The weekend’s almost here so it’s Friday quiz time again. Among today’s offerings are spelling with elements and a look at some ideas that didn’t quite stand the test of time. But first, a few questions about some of the great research hubs around the world:

Round 1 – Scientific Institutions

1. The Sanger Institute, funded by the Wellcome Trust and based in Cambridgeshire in the UK, carries out research in what specific field of science?
2. Originally formed in 1911 as the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, and recognised as one of the world-leading research bodies, this association of German research institutes is today named after which man?
3. The particle accelerator laboratory Fermilab is found close to which major US city?

Round 2 – Good ideas at the time

This is a round about some of the ideas that time and progress have proven to be, well, completely wrong. Which isn’t to say that they were bad ideas – simply that they were superseded by better (or, at least, more correct) ones.

1. A vitally important concept in ancient medicine, what were considered to be the four humours of the body?
2. What was the name of the theory developed in the 1920s in opposition to the big bang theory and which claimed that the appearance of the universe is unchanging over time?
3. Now discredited and considered a pseudoscience, what is the name of the once popular theory that you could determine the personality traits of an individual by examining the bumps in their skull?

Round 3 – The Picture Round

In today’s picture round you will see depictions of various bits of equipment that you might commonly find in a lab – you simply have to identify each implement or device.

1.

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2.

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3.

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 Round 4 – A to Z

We’re almost reaching the end of our scientific A to Z – this week, it’s S – U.

1. Which S is the name given in geology to the process by which one tectonic plate is pushed down beneath another tectonic plate as they move towards each other?
2. What T is the name of the series of nucleotides at the end of each chromosome which serve to protect the chromosome from damage, and whose deterioration is linked to the ageing process?
3. Although no longer considered a taxonomic order, which U is the general term used to describe all hoofed animals?

Round 5 – Element spelling

It’s the return of the spelling with elements round. All the answers to these questions can be spelled out using the chemical symbols of various elements – you simply need to identify the elements whose symbols are required. In each case, your setter has tried to give the minimum number of symbols required to spell the word – but if you manage to find a way of doing it in fewer then you get extra bonus points (and do please let us know!).

1. What six elements’ symbols are required to spell the name of the subphylum consisting of all chordate animals with backbones and spinal columns?
2. What four elements’ symbols are required to spell the name given to an atom with a positive charge?
3. What five elements’ symbols are required to spell the name of a wetland sedge plant once common in Egypt and best known for its use in ancient times as a writing material, owing to its paper-like quality?

Answers, as ever, on Monday. Have a great weekend!