1: What percentage of a cucumber is made up of water?
A: 85%
B: 90%
C: 95%
D: 100%
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cucumbers consist of 95% water, making them a hydrating food.
2: Which scientific family does the cucumber belong to?
A: Solanaceae
B: Fabaceae
C: Cucurbitaceae
D: Poaceae
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cucumbers are a part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes other vine vegetables like pumpkins.
3: What is the genus of the cucumber?
A: Cucumis
B: Luffa
C: Citrullus
D: Trichosanthes
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus of the cucumber is Cucumis.
4: Which type of cucumber does not require pollination to produce fruit?
A: Slicing cucumber
B: Pickling cucumber
C: Seedless cucumber
D: Parthenocarpic cucumber
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Parthenocarpic cucumbers can produce seedless fruit without pollination.
5: What was the primary reason for using honey beehives in cucumber fields?
A: Enhancing flavor
B: Aesthetic appeal
C: Pollination
D: Increasing water content
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Honey beehives are used to pollinate cucumber plants as most of them are self-incompatible.
6: Which type of cucumber is commonly used for eating fresh?
A: Slicing cucumber
B: Pickling cucumber
C: Gherkin cucumber
D: Burpless cucumber
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Slicing cucumbers are generally consumed fresh due to their size, texture, and flavor.
7: Where do cucumbers originate from?
A: Europe
B: North America
C: Asia
D: Africa
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cucumbers originated in Asia, especially regions like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China.
8: What term refers to small cucumbers used for pickling?
A: Slicers
B: Gherkins
C: Burpless cucumbers
D: Wax cucumbers
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gherkins are small cucumbers often used for pickling.
9: Which vitamin is particularly notable in cucumbers?
A: Vitamin A
B: Vitamin K
C: Vitamin D
D: Vitamin E
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cucumbers are notable for containing vitamin K, which contributes 14% of the Daily Value per 100 grams.
10: How long can burpless cucumbers grow?
A: Up to 30 cm
B: Up to 45 cm
C: Up to 60 cm
D: Up to 75 cm
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Burpless cucumbers can grow as long as 60 centimeters (2 feet).
11: What type of compound in cucumbers discourages natural foraging by herbivores?
A: Chlorophyll
B: Cucurbitacin C
C: Beta-carotene
D: Lycopene
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cucurbitacin C is a compound in cucumbers that produces a bitter taste, deterring herbivores.
12: What is the botanical classification of a cucumber?
A: Fruit
B: Vegetable
C: Berry
D: Seed
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Botanically, the cucumber is classified as a pepo, a type of berry.
13: Which aroma compound is responsible for the distinctive smell of cucumbers?
A: Linalool
B: Eugenol
C: (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal
D: Benzaldehyde
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The unsaturated aldehyde (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal contributes to the distinctive cucumber aroma.
14: When were cucumbers first documented to be grown in France?
A: 9th century
B: 12th century
C: 14th century
D: 16th century
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Documentation shows cucumbers being grown in France in the 9th century.
15: What is the scientific name for the common cucumber?
A: Cucumis anguria
B: Cucumis hystrix
C: Cucumis melo
D: Cucumis sativus
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The scientific name for the common cucumber is Cucumis sativus.
16: Which organelle’s genome was sequenced in cucumbers?
A: Nucleus
B: Chloroplast
C: Mitochondrion
D: Ribosome
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The mitochondrial genome of cucumbers was sequenced.
17: What is the primary use of slicing cucumbers?
A: Pickling
B: Juice production
C: Eating fresh
D: Seed extraction
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Slicing cucumbers are primarily used for eating fresh.
18: What percentage of the world’s cucumber production does China contribute?
A: 50%
B: 60%
C: 70%
D: 80%
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: China contributes 80% of the world’s cucumber production.
19: Which phase does the cucumber typically require beehive provision for?
A: Germination
B: Seedling
C: Bloom
D: Harvest
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Beehives are brought to cucumber fields just before bloom for pollination purposes.
20: How long can traditional cucumber cultivars grow?
A: 30 cm
B: 50 cm
C: 62 cm
D: 80 cm
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Traditional cultivars of cucumber can grow as long as 62 centimeters.
21: During which Emperor’s reign were cucumbers reportedly grown year-round in Rome?
A: Augustus
B: Nero
C: Tiberius
D: Caligula
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Emperor Tiberius had cucumbers grown year-round using artificial growing methods.
22: What is another name for cucumbers with a delicate skin grown in greenhouses?
A: Telegraph cucumbers
B: Wild cucumbers
C: Burpless cucumbers
D: Hybrid cucumbers
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In some regions, particularly Australasia, these are called telegraph cucumbers.
