The Weekly Science Quiz – 15th February

If you’ve had a hard week, then don’t worry because this week’s quiz isn’t exactly rocket science – oh wait, there’s a round all about it. Still, at least it’s not brain surgery – oh, hold on, there’s a round about that too. Still, if you get through them then there’s also a round about giraffes – because why not?

Round 1 – Rocket science

1. What was the name of the first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the USSR in 1957, thus triggering the Space Race?
2. Who is the German-American aerospace engineer often called the “Father of Rocket Science” who helped develop rocket  technology in Nazi Germany before moving to the US where he helped develop the Saturn V rocket that sent men to the moon?
3. What was the name of the final Apollo mission that landed men on the moon?

 Round 2 – Brain surgery

This round isn’t really about brain surgery, as such – but it’s certainly about facts that every good brain surgeon should know.

1. The brains of all animal species are primarily composed of two main classes of cells – glial cells, and what other type?
2. What is the name of the region of mammalian brains which has important roles in both long and short term memory, and which is named for its supposed resemblance to a seahorse?
3. What is the name of the small region at base of the forebrain in vertebrates, responsible for several crucial biological functions, including regulation of sleep cycles, eating and drinking and hormone release?

Round 3 – The Picture Round

Charades as usual – can you work out what each one depicts, and therefore also work out the theme that links them all?

1.

{credit}PD / LSDSL / Mikewarbz{/credit}

2.

{credit}PD / Arpingstone / Steve Jurvetson{/credit}

3.

{credit}ShipFan /PD /Rob Lavinsky{/credit}

Round 4 – Giraffes

1. What was the original name for the giraffe, based on its supposed resemblance to two other animals (and which still persists to this day in its Latin name)?
2. Which 19^th century biologist believed the giraffe’s neck to be an “acquired characteristic”, developed over many years of stretching to reach leaves on taller trees?
3. Sometimes referred to as a living fossil, what is the only other living member of the Giraffidae  family, whose existence was unknown to Western science until the 20^th century?

Round 5 – Anagrams

This week’s anagrams are all cell structures. Get unscrambling…

1. MOOSE RIB
2. TOY CLAMPS
3. IDIOT MONARCH
4. GAGA’S POP RITUAL
5. MINE RATS OCCUPIED MULL

Have fun, have a great weekend, and look out for the answers on Monday.