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[The Science of Human Height and the Wonders of the Body]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Some Body To Love]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-11-20

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Exploring Human Biology Through 'Two Whats and a Wow'

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy and Guy Raz engage listeners in their signature scientific game show, "Two Whats and a Wow." The episode focuses on fascinating trivia about the human body, challenging the audience to distinguish between scientific truths and common misconceptions.

The Winning 'Wow': Gravity and Human Height

The central scientific question posed to listeners was: "You are actually taller when you wake up than right before you sleep." This statement was confirmed as the true "wow."

According to the explanation provided, this phenomenon occurs because of gravity. Throughout the day, as we sit, stand, and move, gravity exerts pressure on our bodies, specifically compressing the cartilage in our spine and knees. This compression results in a slight decrease in overall height by the end of the day. Conversely, while we sleep, this cartilage has the opportunity to "decompress and spread back out," allowing the body to return to its original height by morning. The show further illustrated this point by noting that astronauts returning from space often report being "an inch or two taller" because they have been free from the constant gravitational pull of Earth.

Debunking Common Myths

The episode also addressed two common misconceptions presented as the "whats":

  1. The Skull Myth: Many assume the skull is the single largest and heaviest bone. However, the show clarifies that the skull is actually composed of 22 different bones. In reality, the femur (the bone in the upper leg) holds the title for being the strongest and heaviest single bone in the human body.
  2. The Blood Volume Myth: Addressing the claim that blood makes up half of a person's body weight, the hosts corrected this, stating that blood accounts for only about 10% of an individual's total weight. The remaining mass is distributed across bones, organs, muscles, and tissues.

Creative Engagement: Operation Extra Extra

Beyond the trivia, the episode encourages listeners to participate in a creative challenge titled "Operation Extra Extra." This task invites "Wowzers" (the show's young audience) to "invent an extra body part" and design a model or drawing of it. This initiative aims to foster curiosity about human anatomy and encourage children to think critically about how physical structures serve specific functions.

Looking Ahead

The hosts concluded the episode by promoting their upcoming book, The How and the Wow of the Human Body, set for release on March 2nd. The episode serves as both an educational resource and a call to action, prompting young listeners to remain curious about the mechanics of their own bodies while preparing for future milestones in the Wow in the World series, including their 250th episode celebration.

🎯Key Sentences

1
That's a little less odd.
2
Why didn't you just say so?
3
It's time to reveal the winning wow.
4
Winner, winner, vitamins and minerals for dinner!
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
nail-biter
4
refresh our contestants
5
spell it out
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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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