The Great Gobble Squabble 2024

A turkey's entire genome has approximately __________ nucleotides.

(Genome = The complete set of DNA found inside a single cell)

• 1,000,000 (1 Million)

• 10,000,000 (10 Million)

• 100,000,000 (100 Million)

• 1,000,000,000 (1 Billion)

Answer explanation

Humans have approximately 3 billion nucleotides in our genome!

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

Humans have 22 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 44 chromosomes.

True of False: Turkeys have more chromosomes than humans.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Turkeys have more chromosomes than humans (39 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 78).

But wait! Don't turkey's have less nucleotides than humans?

Yes, but as a reminder, chromosomes are just strands of DNA condensed and wrapped around proteins. While turkeys have more of these chromosomes, the strands themselves are shorter, making for smaller chromosomes!

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Which one of these Thanksgiving dishes has the most chromosomes in their living cells?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Potatoes have 48 chromosomes

Pumpkins have 40 chromosomes

Pigs have 38 chromosomes

Green Beans have 22 chromosomes

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Turkey is typically separated into two types of meat when served: white meat and dark meat. What is the name of the protein that gives dark meat its color?

• Myoglobin

• Insulin

• Collagen

• Melanin

Answer explanation

Proteins are just long chains of amino acids folded into special shapes, with myoglobin being a specific protein that helps bind and transport oxygen.

Muscular regions of mammals have more myoglobin, as muscles typically need more oxygen to function. This is why turkey legs and wings, which are muscular and move often, hold extra myoglobin and are colored differently!

Male turkeys have evolved several anatomical features to help them attract mates. Male turkeys have a longer red piece of flesh that hangs over their beak.

What is the name of the flap that folds over a turkey's beak?

• Wattle

• Snood

• Carbuncle

• Comb

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

True or False: Turkey feathers are made from the same protein as human hair.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

TRUE! Turkey feathers and human hair are both made of a protein called keratin. In fact, all feathers, hairs, nails, and claws in animals are made of keratin.