Insect Filth and Bloody Messes with Evelyn From The Internets!

TL;DR

Contestants compete in a science quiz show to answer questions about workplace hazards, slime defense mechanisms, and other scientific topics.

Transcript

we'd like to thank the sponsor for today's show brilliant org brilliant has a variety of courses you can take to brush up on math and science something that would have probably helped our contestants prepare for today's competition welcome to scishow quiz show where the points don't matter but the science does I'm Michael Aranda your host let's see... Read More

Key Insights

• 🐛 Entomologists who study cockroaches can develop allergies to the insects and coffee due to the presence of bugs in the beans.
• 😷 Medical personnel should shave before surgeries to reduce the risk of spreading pathogens and make surgical masks more effective.
• 🔺 The slime secreted by red triangle slugs makes them too slick for predators to grab onto, paralyzing them.
• 🪲 Shining leaf beetle larvae store their own feces in slime backpacks, using them as a defense mechanism.
• 😉 Sea hares emit opaline, a mix of ink and slime, which blocks the predator's sense of smell.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do entomologists who study cockroaches often become allergic to coffee?

Entomologists who study cockroaches can develop allergies not only to the insects but also to coffee, due to the presence of bugs in the beans. This is because the pre-ground coffee masks the presence of any bugs that infested the beans, and the FDA allows a certain amount of insect filth in coffee beans.

Q: Why do medical personnel shave before surgeries?

Medical personnel shave before surgeries to reduce the risk of spreading pathogens. Beards can harbor bacteria, and a study found that bearded doctors shed significantly more bacteria from the bottom of their masks compared to those without beards.

Q: How does the slime secreted by the red triangle slug help it defend against predators?

The slime secreted by the red triangle slug makes it too slick for tree frogs to grab onto, effectively paralyzing them. The slime acts like a glue, sticking the wet frogs in place for days.

Q: What do the larvae of shining leaf beetles store in their slime backpacks?

The larvae of shining leaf beetles store their own feces in slime backpacks. These backpacks are made from their own poop or frass and mucus and contain potent toxins, which come from their diet of toxic plants.

Q: How does the slime of sea hares help them escape predators?

Sea hares emit a purplish substance called opaline, which is a mix of ink and slime. This opaline blocks the predator's sense of smell by plugging their nose, making them lose their appetite and stop attacking the sea hare.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Contestants compete in a science quiz show, answering questions about workplace hazards, slime defense mechanisms, and other scientific topics.

• Researchers have found that entomologists who study cockroaches can develop allergies not only to the insects but also to coffee, due to the presence of bugs in the beans.

• Medical personnel can reduce the risk of spreading pathogens by shaving, as beards can harbor bacteria and make surgical masks less effective.

• The slime secreted by the red triangle slug makes it too slick for tree frogs to grab onto, effectively paralyzing them.

• The larvae of shining leaf beetles store their own feces in slime backpacks, using them as a defense mechanism against predators.

• Sea hares emit a mix of ink and slime called opaline, which blocks the predator's sense of smell, preventing them from attacking.

• A type of fungi called bleeding tooth fungus secretes a red goo containing a heparin-like anticoagulant, which may protect against harmful microbes.