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Curious Questions from Curious Minds!
Welcome to Curiopedia, where imagination and discovery take shape! Discover something new today with these curious questions from children. Click on the ‘View Answer’ button to find out the answer! If you want your (child’s) curious question answered and featured here, submit it now.
Month Year
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All in the genes
What are DNA and RNA ?
Ishan Biswas , Kolkata
View AnswerDNA and RNA are nucleic acids found in all living cells. DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule that contains the hereditary information which is passed on from parents to children. The other nucleic acid called ribonucleic acid or RNA translates this hereditary information from DNA into proteins. RNA is a simpler structure and is needed in order for DNA to function. Both these structures together carry instructions that decide the functioning of cells and tissues.
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An apple a day…
Why does an apple turn brown when it’s cut?
Subarna A , Chennai
View AnswerWhen an apple is cut, the plant tissue in it is exposed to oxygen. This is called oxidation — certain enzymes in the apple react and change colour. This is an in-built defense mechanism against bacteria and fungus. The enzymes react with oxygen to form a compound called ortho-quinones. These “o-quinones” react with oxygen to produce melanin which gives the apple its brown colour when cut.
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At the speed of light
Why do we see lightning and then hear thunder?
Sutej Singh , Gurdaspur, Punjab, Chandigarh
View AnswerWhen a bolt of lightning travels from the cloud to the ground it opens up a little hole in the air, called a channel. Once the light has passed through, the air gets back in. This creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder. The reason we see lightning before we hear thunder is because light travels faster than sound
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Why do birds chirp in the morning whereas crickets do so at night?
Shrihan Nambiar , Kochi, Kerala
View AnswerScientists call this the dawn chorus. Birds can sing at any time of day, but at dawn, their songs are often louder, livelier, and more frequent. One reason for this may be because in the early morning, light levels are too dim for birds to do much foraging. Crickets are nocturnal and their chirping is a mating call. It is the male cricket that chirps, calling out to the female by rubbing its wings together briskly.