Things That Are Technically Alive
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Things That Are Technically Alive — Daily trivia Sunday, May 31, 2026: questions and answers
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Q 01Pando, a 47,000-stem single organism in Utah's Fishlake National Forest, is a clone of which tree?
- ACoast redwood
- BGiant sequoia
- CQuaking aspen
- DBristlecone pine
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Quaking aspen
Pando's 47,000 stems look like a forest but are genetically identical parts of one male tree whose root system covers about 106 acres, making it a contender for the heaviest living organism on Earth.
Q 02Which kingdom of life includes mushrooms, yeasts and molds?
- AFungi
- BAnimalia
- CPlantae
- DProtista
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Fungi
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that include a vast variety of species like yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. They are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by absorbing organic compounds from their environment.
Q 03What is the process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment called?
- AHomeostasis
- BAdaptation
- CPhotosynthesis
- DCatabolism
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Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions, such as body temperature or pH, within a narrow range, despite fluctuations in the external environment. This is a key characteristic of life.
Q 04What composite organism is a symbiosis between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium?
- AMycorrhiza
- BPlankton
- CLichen
- DBiofilm
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Lichen
A lichen is not a single organism but a stable symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, typically an alga or cyanobacterium. This partnership allows them to survive in extreme environments.
Q 05Sea sponges belong to which phylum of multicellular animals?
- ACnidaria
- BAnnelida
- CMollusca
- DPorifera
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Porifera
Sea sponges are primarily marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Porifera, meaning 'pore bearer'. They are considered the simplest multicellular animals and are sessile filter feeders.
Q 06What is the general term for dormant, protective structures produced by plants, fungi and bacteria?
- AGametes
- BZygotes
- CSpores
- DPollen
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Spores
Spores are reproductive cells or structures produced by plants, fungi, and some bacteria. They are often dormant and highly resistant to unfavorable conditions, allowing the organism to survive until conditions are suitable for germination and growth.
Q 07What in fungi's cell walls distinguishes them from plants and bacteria?
- AChitin
- BLignin
- CPeptidoglycan
- DCellulose
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Chitin
A characteristic that places fungi in a different kingdom from plants, bacteria, and some protists is the presence of chitin in their cell walls. Chitin is also found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans.
Q 08Which biological entities replicate and evolve but need a host cell to carry out metabolic functions?
- ABacteria
- BViruses
- CAlgae
- DFungi
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Viruses
Viruses possess genetic material (DNA or RNA) and can evolve and replicate, but they lack cellular structure and the metabolic machinery to reproduce independently, requiring a host cell. Whether they are truly 'alive' is still debated.
Q 09Which microscopic animals survive radiation, vacuum and dehydration by entering cryptobiosis?
- ARotifers
- BCiliates
- CAmoebas
- DTardigrades
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Tardigrades
Also known as water bears, these microscopic animals survive extreme conditions by entering a desiccated, death-like state called cryptobiosis, enduring radiation, extreme temperatures and even the vacuum of space.
Q 10To which domain of life does Nanoarchaeum equitans, among the smallest known organisms, belong?
- ABacteria
- BArchaea
- CProtista
- DEukarya
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Archaea
Nanoarchaeum equitans is recognized as one of the smallest living organisms and belongs to the domain Archaea. It was discovered in a hydrothermal vent and is an obligate symbiont.
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