Biology misconceptions test
Biology myths are sticky because they sound sensible: we use 10% of our brains, cold weather gives you colds, humans evolved from chimps. Each has a better answer that’s more interesting than the myth.
A tree grows from a tiny seed into tonnes of wood. Where does most of that wood’s mass come from?
About this test
Every wrong answer here is a named misconception. You’ll see the real story after each question, and at the end you get a course that starts from the ones you believed.
Questions people ask
Do we really use only 10% of our brains?
No. Brain imaging shows activity throughout the brain over the course of a day, and damage to almost any region has effects.
Did humans evolve from monkeys?
No. Humans and today’s apes share common ancestors. Our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, split from our line around six to eight million years ago.
Where does fat go when you lose weight?
Mostly into the air. Most of the mass leaves as carbon dioxide you breathe out, and the rest as water.
Is it true we only use 10% of our brains?
No. Brain scans show activity all over the brain across a day, and damage to almost any part causes some loss. Even during sleep, large parts are busy. The 10% idea is a myth with no evidence behind it.
Is this biology quiz good for revision?
It’s better as a check on common misunderstandings than as exam revision. Everything in it is a belief that real students and adults hold, and each answer comes with a short, plain explanation of what’s actually going on.
