Can You Identify What Kind of Scientist Deals With These Natural Phenomena?

By: Brittany Rowland
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify What Kind of Scientist Deals With These Natural Phenomena?
Image: Morsa Images / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Since humans have existed on Earth, they've been curious about science. Oh, sure, the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians didn't have giant telescopes that could see into the vastness of space or powerful microscopes that could examine tiny particles. But they still performed scientific experiments to better understand the nature of the world and the universe. And for thousands of years since, people have continually made advancements in medicine, science and astronomy, adding to people's understanding of natural phenomena such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes.

Let's face it: the world would be a much darker place without the invaluable contributions of scientists ... and not just because they harnessed electricity! Scientists have helped us cure diseases, effectively use our natural resources, predict hurricanes and tornadoes, travel to the moon and so much more. We have scientists like Galileo, Copernicus, Curie and Darwin to thank for our longer lifespans, brighter futures and richer knowledge of the world. 

So whether you built a volcano model in school or played with a chemistry set as a kid, see how many of these scientists you can identify by their official titles. We promise not to blind you with science! Maybe you should see an ophthalmologist for that ...

Q 01 Ancient fossils Unearthed any bones lately? This kind of scientist studies ancient fossils.
Paleontologist
You have paleontologists to thank for the dinosaur bones you see displayed at the museum. Paleontologists study ancient fossils to discover what life was like thousands of years ago.
Geologist
Seismologist
Agronomist

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Q 02 Earthquake When you feel an earthquake rumbling, it's time to call what kind of scientist?
Physicist
Geneticist
Seismologist
People once thought that earthquakes were caused by angry gods or subterranean gases. Seismologists study seismic waves through the Earth to better understand and predict earthquakes and tsunamis.
Psychiatrist

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Q 03 Cells If studying cells is your thing, consider a career as which of the following?
Marine biologist
Cytologist
Cytologists explore the functions and structure of cells to aid in medical research. They are concerned with both eukaryotes, which have a nucleus, and prokaryotes, which include bacteria.
Epidemiologist
Botanist

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Q 04 Genes What type of scientist studies how genes pass from parent to child?
Microbiologist
Physicist
Geologist
Geneticist
Have you ever wondered how your parents' traits got passed down to you? Geneticists could tell you how; they study genes and heredity. They owe Gregor Mendel some thanks for his early work in the field.

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Q 05 Rocks Are you curious about how rocks form? You might enjoy being which kind of scientist?
Nuclear chemist
Oceanologist
Petrologist
Remember learning about igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in school? A petrologist studies those three kinds of rocks and how they form. Petrology and mineralogy often go hand in hand.
Anthropologist

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Q 06 Insects Attention, bug lovers! Which scientist is an expert when it comes to insects?
Entomologist
Entomology, or the study of insects, is a particular branch of zoology. Since there are potentially millions of species of insects — many unclassified — entomologists have plenty of subjects to study!
Criminologist
Sociologist
Osteologist

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Q 07 Mushrooms We bet this kind of scientist, who studies mushrooms, is a real "fungi." Can you name them?
Ornithologist
Ecologist
Herpetologist
Mycologist
Before you go eating any wild mushrooms, you should consult with a mycologist. This type of scientist knows all about fungi and can determine whether wild mushrooms are toxic or not.

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Q 08 Blood Fascinated by diseases of the blood? You should talk to this kind of scientist.
Hematologist
Hematologists research the diseases related to blood, such as blood clots, hemophilia, leukemia and lymphoma. People with these afflictions have hematologists to thank for their treatment plans.
Acarologist
Lepidopterist
Toxicologist

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Q 09 Butterflies At career day, this kind of scientist might bring in moths and butterflies to show the students. What is this person called?
Ichthyologist
Embryologist
Neuroscientist
Lepidopterist
Lepidopterology, or the scientific study of butterflies and moths, is a branch of entomology. Historically, European lepidopterists have traveled to places like Australia and Brazil to find new specimens.

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Q 10 Cancer Can you identify the type of scientist who studies cancer?
Oncologist
The word "oncology" comes from the Greek for "study of tumors." Oncologists stay busy studying the causes of cancer and researching ways to cure it. They also list risk factors to avoid.
Demographer
Psychologist
Pathologist

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Q 11 Animal Kingdom If you consider yourself an expert on the animal kingdom, you should look into becoming what?
Bacteriologist
Geneticist
Zoologist
A zoologist is a type of biologist who specifically studies all animals, including ones that are extinct. Zoologists also research animals' habitats and how they fare in their ecosystems.
Histologist

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Q 12 Snakes Frogs We bet this kind of scientist had pet snakes and frogs as a kid! Can you name the scientist?
Mammalogist
Virologist
Meteorologist
Herpetologist
Herpetology, which comes from the Greek for "creeping animal," is the study of amphibians and reptiles. That covers a lot of cold-blooded animals, from lizards, snakes and turtles to frogs, salamanders and toads.

