READ AND FIND OUT 

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Q1. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?

Answer: A book titled “The Travels of Monarch X” became a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life. The book, which told how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America, opened the world of science to him. It contained an invitation for readers to help study butterfly migrations, which sparked his interest in scientific research and led him to conduct various experiments.

Q2. How did his mother help him?

Answer: His mother was his only companion until he started school. She encouraged his interest in learning by taking him on trips and buying him scientific equipment like telescopes, microscopes, and cameras. She also found work for him if he had nothing to do, which helped him to keep his curiosity alive.

READ AND FIND OUT 

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Q1. What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?

Answer: When he does not win at the county science fair, he learns that science is not just about making a neat display. He realizes that the winners had tried to do “real experiments.” This experience inspires him to change his approach and focus on doing real, genuine experiments for future science fairs.

Q2. What experiments and projects does he then undertake?

Answer: For his eighth-grade project, he tried to find the cause of a viral disease that kills monarch caterpillars. In his second year of high school, he began research on the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa, which led to his discovery of an unknown insect hormone. He also grew cells from a monarch’s wing and showed that they would develop into normal butterfly wing scales if they were fed the hormone from the gold spots.

Q3. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?

Answer: The qualities that go into the making of a scientist are a first-rate mind, curiosity, and the will to win for the right reasons. Ebright’s social studies teacher, Mr. Weiherer, also mentions that he had the “extra effort” to succeed.

Think about it

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Q1. How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian…? Does it simply involve reading many books on the subject? Does it involve observing, thinking and doing experiments?

Answer: Becoming a scientist, economist, or historian involves much more than simply reading books. It requires a combination of reading, observation, critical thinking, and practical work. One must have a deep curiosity about a subject and be willing to ask questions, observe the world, and conduct experiments to find answers. In Ebright’s case, his scientific curiosity and his willingness to go beyond just collecting and displaying butterflies are what set him on the path to success.

Q2. You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied. If you get an opportunity to work like Richard Ebright on projects and experiments, which field would you like to work on and why?

Answer: Richard Ebright’s work on the hormone from the monarch pupa and the cell’s ability to “read” the blueprint of its DNA aligns with what we have studied in our science books. DNA is the substance in the nucleus of a cell that controls heredity and determines the form and function of the cell. Ebright’s theory on how a cell can “read” this blueprint is a major contribution to biology.

This is a personal question, and the answer will vary depending on the student’s interest. A possible answer could be:

If I had the opportunity to work on a project like Richard Ebright, I would like to work on the field of environmental science. I would be interested in studying how pollution affects marine life and what can be done to protect oceans and coral reefs. I am passionate about the environment, and I believe that this field offers a chance to make a real difference in the world.

Talk about it

Q1. Children everywhere wonder about the world around them. The questions they ask are the beginning of scientific inquiry. Given below are some questions that children in India have asked Professor Yash Pal and Dr Rahul Pal as reported in their book, Discovered Questions (NCERT, 2006). Can you answer these questions? You will find Professor Yash Pal’s and Dr Rahul Pal’s answers (as given in Discovered Questions) on page 75.

Answer: The textbook asks you to refer to the answers provided on page 75 of the book, which I have also included here for your reference.

(i) What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?

Answer: DNA exists as strands of bases that carry genetic information specific to each living thing. The sequence of bases of DNA in each of our cells is the same, but differs from that of any other living thing except possibly an identical twin. This difference makes the DNA break at different places when certain proteins called enzymes are added to it, resulting in smaller DNA fragments of different sizes. These fragments migrate at different rates in an electric field, resulting in a unique pattern; this pattern is referred to as a DNA fingerprint. DNA fingerprinting analysis is very useful in forensic science; from a single hair or a tiny spot of blood, it is possible to prove the innocence or guilt of a murder suspect.

(ii) How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?

Answer: Honeybees are very sophisticated at position location and navigation. They use the sun as a guide. They also appear to have a good memory. They convey the information of a new find of food to the hive through an amazingly clever dance language. The dance indicates the direction and distance of the food source with respect to the direction of the sun in the sky!

(iii) Why does rain fall in drops?

Answer: Rain is the result of condensation of vapour when the air is cooled below the dew point. All the vapour in a cloud cannot condense at the same time and turn into a large pool of water. Pockets of air move up independently and slowly cool till condensation begins and water droplets form.

Q2. You also must have wondered about certain things around you. Share these questions with your class, and try and answer them.

Answer: This is a personal and interactive activity, and the answer will vary depending on the student’s curiosity.