name for a chromosome that isn’t a sex chromosome?
Autosome or autosomal chromosome (isn’t a sex chromosome)

Question 214. What is the name for an object that orbits a moon, planet, or star?
Satellite (is an object that orbits a moon, planet, or star)

Question 215. What is the minimum possible temperature in Kelvin called?
Absolute zero (is the minimum possible temperature in Kelvin)

Question 216. Which force attracts the molecules of two different surfaces?
Adhesion (attracts the molecules of two different surfaces)

Question 217. Which force attracts the molecules of the same substance together?
Cohesion (attracts the molecules of the same substance together)

Question 218. About which point does a lever rotate?
Fulcrum (is the point about which a lever rotates); hinge will suffice

Question 219. Which bone is referred to as the kneecap?
Patella (is referred to as the kneecap)

Question 220. What is it called when neither the participants nor the research staff are aware of which participants were given a placebo?
Double blind procedure (occurs when neither the participants nor the research staff is aware of which participants were given a placebo)

Question 221. Snails, slugs, oysters, and octopi are examples of what?
Mollusks (include snails, slugs, oysters, and octopi)

Question 222. Which part of an insect lies between the abdomen and head?
Thorax (lies between the abdomen and head of an insect)

Question 223. What is the name of the belt in the sky near the apparent path of the sun as observed from earth, which is marked by a dozen constellations?
Zodiac (is the belt in the sky near the apparent path of the sun as observed from earth, which is marked by a dozen constellations)

Question 224. What is defined as a (continuous) range of frequencies in engineering?
Bandwidth (is a range of frequencies, a term used in engineering)

Question 225. Which infectious disease attacks the lungs and was previously called consumption?
Tuberculosis (is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs, which was previously called consumption)

Question 226. What is the heat per unit mass absorbed or released when a substance changes phase?
Latent heat (is the heat per unit mass absorbed or released when a substance changes phase); types are heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, heat of sublimation

Question 227. Which retinal receptors are sensitive to dim light and detect black, white, and gray?
Rods (are retinal receptors sensitive to dim light)

Question 228. Which retinal receptors are sensitive to bright light and help to perceive color?
Cones (are retinal receptors are sensitive to bright light)

Question 229. Which cell fragments shaped like disks are involved in blood clotting?
Platelets (are involved in blood clotting)

Question 230. Which surgical procedure transplants skin without bringing its blood supply?
Grafting (transplants skin without bringing its blood supply); in contrast, flap surgery brings the blood supply

Question 231. What is it called when an organism forms an attachment very early in life?
Imprinting (occurs when an organism forms an attachment very early in life)

Question 232. Which curve on a map represents points which have the same temperature?
Isotherm (is a curve on a map where points have the same temperature)

Question 233. Which curve on a map represents points which have the same pressure?
Isobar (is a curve on a map where points have the same pressure)

Question 234. In which process does a larva change in shape and form to become an adult?
Metamorphosis (occurs when a larva changes form to become an adult)

Question 235. What is a genetic characteristic that improves an organism’s prospects for survival?
Adaptation (is a genetic characteristic that improves an organism’s prospects for survival)

Question 236. Which instrument does a physician use to listen to a patient’s heart?
Stethoscope (is used by a physician to listen to a patient’s heart)

Question 237. If parallel rays of light pass through a convex lens, where will they converge?
Focus (is the point where such rays converge)

Question 238. What is it called when maternal and paternal chromosomes are paired together?
Homologous (is when maternal and paternal chromosomes are paired together)

Question 239. What is the term for strong magnetic effects created by substances such as iron?
Ferromagnetism (refers to strong magnetic effects created by substances such as iron)

Question 240. What is defined as the rate at which work is done?
Power (is the rate at which work is done)

Question 241. What are the terms for the days of the year with the most and the least daylight?
Summer and winter solstice (are the days of the year with the most and least daylight)

Question 242. Which organic compound has –COOH at one end and –NH2 at the other end?
Amino acid (is an organic compound with –COOH, which is a carboxyl group, at one end and –NH2, which is an amino group, at the other end)

Question 243. In physics, what is a system with equal and opposite charges close together?
Dipole (is a system with equal and opposite charges close together)

Question 244. What is the name of the upper arm bone?
Humerus (is the upper arm bone)

Question 245. What is the name of the thigh bone?
Femur (is the thigh bone)

Question 246. Which device is used specifically to measure current?
Ammeter (measures current); note that a multimeter can measure more than just current

Question 247. What is a substance that becomes insoluble and separates from a solution?
Precipitate (is a substance that is at first slightly soluble, then becomes insoluble and separates from a solution)