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Q 13 Origins of the Universe Curious about the origins of the universe? Find one of these scientists to talk to!
Stereochemist
Cosmologist
If you ever need someone to explain the Big Bang Theory to you, you can ask a cosmologist. Cosmology is focused on understanding the origins and evolution of the universe. That's some pretty vast stuff!
Astrophysicist
Glaciologist

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Q 14 Birds Maybe Hitchcock consulted one of these scientists when he directed "The Birds." They're experts on them!
Paleobotanist
Primatologist
Ichnologist
Ornithologist
Since the Stone Age, when people drew pictures of birds, people have been curious about avian species. Ornithologists seek to understand the behavior of birds, such as their migration patterns.

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Q 15 Fish There's nothing fishy about these scientists! They simply study fish.
Ichthyologists
An ichthyologist is a kind of zoologist that studies fish, and they have plenty of species to choose from. According to a global database of fish, ichthyologists discover hundreds of new fish species every year.
Hydrologists
Quantum physicists
Palynologists

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Q 16 Wooded plants If trees speak to you, consider a career as this type of scientist who studies wooded plants. What are they called?
Dendrologist
Dendrologists know all about wooded plants, like trees, shrubs and vines. They often use leaf shape to identify the type of tree. Although it's similar in some ways, dendrology is distinct from botany.
Edaphologist
Climatologist
Mineralogist

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Q 17 Body_s defense system These scientists study the body's defense system. What are they called?
Radiobiologists
Immunologists
Immunology is considered a branch of biology because it studies living beings — specifically, their immune systems. Thus, immunologists are concerned with organs like the thymus, spleen and liver.
Virologists
Biophysicists

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Q 18 Large bodies of ice What kind of scientist studies ice — specifically, large bodies of ice?
Glaciologist
Glaciologists study glaciers and other large bodies of ice, tracking the movement and melting of glaciers around the world. Astroglaciologists look for ice on other planets and moons.
Volcanologist
Sedimentologist
Speleologist

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Q 19 Caves Today's young cave explorer might be this type of scientist tomorrow. What's it called?
Paleoclimatologist
Geomicrobiologist
Speleologist
Speleology is the study of caves and how they form and change over time. Sometimes speleologists are confused with spelunkers or cavers — people who explore caves for fun. But both groups need solid caving skills.
Oceanographer

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Q 20 Inland water Interested in inland bodies of water? Maybe you should be this kind of scientist who studies them.
Entomologist
Botanist
Toxicologist
Limnologist
Limnologists are scientists who study inland aquatic ecosystems, such as lakes, rivers, wetlands and ponds. This field of study focuses on the physical and chemical traits of inland bodies of water.

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Q 21 Dian Fossey Gorilla expert Dian Fossey is an example of which type of scientist?
Aerobiologist
Anatomist
Primatologist
Primatologists study primates to better understand their behavior and evolution over time. An interesting fact: women make up the majority of scientists seeking Ph.D.s in primatology.
Parasitologist

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Q 22 Eruptions We imagine that these scientists are used to dealing with eruptions ... What are they called?
Volcanologists
A volcanologist is a type of geologist who focuses on volcanoes, magma and lava. These scientists study the history of volcanoes and what causes them to erupt, so they can better predict future eruptions.
Seismologists
Thermochemists
Gemologists

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Q 23 Weather Can you give us the weather forecast? Maybe you're this type of scientist!
Hydrologist
Astrochemist
Cosmologist
Meteorologist
The Greek word "meteorology" literally means "the study of things high in the air." Meteorologists study changes in the atmosphere to predict the weather. For instance, we rely on them to warn us about hurricanes.

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Q 24 Spiders and Scorpions If creepy-crawly spiders and scorpions are your favorites, perhaps you should become what kind of scientist?
Arachnologist
If you need a spider expert, an arachnologist is your safest bet. These scientists study arachnids, including spiders, scorpions and daddy longlegs. They'll know whether or not a particular spider is venomous.
Bacteriologist
Embryologist
Osteologist

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Q 25 Oganisms in the sea What type of scientist specifically studies organisms in the sea?
Neuroendocrinologist
Ornithologist
Marine biologist
Since the oceans cover about 71% of Earth's surface, marine biologists have a lot of ground to cover, so to speak. They study marine life to better understand how such life affects the overall environment.
Quantum biologist

