Scientific Concepts You're Taught in School Which are Actually Wrong

Summary

This video script debunks several common scientific myths taught in schools, shedding light on misconceptions that persist today. It covers topics like the false notion that deoxygenated blood is blue, the oversimplified claim that carrots improve eyesight, and the inaccurate belief that humans have only five senses. The script also clarifies errors such as the misunderstanding about the taste map on the tongue and the exaggerated idea that 80% of body heat is lost through the head. By revisiting these long-held myths, the video encourages viewers to rethink widely accepted scientific concepts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Science can be complicated, and often, students are taught oversimplified or incorrect concepts to make them easier to understand.
• 😀 The idea that atoms are the smallest things in the universe is incorrect, as atoms are made of subatomic particles, which are also made up of smaller components.
• 😀 The myth of the 'alpha male' in human behavior is based on outdated research and has been debunked by its original proponents.
• 😀 The idea that deoxygenated blood is blue is a misconception. Blood is always red, just a darker shade when it's deoxygenated.
• 😀 The reason veins appear blue is due to light scattering, not the color of the blood within them. Veins are colorless, and the blue effect is an optical illusion.
• 😀 Eating carrots does not improve vision unless there is a vitamin A deficiency. It is only helpful in preventing vision problems caused by malnutrition.
• 😀 Humans have more than five senses. In addition to sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, humans have additional senses such as balance, pain, temperature, and proprioception.
• 😀 The misconception that humans only have five senses originates from Aristotle’s early works and has been disproven by modern science.
• 😀 The 'taste map' that claims different parts of the tongue are responsible for different tastes is false. It was based on a misinterpretation of early research.
• 😀 The idea that humans lose 80% of their body heat through the head is a myth. Research shows that approximately 10% of body heat is lost through the head, proportional to surface area exposed.

Q & A

What is the common myth about deoxygenated blood, and what is the actual scientific explanation?

The myth is that deoxygenated blood is blue and turns red when exposed to air. The truth is that blood is always red, with its shade varying based on oxygenation. The 'blue' appearance of veins is an optical illusion due to light scattering in the skin.

Why do veins appear blue if blood is never actually blue?

Veins appear blue because shorter blue wavelengths of light penetrate the skin more effectively than longer red wavelengths. This causes the red blood to give off a blue tint when viewed through the skin.

Can eating carrots actually improve your eyesight?

Eating carrots can improve vision if a person has a vitamin A deficiency, as they provide beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. However, for most people with adequate vitamin A, carrots won't significantly improve or prevent age-related vision loss.

How did the misconception about eating carrots improving eyesight arise?

The myth was likely amplified during times when vitamin A deficiencies were more common, such as during the Great Depression. Teachers likely promoted the idea that eating carrots could improve eyesight, when in fact they were simply promoting a healthy, nutrient-rich food.

How many senses do humans actually have, and how does this compare to the traditional five senses taught in school?

Humans have more than five senses. While the traditional five (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell) exist, humans also have senses such as balance, pain, temperature, and proprioception. Some scientists propose up to 33 senses, depending on the definition used.

What is proprioception, and why is it important?

Proprioception is the sense that allows individuals to perceive their body’s position and movement in space, even without visual input. It helps people perform tasks like climbing stairs without looking at their feet.

What is the 'taste map' of the tongue, and why is it considered a misconception?

The 'taste map' suggests that different areas of the tongue are responsible for specific tastes (sweet, salty, bitter, sour). This is a misinterpretation of early research and has been debunked. All areas of the tongue can detect all basic tastes.

How did the taste map myth originate, and why is it still taught?

The myth originated from a misinterpretation of a 1901 study by David P. Hanig, which was later distorted by Edwin G. Boring. Despite being disproven, it continues to appear in textbooks due to historical persistence and miscommunication.

What is the truth about the claim that we lose 80% of our body heat through our head?

The claim that 80% of body heat is lost through the head is a myth. The actual figure is around 10%, corresponding to the head’s surface area. The myth arose from misinterpreted military research, where the head was the only exposed part of the body in cold conditions.

How did the U.S. Army contribute to the myth about heat loss through the head?

The U.S. Army's 1970 survival manual stated that 40-45% of body heat is lost through the head, based on a study where volunteers wore Arctic survival suits with no head covering. This was misinterpreted and later inflated to the 80% figure commonly cited today.