Question 248. Which concise statement announces the essential content of a published article?
Abstract (is a concise statement which announces the essential content of a published article)

Question 249. Which term provides a measure of wire diameter where a smaller value is thicker?
Gauge (provides a measure of wire diameter where a smaller value is thicker); for example, 16 gauge wire is thicker than 20 gauge wire

Question 250. In which metabolic process does bacteria, yeast, or an enzyme chemically break down a substance?
Fermentation (is a metabolic process in which bacteria, yeast, or an enzyme chemically breaks down a substance)

Question 251. Lobster, crab, shrimp, and barnacles are examples of which type of arthropod?
Crustaceans (include lobster, crab, shrimp, and barnacles)

Question 252. What is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a medium?
Index of refraction (is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a medium)

Question 253. What is defined as the ratio of the speed of an aircraft to the speed of sound in air?
Mach number (is the ratio of the speed of an aircraft to the speed of sound in air)

Question 254. In which type of solution can no more solute be dissolved at the given temperature?
Saturated solutions (are solutions where no more solute can be dissolved at the given temperature)

Question 255. In which type of image do light rays appear to diverge from the image without actually passing through the image?
Virtual image (is an image where light rays appear to diverge from the image without actually passing through the image)

Question 256. In which common chemistry technique is a standard solution used to determine the concentration of another solution (of unknown concentration)?
Titration (uses a standard solution to determine the concentration of another solution of unknown concentration)

Question 257. Which flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity aids in breathing?
Diaphragm (is a flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity which aids in breathing); the midriff also refers to this part of the body

Question 258. Which tissue in many land plants transports water from roots to leaves?
Xylem (is vascular tissue in many land plants which transports water from roots to leaves)

Question 259. Which tissue in many land plants transports sugar made during photosynthesis?
Phloem (is vascular tissue in many land plants which transports sugar made during photosynthesis)

Question 260. Which type of plants have the transport mechanisms described in Questions 258-259?
Vascular plants (have xylem and phloem)

Question 261. What is the fertilizing organ of a flower called, which produces pollen?
Stamen (is the fertilizing organ of a flower, which produces pollen); note that the anther is the part of the stamen which contains the pollen

Question 262. What are the eight front teeth of a human mouth called, which are used to cut food?
Incisors (are the eight front teeth of a human mouth, which are used to cut food)

Question 263. Which premolar adult human tooth has two points?
Bicuspid (is a premolar adult human tooth with two points or cusps)

Question 264. What is the name of the giant region of circulation on Jupiter?
Great Red Spot (is the giant region of circulation on Jupiter)

Question 265. Which machine balances pressure in a fluid in cylinders of different diameter?
Hydraulic press (balances pressure in a fluid in cylinders of different diameter); it is analogous to a lever, but balances pressure rather than torque

Question 266. Which band of tough connective tissue holds bones in place in a joint?
Ligament (is a band of tough connective tissue that holds bones in place in a joint)

Question 267. What is the term for the alternating bright and dark spots on an interference pattern?
Fringes (are alternating bright and dark spots on an interference pattern); they are also referred to as positions of constructive or destructive interference

Question 268. Which microscopic organisms drift in the ocean, serving as food for much sea life?
Plankton (are microscopic organisms that drift in the ocean, serving as food for much sea life)

Question 269. Which branch of medicine studies disease and the diagnosis of disease?
Pathology (studies disease and the diagnosis of disease)

Question 270. Which organs filter blood, excreting urine through the bladder?
Kidneys (are organs that filter blood, excreting urine through the bladder)

Question 271. Which distance-measuring instrument consists of a wheel, handle, and clicking device?
Trundle wheel (has a handle and clicking device, and measures distance)

Question 272. What is it called when different species live close together to their mutual benefit?
Symbiosis or symbiotic relationship (is when different species live close together to their mutual benefit)

Question 273. In which type of reaction does one reactant gain electrons while another loses electrons?
Oxidation-reduction reaction, or redox for short (is a reaction in which one reactant gain electrons, becoming reduced, while another loses electrons, becoming oxidized; note that a gain of electrons means “reduced” in the sense that it makes the charge more negative, which means that the charge is less positive)

Question 274. Which type of earth satellite has a period equal to 24 hours?
Geosynchronous (refers to an earth satellite with a period equal to 24 hours)

Question 275. What is the specific role of an organism or species in its environment called?
Niche (is the specific role of an organism or species in its environment)

Question 276. What is the term for nearsightedness?
Myopia (means nearsightedness)