23: What type of defense mechanism do cucumbers use against herbivores?
A: Physical thorns
B: Phytochemicals
C: Thick rinds
D: Camouflage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cucumbers use phytochemicals, such as cucurbitacin C, to deter herbivores.
24: What term refers to cucumbers that are seedless and have a thinner skin?
A: Slicing cucumbers
B: Gherkins
C: Burpless cucumbers
D: Pickling cucumbers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Burpless cucumbers are known for being nearly seedless and having a thin skin.
25: In which year did researchers complete the sequencing of the cucumber genome?
A: 2009
B: 2011
C: 2013
D: 2015
Correct Answer: 2009
Explanation: The cucumber genome sequencing was completed in 2009 by an international research team.
26: Which plant is sometimes termed “wild cucumber” but is not closely related to Cucumis sativus?
A: Echinocystis
B: Momordica
C: Trichosanthes
D: Luffa
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In North America, Echinocystis and Marah species are often called “wild cucumbers,” though they are not closely related to Cucumis sativus.
27: How did cucumbers reportedly get the name “cowcumber”?
A: Because they grow in cow fields
B: Believed to be fit only for cow consumption
C: They have cow-like spots
D: They were discovered by a farmer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Due to the belief that cucumbers were fit only for cows, they earned the nickname “cowcumber.”
28: What is the ploidy of cucumber plants?
A: Haploid
B: Diploid
C: Triploid
D: Tetraploid
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cucumbers are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes.
29: Which European explorer found “very great cucumbers” in what is now Montreal in 1535?
A: Christopher Columbus
B: Ferdinand Magellan
C: Jacques Cartier
D: Vasco da Gama
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Jacques Cartier discovered well-grown cucumbers in the region now known as Montreal in 1535.
30: Why are European cucumbers often sold in plastic wrapping?
A: To support growth
B: To reduce spoilage
C: To keep them sterile
D: For marketing purposes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: European cucumbers have delicate skin and are often sold in plastic wrapping to reduce spoilage.
31: What was Pliny the Elder’s term for cucumber-growing structures in ancient Rome?
A: Hothouses
B: Greenhouses
C: Cucumber houses
D: Specularia
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Pliny the Elder described cucumber-growing structures as “specularia,” which were glazed with oiled cloth.
32: Which compounds are responsible for the slightly bitter taste of cucumber rind?
A: Lignans
B: Saponins
C: Cucurbitacins
D: Phytosterols
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The bitter taste in cucumber rind comes from cucurbitacins.
33: In the top five global cucumber producers in 2020, which country was fourth?
A: Mexico
B: Russia
C: Turkey
D: Iran
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: In 2020, Iran was the fourth largest producer of cucumbers and gherkins.
34: What was the role of cucumbers in the Middle Ages under Charlemagne’s rule?
A: They were used exclusively in medicine
B: They were grown in his royal gardens
C: They were used as currency
D: They were considered sacred plants
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Charlemagne had cucumbers grown in his gardens during the 8th/9th century.
35: How did cucumbers reach Haiti according to historical records?
A: Through Spanish explorers
B: Via African traders
C: Through British colonists
D: By natural spread
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spanish explorers, led by Christopher Columbus, introduced cucumbers to Haiti in 1494.
36: What is cucurbitacin C in cucumbers believed to do?
A: Assist in photosynthesis
B: Enhance sweetness
C: Deter herbivores
D: Increase water retention
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cucurbitacin C is thought to help deter herbivores by producing a bitter taste.
37: What is the genome size of cucumbers?
A: 244.82 Mb
B: 320.77 Mb
C: 323.99 Mb
D: 327.45 Mb
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The genome size of the cucumber is 323.99 Megabases (Mb).
38: What method did the Romans reportedly use to grow cucumbers year-round?
A: Hydroponics
B: Artificial light
C: Movable frames
D: Frost Cloth
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Romans used movable frames to grow cucumbers year-round, even in winter.
39: What European country had cucumbers growing by the 14th century but later saw a decline?
A: France
B: Italy
C: England
D: Germany
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cucumbers were introduced to England in the early 14th century, lost, and later reintroduced after about 250 years.
40: Which tribe is documented to have grown cucumbers and watermelons after learning from the Spanish?
A: Mandan
B: Abenaki
C: Iroquois
D: Sioux
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Mandan tribe learned to grow cucumbers and watermelons from the Spanish.
41: How much Vitamin K does a 100-gram serving of cucumber provide?
A: 5% DV
B: 10% DV
C: 14% DV
D: 20% DV
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A 100-gram serving of cucumber provides 14% of the Daily Value for Vitamin K.