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Q 26 Parasites Yes, parasites inspire their own field of study! Can you name the scientist who studies them?
Microbiologist
Parasitologist
A parasitologist studies parasites and their hosts and how they interact. Parasitology is especially important to the field of medicine, because parasites can cause malaria, dysentery and other diseases.
Histologist
Mineralogist

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Q 27 Diamonds Scientists who can easily identify sapphires, rubies and diamonds are called what?
Edaphologists
Agrophysicists
Gemologists
Gemology is a branch of mineralogy that focuses on gemstones. Many jewelers become gemologists so they can better evaluate the quality of gems. They use special tools, such as a refractometer, to examine gems.
Hydrogeologists

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Q 28 Stars and planets Those who love to gaze up at the stars and other planets should consider a career as what kind of scientist?
Astronomer
If it's your dream to observe galaxies, comets, planets and moons, then you should consider becoming an astronomer. These scientists study celestial objects to understand how they form and move.
Limnologist
Paleoecologist
Thermochemist

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Q 29 Disease These scientists, who study disease, are invaluable to the field of medicine. What are they?
Archaeologists
Pathologists
Doctors wouldn't be able to diagnose illnesses without the help of pathologists, who study the causes and effects of different diseases. Pathologists commonly analyze tissue or blood samples.
Botanists
Mycologists

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Q 30 Mammals Do you love animals and want to study mammals in particular? Talk to one of these scientists.
Ornithologist
Paleobotanist
Neuroscientist
Mammalogist
Mammalogy is a branch of zoology that focuses specifically on mammals, a diverse class of warm-blooded animals. According to mammalogists, over 6,000 mammal species have been identified thus far.

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Q 31 Drugs and effects Which of these scientists studies drugs and their effects?
Pharmacologist
A branch of biology, pharmacology studies drugs and their effects on living organisms. Phamacologists try to discover the therapeutic benefits of chemicals, which is useful in the creation of drugs.
Femtochemist
Cosmologist
Nuclear physicist

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Q 32 Matter Can you name the scientist who studies the different forms of matter?
Geologist
If you need an expert on solid, liquid and gaseous matter on Earth, a geologist is your best bet. These scientists also help find natural energy resources, like natural gas and petroleum.
Biologist
Ichthyologist
Geographer

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Q 33 Features and inhabitants This type of scientist studies the physical features and inhabitants of Earth and other planets. Can you name them?
Atomic physicist
Stereochemist
Geographer
The word "geography" comes from the Greek for "Earth description," and that's what geographers provide: a comprehensive description of the land, physical features and phenomena of the planet.
Entomologist

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Q 34 Bacteria Who wouldn't love to study bacterial species? These scientists do.
Bacteriologist
Lucky for us, bacteriologists study bacteria and how they impact medicine. For example, these scientists explore how certain bacteria cause diseases, which helps them develop antibiotics.
Biolinguist
Geneticist
Ornithologist

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Q 35 Nervous system Want to learn more about the nervous system? Chat with one of these scientists.
Virologist
Neuroscientist
If anyone knows all about the nervous system and its impact on learning and behavior, it's neuroscientists! They study the brain, spinal cord and nerves to better understand diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Primatologist
Sociobiologist

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Q 36 Weather long periods Can you identify the scientist who studies weather conditions over long periods of time?
Climatologist
Climatologists are concerned with climate changes. By analyzing atmospheric conditions over an indefinite period of time, they can make predictions about future climate conditions.
Oceanographer
Palynologist
Sedimentologist

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Q 37 Sand Clay Silt Interested in how sand, clay and silt erode over time? Then you're like one of these scientists.
Dendrologist
Sedimentologist
Sedimentologists look at sedimentary structures to get a better idea of the Earth's geologic history. In particular, they study how sediments form, erode, change and move over time.
Particle physicist
Petrologist

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Q 38 Soil These scientists explore how soil affects plants. Can you name them?
Astrophysicists
Ornithologists
Edaphologists
Edaphology is a type of soil science that explores how soil affects plant life. Understandably, edaphologists are invaluable scientists in agriculture because they can measure soil fertility.
Paleobiologists

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Q 39 Radiation effects Do you know which type of scientist studies the health effects of radiation on living creatures?
Radiobiologist
Radiobiologists study the impact on living beings of ionizing radiation. While radiation has useful purposes, such as for treating cancer, too much of it can have adverse health effects.
Zoologist
Astronomer
Demographer

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Q 40 Bone expert Make no bones about it ... These scientists who study bones are hip to the human body!
Acarologist
Herpetologist
Biologist
Osteologist
Osteology is a branch of science that focuses on bones, their structure, how they grow and their diseases. An osteologist may, for example, be able to determine the age and sex of a human skeleton.

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