Question 277. Which isotope of hydrogen contains one neutron?
Deuterium (is an isotope of hydrogen containing one neutron); note that the most abundant form of hydrogen has zero neutrons (all forms have one proton)

Question 278. Which star no longer on the main sequence is very bright, very large, yet very cool?
Red giant (is a star no longer on the main sequence that is very bright, very large, yet very cool); a red giant is very bright because it has high luminosity, yet it is very cool because red stars have lower surface temperatures

Question 279. Which dense star has collapsed to the size of a planet, having exhausted its fuel?
White dwarf (is a dense star that has collapsed to the size of a planet, having exhausted its fuel); it is initially very hot and bright, however it gradually cools down until it eventually becomes a black dwarf

Question 280. Which two types of seismic waves result from an earthquake?
P (primary) and S (secondary) waves (are types of seismic waves)

Question 281. Which organelle in a cell is a sac that stores water, protein, sugar, etc.?
Vacuole (is an organelle in a cell which is a sac that stores water, protein, sugar, etc.); note that eukaryotic cells have vesicles, which are much smaller sacs

Question 282. During pregnancy, which organ on the wall of the uterus connects to the umbilical cord?
Placenta (is an organ on the wall of the uterus which connects to the umbilical cord during pregnancy)

Question 283. Which reaction forms one compound from elements (or simpler compounds)?
Synthesis (forms a compound from elements or simpler compounds); it has the structure

Question 284. Which (typically irreversible) reaction breaks a compound up into simpler products?
Decomposition (breaks a compound up into simpler products, and is typically irreversible); it has the structure

Question 285. Which (typically reversible) reaction breaks an ionic compound up into separate ions?
Dissociation (breaks an ionic compound up into separate ions, and is typically reversible); (but note that dissociation has a more general meaning than is illustrated by this question)

Question 286. Which electronic device displays a wave on a cathode-ray tube?
Oscilloscope (displays a wave on a cathode-ray tube)

Question 287. What is the solid, rocky part of earth’s crust called, which includes the upper mantle?
Lithosphere (is the solid, rocky part of earth’s crust, which includes the upper mantle); it consists of both the crust and the upper mantle (in common contexts)

Question 288. Which term describes how a bat uses reflected sound waves to map out its surroundings?
Echolocation (describes how a bat, as well as some other animals, uses reflected sound waves to map out its surroundings)

Question 289. Which modern physics term means the smallest possible value of a quantity like energy?
Quantum (means the smallest possible value of a quantity that is quantized, such as energy or angular momentum)

Question 290. Which neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure and motivation?
Dopamine (is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation)

Question 291. Which term describes how the plane of an orbit is tilted relative to the ecliptic plane?
Inclination (is the angle between the plane of an orbit and the ecliptic plane)

Question 292. What is the term for heavy bleeding?
Hemorrhage (is heavy bleeding)

Question 293. In which pendulum is a projectile fired into the pendulum bob to propel it upward?
Ballistic pendulum (involves firing a projectile into the pendulum bob, which may be a block of wood, to propel it upward)

Question 294. In computer science, what is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem called?
Algorithm (is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem); note that an algorithm consists of a set of ideas expressed as written instructions, whereas a program implements these instructions in a specific language (like Python or BASIC) and is executed to solve the problem (in contrast, an algorithm might be written in plain English)

Question 295. Torque equals force times what?
Lever arm (multiplies force to make torque)

Question 296. In which condition does irregular curvature of the cornea or lens cause blurry vision?
Astigmatism (is a condition where irregular curvature of the cornea or lens causes blurry vision)

Question 297. What is a wheeled stretcher called that is used to transport patients?
Gurney (is a wheeled stretcher that is used to transport patients)

Question 298. Which type of light consists of a single, well-defined wavelength?
Monochromatic (light consists of a single, well-defined wavelength); note that a single wavelength corresponds to a single color (except that wavelength is more general than color, since most of the electromagnetic spectrum is invisible to the eye)

Question 299. Which luminous discharge is caused by the ionization of a fluid in a strong electric field?
Corona discharge (is caused by the ionization of a fluid in a strong electric field, often near the sharp point of a conductor at a high electric potential; in many instances of corona discharge, the fluid is the air)

Question 300. What is a particle, like a proton or hyperon, which consists of three quarks?
Baryon (consists of three quarks or three antiquarks; examples include the proton, neutron, and hyperon); note that a nucleon is a particle contained in the nucleus, such as a proton or neutron, but does not correctly answer the question since a hyperon is not a nucleon