- 1. On Growth and Form, published in 1917 by the biologist and mathematician D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, is a seminal work that explores the relationship between the physical forms of living organisms and the mathematical principles that underlie them. Thompson posits that the shapes and structures of biological entities are not merely the result of evolutionary processes, but are also deeply influenced by mathematical and physical laws. He meticulously analyzes the growth patterns of various organisms, presenting striking examples from the animal kingdom, such as the intricate shells of mollusks and the proportional relationships found in skeletons. Through detailed illustrations and comprehensive analyses, Thompson elucidates how growth forms can be understood through geometry and mechanics, advocating for a quantitative approach to biological study. His work bridges the gap between the natural sciences and the humanities, emphasizing that understanding form is crucial to comprehending the nature of life itself. The book has had a profound impact on fields as diverse as biology, art, and philosophy, inspiring generations of scientists and artists to appreciate the beauty and complexity of form in the living world.
What year was 'On Growth and Form' first published?
A) 1927
B) 1905
C) 1917
D) 1932
- 2. Thompson argued that the forms of living things are a result of what?
A) Random chance alone
B) Solely genetic programming
C) Divine creation
D) Physical and mathematical forces
- 3. What famous mathematical sequence is discussed in relation to plant structures?
A) Pythagorean theorem
B) Pascal's triangle
C) Euler's number
D) Fibonacci sequence
- 4. Thompson frequently used what science to explain biological growth?
A) Physics
B) Chemistry
C) Psychology
D) Astrology
- 5. What is the main thesis of 'On Growth and Form'?
A) Life is unpredictable
B) Form is a diagram of forces
C) Form follows function
D) Genes determine everything
- 6. Thompson's analysis of a jellyfish's form compares it to what?
A) A solar system
B) A musical instrument
C) A geometric cube
D) A falling drop of liquid
- 7. What concept did Thompson use to compare related animal forms?
A) Cartesian transformations
B) Psychological profiles
C) Darwinian evolution
D) Chemical equations
- 8. Thompson was critical of what predominant biological theory of his time?
A) The germ theory of disease
B) The cell theory
C) The theory of relativity
D) Natural selection as the sole explanation
- 9. The arrangement of leaves on a stem is known as what?
A) Phylogeny
B) Phylogenesis
C) Photosynthesis
D) Phyllotaxis
- 10. Thompson served as a professor at which Scottish university?
A) University of Aberdeen
B) University of Glasgow
C) University of Edinburgh
D) University of St Andrews
- 11. What natural phenomenon does Thompson use to explain the hexagonal cells of a honeycomb?
A) Bird predation
B) Surface tension
C) Wind erosion
D) Queen bee's指令
- 12. What is D'Arcy Thompson's professional background?
A) Medical doctor
B) Theologian
C) Novelist
D) Mathematician and biologist
- 13. The second edition of 'On Growth and Form' was published in what year?
A) 1951
B) 1925
C) 1917
D) 1942
- 14. What does Thompson identify as a fundamental constraint on biological form?
A) Atmospheric pressure only
B) Lunar cycles
C) The laws of mechanics
D) The desires of the organism
- 15. What does Thompson conclude about the beauty of natural forms?
A) It is an illusion
B) It is purely for attracting mates
C) It has no scientific explanation
D) It arises from efficient physical solutions
- 16. What is a major criticism of Thompson's work?
A) He plagiarized other scientists
B) His mathematics was incorrect
C) He underestimated the role of genetics
D) He did not believe in evolution
- 17. Thompson's analysis of the nautilus shell demonstrates its form follows a:
A) Parallel lines
B) Fibonacci sequence
C) Logarithmic spiral
D) Golden ratio
- 18. Which animal's horn growth did Thompson analyze mathematically?
A) Deer
B) Rhino
C) Sheep
D) Bull
- 19. What physical principle explains why large animals have proportionally thicker legs?
A) Quantum mechanics
B) Law of gravity
C) Square-cube law
D) Theory of relativity
- 20. Which scientist praised 'On Growth and Form' as 'the finest work of literature in all science'?
A) Peter Medawar
B) J.B.S. Haldane
C) Stephen Jay Gould
D) Richard Dawkins
- 21. Thompson's work has experienced renewed interest due to advances in:
A) Computational modeling
B) Nanotechnology
C) Genetic engineering
D) Quantum computing
- 22. In his transformations, Thompson showed that differences in biological forms could be described by changes in what?
A) The organism's diet.
B) The average lifespan.
C) The number of chromosomes.
D) The coordinate system.
- 23. In what decade was the first edition of 'On Growth and Form' published?
A) 1910s.
B) 1930s.
C) 1850s.
D) 1890s.
- 24. D'Arcy Thompson's work is primarily a study of the relationship between biology and what other field?
A) Chemistry
B) Geology
C) Mathematics
D) Philosophy
- 25. What geometric shape does Thompson frequently use to explain the arrangement of cells?
A) Triangle
B) Hexagon
C) Square
D) Circle
- 26. Which ancient scientist's work on form and growth was a major influence on Thompson?
A) Aristotle
B) Pythagoras
C) Archimedes
D) Plato
- 27. What mathematical constant does Thompson discuss in relation to logarithmic spirals in nature?
A) Euler's number
B) The golden ratio
C) The imaginary unit
D) Pi
- 28. Thompson argues that the form of what marine organism perfectly illustrates the minimal surface area problem?
A) Sea urchin
B) Coral
C) Jellyfish
D) Radiolarian
- 29. Thompson frequently compares biological forms to structures formed by what natural phenomena?
A) Crystal growth
B) Volcanic rock
C) Sand dunes
D) Soap bubbles
- 30. Which scientific figure wrote the introduction to the 1942 edition of 'On Growth and Form'?
A) Bertrand Russell
B) J.B.S. Haldane
C) Albert Einstein
D) Julian Huxley
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