MACC Science Questions
March 9, 2017
Please Read Aloud: All of the questions in this match are 5-second questions, unless otherwise
noted. Science questions that are problems will be read twice, with no repeats in the directed
rounds.
This is the first directed question for team A.
1A.
What is the specific name for a special protein molecule that DNA wraps around during
chromosome formation? Begin (Histone)
This is the first directed question for team B. You have 20 seconds to answer this question.
1B.
A 30-quart solution consists of sulfuric acid and water. 20% of the solution is sulfuric acid.
How many quarts of sulfuric acid are in the solution? (Read question again) Begin (6)
This is the second directed question for team A.
2A.
They are very dense, carrying huge amounts of sediment down continental slopes and some
scientists think they are powerful enough to cause submarine canyons. What specific name
is given to these movements? Begin (Turbidity currents)
This is the second directed question for team B.
2B.
What is the name of the chemical which has the formula H2 CO3? Begin (Carbonic acid)
This is the third directed question for team A.
3A.
The heat lamps which keep food warm at a food bar use which method of heat transfer to
keep the food warm? Begin (Radiation)
This is the third directed question for team B.
3B.
What is the name of the theory which states the condition necessary for gene frequencies to
remain stable across generations? Begin (Hardy-Weinberg Principle, or Hardy-Weinberg
Equilibrium)
This is the fourth directed question for team A.
4A.
What is an alpha particle? Begin (Helium nucleus, or a positively charged helium nucleus)
This is the fourth directed question for team B.
4B.
What is the term which refers to the region along a tectonic plate boundary where one
plate is forced under another plate? Begin (Subduction zone)
This is the fifth directed question for team A.
5A.
What is the muscular tissue of the human heart called? Begin (Myocardium)
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This is the fifth directed question for team B.
5B.
What is the specific name for one of the two identical parts of a chromosome? Begin
(Chromatid, or sister chromatid)
This is the sixth directed question for team A.
6A.
What is the name of the chemical which has the formula HNO2? Begin (Nitrous acid)
This is the sixth directed question for team B.
6B.
The shimmering effect as is seen above a heated surface is an example of which method of
heat transfer? Begin (Convection)
This is the seventh directed question for team A.
7A.
What is the term given to the phenomenon by which allele frequencies in a population
change as a result of random events or chance? Begin (Genetic drift)
This is the seventh directed question for team B.
7B.
Which atmospheric layer extends upward from the tropopause to an altitude of 50
kilometers? Begin (Stratosphere)
This is the eighth directed question for team A. You have 20 seconds to answer this question.
8A.
How many ounces of an alloy containing 30% platinum must be mixed with an alloy
containing 5% platinum to produce 25 ounces of the alloy containing 20% platinum?
(Read question again) Begin (15)
This is the eighth directed question for team B.
8B.
What geologic structure is described by the following: It is among the flattest regions on
Earth. In some places the elevation changes less than 3 meters over more than 1,300
kilometers; covers about half of the deep ocean floor, and begins at the edge of a
continental margin? Begin (Abyssal plain, or abyss, or ocean abyss)
This is the ninth directed question for team A.
9A.
What term is given to that layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere which consists of
slowly-flowing solid rock that acts like plastic? Begin (Asthenosphere)
This is the ninth directed question for team B.
9B.
What type of valve is between the right atrium and the right ventricle in the human heart?
Begin (Tricuspid)
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This is the tenth and final directed question for team A.
10A.
Within the lower layers of the thermosphere, from 80 to 550 kilometers, lies a region which
can reflect radio waves back to Earth. What is the name of this layer? Begin (Ionosphere)
This is the tenth and final directed question for team B.
10B.
What is a beta particle? Begin (An electron, or a positron)
That ends the portion of the match with directed questions. Coaches, if you have any team
member substitutions, please send those team members to the stage at this time. (Note:
Allow time for substitutes to be seated, introduce substitute team members.)
No form of conferring is allowed during the tossup portion of the match. Conferring includes
sharing of written or verbal information or signals. Please remove all written material
from your team tables. Writing is not permitted during tossup rounds, except in the math
round.
We will now have ten tossup questions. Remember, the person who buzzes in must give the
answer immediately. Please wait until I recognize the team before you give an answer. The
penalty for buzzing in early and giving a wrong answer is minus 2 points, and the question
will then be reread in its entirety to the other team.
This is the first tossup question.
1.
Mixed melting point is considered to be the best criteria for what of a substance? Begin
(Purity)
This is the second tossup question.
2.
The height of a wave is measured from trough to what topmost point? Begin (Crest)
This is the third tossup question.
3.
What's the wavelike muscular contractions of the alimentary canal that move food through
the digestive system? Begin (Peristalsis)
This is the fourth tossup question.
4.
Of the four giant planets, which on is the farthest from the sun? Begin (Neptune)
This is the fifth tossup question.
5.
The deepest diver among these birds is the emperor species which may dive to 900 feet in
the Antarctic waters. What type of bird is it? Begin (Penguin)
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This is the sixth tossup question.
6.
The energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom in its
isolated gaseous state is called what? Begin (Ionization potential, or ionization energy)
This is the seventh tossup question.
7.
“Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed”. This principle was advanced by what
scientist? Begin (John Dalton)
This is the eighth tossup question.
8.
What snout beetle reached Texas from Mexico around 1890 and spread into most cottongrowing areas of the U.S.? Begin (The boll weevil)
This is the ninth tossup question.
9.
What metal is used as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of oils? Begin (Nickel)
This is the tenth and final tossup question.
(Emcee note – if match is tied after this question go to the three tie breakers at the end of these
questions – use all three, even if tie is broken on first or second question!)
10.
In addition to helping commerce, what ocean winds bring pleasant weather to islands like
Hawaii? Begin (Trade winds)
EMERGENCY QUESTIONS (To be used in an emergency only –DO NOT USE AS EXTRA TIE
BREAKERS – but they can be used in place of tie breakers as they would be used if a
question has a mistake, if the emcee “flubs” a question, etc.):
You have 5 seconds to answer this question.
1.
What's the proper term for a human embryo after the first trimester? Begin (A fetus)
You have 5 seconds to answer this question.
2.
A goiter is caused by a deficiency of what element in the thyroid gland? Begin (Iodine)
TIE BREAKERS (To be used in cases of tie games – use all three questions, even if the tie is
broken with the first or second question; in case teams are still tied at the end of these
three questions – the game remains a tie.):
This is the first tiebreaker question.
1.
Newton's Third Law of Motion is usually quoted as "For every action there is" what 3word type of "reaction"? Begin (Equal and opposite)
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This is the second tiebreaker question.
2.
A frog's heart has how many chambers, one fewer than a human's? Begin (Three)
This is the third tiebreaker question.
3.
What element, atomic no. 17, is used as a bleach? Begin (Chlorine)