Random Questions
2005 ACF Fall - Packet by Kentucky C and Grinnell Vigeland and Northwestern B and UCLA novice - #14 [report this tossup]
Suggested to be evolutionarily advantageous for the fungus Podospora anserine, typical examples of these molecules in yeast contain a high number of glutamine and asparagine residues. These molecules have no known genetic material associated with them, and they are produced by a mutation to a gene that codes for a normal PrP protein. When this mutation occurs, it induces incorrect folding in the normal protein, resulting in accumulation and subsequent brain cell destruction. Transmissible by injection or ingestion of infected tissue, these objects are responsible for fatal familial insomnia, kuru, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. FTP, name these abnormal proteins discovered and named by Stanley B. Prusiner, a portmanteau for "proteinaceous infectious particle".
Answer: prions (accept proteinaceous infectious particles on early buzz)
2003 ACF Regionals - Packet by Illinois - #22 [report this tossup]
One of its minor characters, Mr. O'Connor, receives a solicitation from Richard Tierney prior to his delivering alcohol to the title location, for which he is criticized. Very politically charged, topics of discussion in this work include the imminent arrival of Edward VII, and near the end, the nationalist Mr. Hynes recites his poem "The Death of Parnell," whose anniversary is being celebrated on the title holiday. FTP, name this short story, the twelfh entry in James Joyce's Dubliners.
Answer: "Ivy Day in the Committee Room"
2003 ACF Nationals - Packet by ACF Editors (#3) - #10 [report this tossup]
Copies of this canvas were rare until the last decade because its owner, Albert Barnes, disapproved of color reproductions. A woman in the background to the right can be seen herding goats with a flute, while the foreground is dominated by another flute-playing figure and an embracing couple. A huge swath of orange dominates the left side of the canvas, where a squatting man can be seen in front of a stretching nude. Perhaps this painting's most interesting feature is the circle of six dancing figures in the background. FTP, identify this colorful canvas by Henri Matisse.
Answer: The Joy of Life or Le Bonheur de Vivre