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[The Fascinating Science of Berries: A 'Two Whats and a Wow' Special]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Berry Nice (7/19/24)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2024-07-19

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Introduction to the World of Berries

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz engage listeners in a spirited game of "Two Whats and a Wow," a scientific game show designed to separate true facts from fabricated myths. The primary focus of this installment is the botanical world of berries, challenging common misconceptions about what we define as fruit.

Round One: The Avocado Revelation

The game kicks off with a surprising botanical fact: avocados are scientifically classified as berries. As explained in the show, the "brown thing at the center" of an avocado is a seed, and because the layer surrounding that seed is fleshy, it meets the scientific criteria to be called a berry. While listeners might find the large seed to be a bit of a "rip-off," similar to a bag of chips that is "60% air," the science remains clear: avocados are indeed berries.

Round Two: The Unique Strawberry

The second round highlights the peculiar nature of strawberries. The winning "wow" is that strawberries are the only fruit that have "seeds on the outside." Unlike typical fruits where seeds are nestled within, strawberries appear to "wear their seeds on their sleeves." This characteristic distinguishes them from almost all other fruits, adhering to the principle that while "it's what's on the inside that counts" for most fruits, the strawberry breaks the mold.

Round Three: Aquatic Berry Eaters

The final round takes us to the rivers of South America. The "wow" fact reveals that the Peru Potonga fish in Brazil exhibits the unique behavior of jumping out of the water to eat berries from "low-hanging branches" that overhang the river. This behavior perfectly illustrates the concept of "low-hanging fruit" in a literal, biological sense, as the fish actively hunt for these forest treats.

Bonus: Scientific Tattoos

Beyond the berry-themed rounds, the show includes a "Bonker Balls" segment discussing "Cellular Tattoos for Science." The winning insight here is that these specialized tattoos "cannot be seen by the human eye." These microscopic tattoos are printed in gold on human cells, with the potential future application of "transmitting health data to doctors." Currently, they last for about 16 hours, but scientists are working to extend their longevity.

Conclusion and Engagement

The episode serves as both an educational tool and a call to action for the "World Organization of Wowzers." By blending humor, physical challenges, and genuine scientific inquiry, Wow in the World continues to make complex topics accessible and exciting for young listeners. Whether discussing the anatomy of an avocado or the future of medical technology, the show emphasizes curiosity and active participation in the wonders of our world.

🎯Key Sentences

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It's going to be a November to remember.
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But for now, let's get on with the show.
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Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
4
When you think you have the correct answer, shout how many times you've been to the bathroom today.
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And time is up.
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📝Key Phrases

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music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
a big but
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made up
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take up space
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📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

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