Word of the Week - 5-26-2008

Word of the Week
ANTINOME
Pronunciation: \an-tuh-nohmFunction: noun
Etymology: anti- + Greek nomos, law
:One that is contradictory or contrary to another; an opposite.


Interesting Fact
Camels do not store water in their humps as is commonly believed; they are actually a reservoir of fatty tissue.
When this tissue is metabolized, it acts as a source of energy, and would yield more than 1 g of water for each 1 g of fat converted through reaction with oxygen from air. Their ability to withstand long periods without water is due to a series of physiological adaptations. Their red blood cells have an oval shape, unlike those of other mammals, which are circular. This is to facilitate their flow in a dehydrated state.

Camels are also able to withstand changes in body temperature and water content that would kill most other animals. Their temperature ranges from 34 °C (93 °F) at night up to 41 °C (106 °F) during the day, and only above this threshold will they begin to sweat. The upper body temperature range is often not reached during the day in milder climatic conditions, and therefore, the camel may not sweat at all during the day. Evaporation of their sweat takes place at the skin level, not at the surface of their coat, thereby being very efficient at cooling the body compared to the amount of water lost through sweating.

A feature of their nostrils is that a large amount of water vapor in their exhalations is trapped and returned to their body fluids, thereby reducing the amount of water lost through respiration.

The kidneys and intestines of a camel are very efficient at retaining water. Urine comes out as a thick syrup, and their feces are so dry that they can fuel fires.

Trivial Pursuit
Here are the questions:
Global View (Geography):
How much taller was the average Japanese 11-year-old in 2001, compared to 1950 – 2, 4, or 6 inches?

Entertainment:
What contrarian comic rants darkly on a 2001 CD entitled The White Album?

News:
What Shakespearean play did Crown Prince Dipendra quote from on Mother’s Day, shortly before he killed her along with the king?

Written Word:
What comic strip bird was named by creator Berke Breathed for a song by the band Kansas?

Life & Science: What large internet portal was accused in 2001 of denying access to millions of netizens using “alternate” browers like Opera and Mozilla?

Games & Sports:
Who was the only man besides Cal Ripkin Jr. to make baseball’s All-Century team at shortstop?

Here are last week’s answers:
Global View (Geography):
What 300 ton golden symbol caps Tokyo’s Asahi Beer Hall – a beer can, a flame, or a sheaf of wheat? A flame

Entertainment:
What portly prognosticator did rotund Al Roker replace on The Today Show? Willard Scott

News:
What Pennsylvania institution changed its name to Arcadia University in 2001, after web filters began blocking its old moniker? Beaver College

Written Word:
What novelist published his first book, The Boo, while still a student at the Citadel? Pat Conroy

Life & Science: What internet “personality” retired in 2001, asking to be remembered “wherever there’s a badly dressed celebrity or an over-inflated ego”? MrShowBiz.com

Games & Sports:
What nickname did John Thompson suggest in lieu of “Air Jordan” for the 38-year-old’s return? “Floor Jordan”