This document provides 15 multiple choice questions about topics in biology, ecology, and biomimicry. The questions cover subjects like the unique features of animals like the aye-aye lemur's elongated middle finger and megapode birds' method of incubation. Other questions ask about biomimicry examples like termite mounds inspiring building design and velcro being modeled after burdock seeds. The document tests knowledge of specific species, their traits, ecological roles, and examples of biomimicry.

1. Oikumene 2019 – A Sneak Peek

2. Question 1
• Aragonite and calcite are compositionally similar and are
present as solids in calcified bivalves, but it is the former which
is secreted in layers on the inside which forms the prized and
durable material _____. FITB.

3. 1
• Nacre

4. Question 2
The ______ ____ spider is
the only known species of
spider to reside almost
entirely underwater. it gets
its name from the bubble
(which resembles a piece
of human equipment) it
constructs around itself
which enables it to breathe
underwater. ID the spider.

5. 2
• Diving bell

6. Question 3
The aye-aye lemur of Madagascar, the largest nocturnal primate,
feeds on grubs found in tree barks. It first taps on the tree to
locate the grub, gnaws a hole with its teeth, then pulls the grubs
out with this unique specialised feature it has acquired through
years of evolution on the isolated island. Identify this specialised
feature.

7. 3
• An elongated middle finger

8. Question 4
• These Alpine Ibex are often
found scaling steep dam walls
to reach deposits of this
essential substance which is
scarce in their usual
vegetarian diets and which is
lost along with their shed fur.
Id this substance.

9. 4
• salt

10. Question 5
This animal which can be found in Chennai gets its name from its
colouration. It finds itself at risk every nesting season due to the
fact that its young are drawn towards dangerous roads and away
from their natural habitat because of city lights. Which?

11. 5
• Olive Ridley turtle

12. Question 6
• The first statue dedicated to an X was made in a county in
Alabama to show how something disastrous can be a catalyst
for change. It was due to Y (which is an X) that farmers learnt to
diversify their crops , instead of growing only cotton, which
brought in new money to the county. ID X and Y.

13. 6
• X-insect
• Y-boll weevil

14. Question 7
• Megapodes or _________ birds
uniquely broods its eggs by
burying them in warm
environments, such as volcanic
soils or rotting vegetation,
instead of sitting on them. The
uniqueness of this habit might
hint at its other name. FITB.

15. 7
• incubator

16. Question 8
• The Eastgate centre in Zimbabwe
is a shopping centre and office
block which is designed to be
ventilated and cooled almost
entirely by natural means. It was
inspired by a structure from the
animal kingdom which uses the
same ventilation system to keep
its inhabitants cool. What
structure is this?

17. 8
• Termite mounds

18. Question 9
• The inspiration for this invention came to swiss engineer George de
mistral through the seed dispersal technique of the burdock plant.
What invention?

19. 9
• velcro

20. Question 10
the Eastgate centre, along with Mestral’s invention and cat’s eyes
reflectors are all examples of something. What? Answer with a specific
term.

21. 10
• Biomimicry/biomimenics

22. Question 11
• The hierarchy of bees in a colony is thought to depend on this
substance X (two words). All bee larvae are fed this substance , and
depending on the amount fed and additional nutrients provided the
larvae become worker bees, nurses or most importantly, the queen.
X is also widely marketed as a dietary supplement and used in
alternative medicine. ID X.
•

23. 11
• Royal jelly

24. Question 12.
MADHUCA LONGIFOLIA is a tropical tree which flourishes in central
and North Indian forests and plains. The flowers bloom between
March to May, giving off a sweet and pungent fragrance. It is
cultivated for its oils and the leaves are fed on by a moth X which
produces tussar silk.
The flower finds its place in a Bollywood song O Re Kanchi
Ghataon Mein Kahin Chupna Hai To Saawan Bula Doon
___ ___ Mehka Mehka
Mehka Mehka ___ ___
What is the common name of this tree?
Name X

26. 12
Part A- Mahua or Mahuwa Tree
Part B- Antheraea paphia or south India small
tussore

27. Question 13.
This property (X) of the poop of a bottom dwelling marine animal is
beneficial to the survival of coral reefs. The poop is also known to
prevent algal blooms due to which they are called the vacuum
cleaners of the oceans. Pearl fishes are known to inhabit this
animal’s anus, especially during the light hours. Name the
echinoderm.

28. Part A- Alkalinity
Part B- Sea Cucumber
13

29. Question 14.
Inside Malaysia’s Tambun Cave a 3000 year old drawing of this
animal was discovered the description of which translates to “Lady of
the sea”. This marine mammal is found in the Andaman & Nicobar
islands and other warm coastal waters which feeds mainly on X. In
the olden days, this vegetarian was considered to be a mermaid.
They are now highly endangered. Name the mammal and X.

31. Mammal- Dugong or DUGONG DUGON
X- Sea grass
14

32. A gif of a hummingbird caught up-close on a 20 fps (frames per
second) CCTV camera got popular online due to an interesting
illusion. What?
Question 15

33. The hummingbird appears to be floating/ hovering in mid-air
without flapping its wings. This is because the fps of the camera
matched the flaps per second of the hummingbird.
15