Understanding the Heart: History, Symbolism, and Biology

Which organ did ancient Egyptians believe was essential for the afterlife?

• The brain

• The heart

• The liver

• The lungs

What did Western thinkers like Aristotle believe about the heart?

• It governed emotions

• It was responsible for pumping blood

• It was a symbol of strength

• It was the source of intelligence

How does the brain respond to seeing a loved one?

• It releases dopamine

• It releases cortisol

• It releases serotonin

• It releases epinephrine and norepinephrine

What is the resting heart rate of a pygmy shrew?

• 200 beats per minute

• 250 beats per minute

• 1300 beats per minute

• 1000 beats per minute

What principle explains the relationship between animal size and metabolism?

• The square-cube law

• The quarter-power scaling principle

• The Fibonacci sequence

• The golden ratio