42: What is the term for cucumbers that use vinegar and spices for preservation?
A: Pickled cucumbers
B: Stewed cucumbers
C: Raw cucumbers
D: Boiled cucumbers
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Pickling uses vinegar and spices to preserve cucumbers, creating pickled cucumbers.
43: What main characteristic differentiates burpless cucumbers from others?
A: Bumpy skin
B: Larger seeds
C: Thicker skin
D: Thinner skin
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Burpless cucumbers are known for their thinner, more delicate skin compared to other varieties.
44: Which cucumbers are specifically bred for uniformity in length-to-diameter ratio and lack of voids?
A: Slicing cucumbers
B: Gherkins
C: Pickling cucumbers
D: Telegraph cucumbers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pickling cucumbers are bred for uniformity and lack of voids to make them ideal for pickling.
45: In which century did a prejudice against uncooked vegetables and fruits develop?
A: 15th century
B: 16th century
C: 17th century
D: 18th century
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: In the 17th century, there was a growing prejudice against uncooked vegetables and fruits.
46: What is the nutritional content of cucumber per 100 grams?
A: 116 kcal
B: 65 kcal
C: 30 kcal
D: 16 kcal
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Cucumber has 16 kilocalories per 100 grams making it a low-calorie food.
47: How were cucumber plants represented in 16th-century European herbals?
A: With detailed fruits and small flowers
B: Only the leaves were depicted
C: In full bloom
D: As dried samples
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: 16th-century herbals depicted cucumber plants with small, bean-shaped fruits and small yellow flowers.
48: What type of cucumber is commonly wrapped in plastic due to its thin skin?
A: American slicers
B: Gherkins
C: Telegraph cucumbers
D: Wild cucumbers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Telegraph cucumbers, often found in Europe and Australasia, have thin skin and are commonly sold in plastic.
49: What is the minimal amount of iron provided in cucumbers per 100 grams?
A: 0.18 mg
B: 0.28 mg
C: 0.38 mg
D: 0.48 mg
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cucumbers provide 0.28 mg of iron per 100 grams.
50: Which is a common name for the West Indian gherkin that is related to the common cucumber?
A: Cornichon
B: Cowcumber
C: Wild cucumber
D: Melon cucumber
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The West Indian gherkin, Cucumis anguria, is often referred to as a type of wild cucumber.
51: Which explorer reported cucumbers in New England’s gardens as noted in 1633?
A: John Smith
B: William Wood
C: Walter Raleigh
D: Henry Hudson
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: William Wood noted the presence of cucumbers in New England’s gardens in 1633.
52: What could be found in Charlemagne’s gardens as early as the 8th century?
A: Tomatoes
B: Cucumbers
C: Peppers
D: Potatoes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Charlemagne had cucumbers growing in his gardens during the 8th century.
53: How did Samuel Johnson describe the recommended way to serve cucumbers?
A: In a salad
B: With salt and pepper
C: With oil and vinegar, then thrown out
D: As a pickle
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Samuel Johnson sarcastically noted that cucumbers should be served with oil and vinegar and then thrown away.
54: What height can typical cucumber vines reach when grown on trellises?
A: 5 feet
B: 10 feet
C: 15 feet
D: 20 feet
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cucumber vines can grow up to 10 feet tall when supported by trellises.
55: What is the main defense compound found in cucumbers?
A: Alkaloids
B: Terpenes
C: Anthocyanins
D: Cucurbitacins
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The main defense compound in cucumbers is cucurbitacin, which causes bitterness.
56: Who was known to eat cucumbers daily according to historical records?
A: Julius Caesar
B: Emperor Tiberius
C: Alexander the Great
D: Cleopatra
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Emperor Tiberius is historically noted for eating cucumbers every day.
57: How many kilograms of carbohydrate are there in 100g of cucumbers?
A: 0.5 kg
B: 1.97 kg
C: 2.43 kg
D: 3.63 kg
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: There are 3.63 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams of cucumbers.
58: Which component gives cucumbers a mild melon aroma and flavor?
A: Fruit sugars
B: Unsaturated aldehydes
C: Essential oils
D: Beta-carotene
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Unsaturated aldehydes like (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal contribute to the mild melon aroma of cucumbers.
59: What characteristic feature helps differentiate pickling cucumbers?
A: Smooth skin
B: Uniform shape
C: Bumpy skin with spines
D: Soft flesh
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pickling cucumbers usually have bumpy skin with tiny spines.
60: How many degrees of seeds does the average cucumber genome have?
A: 2
B: 3
C: 4
D: 5
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The average cucumber genome has three degrees of seeds, despite variances in seeding across different cultivars.