Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist 10

Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist by Robert W. Peterson.

Word Meanings 

• County – part of a state or country

• Zoology – study of animals

• Specimens – samples of plants/animals collected for study

• Fossils – remains of animals/plants from ancient times

• Competitive – wanting to win

• Scholarship – money given to a student for studies

• Research – careful study to discover new facts

• Curiosity – strong desire to know or learn

• Exhibit – to show/display something

• Project – a planned piece of study/work

• Admired – respected or liked

• Innovative – new, creative, original idea

• Aspiration – strong desire or goal

Question 1.

How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
Answer: The book The Travels of Monarch X changed Richard’s life. After reading it, he got interested in butterflies. He started doing experiments. This helped him become a great scientist.

Question 2.

How did his mother help him?
Answer: Richard’s mother helped him in many ways. She gave him books, science tools, and took him on trips. She always supported him. She also gave him the book The Travels of Monarch X, which changed his life.

Question 3.

What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
Answer: Ebright showed slides of frog tissues at a science fair but didn’t win. He learned that science is not just about showing things. It is about doing real experiments.

Question 4.

What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
Answer: He worked on butterflies. He showed how viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies. He studied gold spots on a butterfly’s pupa and found a new hormone. He also studied how cells read DNA.

Question 5.

What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
Answer: A scientist needs three things:

1. A sharp mind,

2. Curiosity to ask questions,

3. Hard work and determination.

Think About It

Question 1.

How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian...? Does it simply involve reading many books? Does it involve observing, thinking and doing experiments?
Answer: Just reading books is not enough. We must also observe, ask questions, think deeply, and do experiments. That is how we learn better and become experts.

Question 2.

Discuss Richard Ebright’s work on DNA. If you get a chance to work like him, what would you like to study and why?
Answer: DNA carries information from parents to children. Ebright studied how cells read DNA.
If I get a chance, I would like to study diseases. I want to find cures and help people live healthy lives.

Talk About It

Question 1.

What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?
Answer:
DNA fingerprinting is a way to find a person using their DNA. It helps in finding criminals and in finding out who someone’s parents are.

Question 2.

How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?
Answer:
Honeybees use smell to find their honeycomb. Each hive has a special smell that bees can recognize.

Question 3.

Why does rain fall in drops?
Answer:
Rain falls in drops because water in the air sticks to dust. When it becomes heavy, it falls down as raindrops.