Question 1

What is the purpose of a routine cleaning at the dentist?

Accepted Answer

To scrape away dental plaque and hardened tartar to keep your mouth healthy and prevent disease

Answer

To make your teeth whiter

Answer

To give you a shiny smile

Answer

To remove food particles from your teeth

Question 2

What is dental calculus?

Accepted Answer

The byproduct of hundreds of species of microbes that are adapted to thrive in the ecosystem of your mouth

Answer

A type of fossil found in teeth

Answer

An artificial material used in dental procedures

Answer

A type of bacteria that causes tooth decay

Question 3

What makes dental calculus unique compared to other parts of your body?

Accepted Answer

It is the only part of your body that fossilizes while you're alive

Answer

It is the part of your body with the most nerve endings

Answer

It is the cleanest part of your body

Answer

It is the fastest-regenerating part of your body

Question 4

What is the term used to describe the trillions of microorganisms that live in and on our bodies?

Accepted Answer

Microbiome

Answer

Nanobiome

Answer

Cellbiome

Answer

Macrobiome

Question 5

What role does the oral microbiome play in our health and development?

Accepted Answer

A crucial role

Answer

A minor role

Answer

A detrimental role

Answer

No role at all

Question 6

What is the main reason dental calculus is considered a valuable source of information about our evolutionary history?

Accepted Answer

It preserves information for millennia, including ancient microbial DNA

Answer

It is shiny and looks nice on teeth

Answer

It is easy to remove and study

Answer

It can be used as a time capsule

Question 7

What key discovery was made by scientists when they studied microbial DNA from dental calculus?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a core group of 10 microbes shared across different species

Answer

The complete extinction of oral microbes over time

Answer

The absence of microbial DNA in ancient populations

Answer

The discovery of a new species of ancient microbes

Question 8

What major change in diet during human evolution is suggested by the abundance of a microbe called Streptococcus in our mouths?

Accepted Answer

Transition to a starchier diet

Answer

Transition to a liquid diet

Answer

Transition to a sugar-free diet

Answer

Transition to a meat-based diet

Question 9

What is significant about the discovery of starch-digesting microbes in Neanderthal teeth?

Accepted Answer

It suggests the adaptation to a starchier diet in our common ancestor over 600,000 years ago

Answer

It reveals Neanderthals were not able to digest starch

Answer

It indicates direct consumption of starch by Neanderthals

Answer

It implies a recent shift in Neanderthal diet

Question 10

What does the presence of Neanderthal-like microbes on European human teeth reveal?

Accepted Answer

Interactions and interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals

Answer

A lack of microbial diversity in ancient humans

Answer

A recent introduction of these microbes to European populations

Answer

A complete separation between humans and Neanderthals

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