Preservation and Research at the Field Museum

Why are specimens at the Field Museum kept in a wet state?

• To preserve their shape and DNA

• To reduce their weight

• To make them easier to transport

• To enhance their color

How does the Field Museum acquire its specimens?

• By breeding them in captivity

• Through online purchases

• By trading with other museums

• Via donations and field collection

What is the first step Sarah takes with a new specimen?

• Weighing it

• Feeding it

• Extracting its DNA

• Photographing it

Why is formalin used in the preservation process?

• To disinfect the specimen

• To enhance the specimen's color

• To preserve the tissue and keep it frozen in time

• To make the specimen lighter

What is the advantage of using alcohol over formalin for long-term preservation?

• Alcohol is easier to obtain

• Alcohol is more colorful

• Alcohol is cheaper

• Alcohol is less toxic

What is the purpose of clearing and staining specimens?

• To make them more attractive

• To reduce their size

• To make them waterproof

• To reveal bones and cartilage for study

How are new species sometimes discovered at the Field Museum?

• By observing their behavior

• Through genetic modification

• By clearing and staining specimens

• By comparing them to fossils

How are specimens organized in the Field Museum's collection?

• By color

• By size

• By family, genus, and species

• By date of acquisition

What challenge is faced when trying to find a specific frog in the collection?

• They are all the same color

• They are not cataloged

• They are stored in different buildings

• Each frog has its own ID number

What is the success rate of extracting DNA from old specimens?

• Always 100%

• Between 10% and 90%

• Between 0% and 70%

• Always 50%