Amazing Scientific Misconceptions

A teacher forwarded these comments from test papers, essays, etc., submitted to science and health teachers by elementary, junior high, high school and college students.

As she noted, "It is truly astonishing what weird science our young scholars can create under the pressures of time and grades."

"The body consists of three parts: the branium, the borax, and the abominable cavity. The branium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abominable cavity contains the bowels, of which there are five--a, e, i, o, and u."

"H2O is hot water, and CO2 is cold water."

"When you smell an odorless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide."

"Water is composed of two gins, Oxygin and Hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is gin and water."

"Three kinds of blood vessels are arteries, vanes and caterpillars."

"Artificial insemination is when the farmer does it to the cow instead of the bull."

"Germinate: To become a naturalized German."

"Magnet: Something you find crawling all over a dead animal."

"To prevent contraception, use a condominium."

"Vacuum: A large, empty space where the pope lives."