The Making of a Scientist Extra Questions and Answers

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The Making of a Scientist Extra Questions and Answers

By– Robert W. Peterson

The Making of a Scientist Author

American Robert W Peterson was a successful newspaper writer and later a freelance author of magazine articles. His authority came from his experience in sports, and writing on the topics of scouting. He died in 2006 due to lung cancer.

The Making of a Scientist Introduction

Richard H. Ebright is one of the leading scientists around. He has contributed significantly to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Richard collected butterflies, rocks, fossils and coins when he was little. He used to be an eager star-gazer. However, most of his adventures were on butterflies as he did many experiments during his school days that were a milestone in the world of science.

The Making of a Scientist Theme

The Making of a Scientist follows the journey of Richard H Ebright, his background and how he became a scientist. After the death of his father when he was just 10 years old, he was sent to boarding school. He consistently got top grades in school, even when he was still young. At a very early age, he had already collected 25 species of butterflies found around his hometown and at secondary school, after reading about monarch butterflies in one of his books; Ebright began to search for an unknown hormone in the gold spots on these butterflies. By the time he graduated from high school, at 17 years old, Ebright discovered how cells can read the blueprint encoded in DNA.

The Making of a Scientist Word Meaning

[PAGE 32] : Scout = member of an organisation excited = ecstatic cells = a very minute unit of living matter string = line kindergarten = school for children determination = firmness of purpose fossils= prehistoric remains astronomer = one who studies astronomy

[PAGE 33] : Curiosity = inquisitiveness telescopes = device to view far away objects microscopes = device to see very minute objects physical = relating to the body hairstreak = a butterfly species purplish = having purple colour Melissa = a butterfly species variegated = having lines of different colours crescent = shaped like the half moon hackberry = a butterfly species monarch = a butterfly species Ouch migrate = move from one place to the other collector = one who collects things Curiosity—eagerness, Encourage—to boost, Wall Interest—sense of concern, Trips- tour, Telescope— an instrument used to see distant objects, Microscope— an instrument used to study the microorganisms, Equipment— instrument, with toil Companion— fellow, Almost— nearly, Physical— involving the body, Species— biological group, Migrate— to move periodically, Central—near a centre, Collector – –amcremator

[PAGE 34] : Adhesive = sticky tagged = attached string chase = follow flock = group basement = caterpillar = larva of a butterfly pupa = early stage of a butterfly adult = fully grown development = growth gossamer-winged = having very thin wings eventually = tedious , tough, boring feedback = response recaptured = caught again gesarnb—systematic investigation, to establish facts, University—the body of faculty and students, Adhesive—sticking substance, Wing—movable organ for flying, Collect—to gather Chan-to follow, Flock—a group of birds, sheep, etc., Female monarch—female butterfly. Basement—cellar, Life cycle—stages through which a living organism passes, Adult— grown up, Stage— phase, Eventually— finally, Tedious—tiresome, Feedback— response to an experiment, etc., Recapture—retake,

[PAGE 35] : Slides = small thin glass strips tissues = mass of cells neat = clean display = show stack = many viral disease = disease caused by virus beetle = an insect copy = imitate starling = a bird probably = perhaps Tissue—part of an organism, Experiment—controlled test, Display—show or demonstration, Competitive—involving competition, Insect—small air-breathing anthropoid, Stack—push down list, Suggestion—idea, Project—planned undertaking, International—relating all countries, Cause—reason, Viral—caused by virus, Disease—ailment, Caterpillar—the larva of a butterfly or moth, Beetle—an insect, Result—outcome,viceroys—Viceroy kind of butterflies, Zoology—branch of biology that studies animals, Shall Division—section,

[PAGE 36] : Insect hormone = hormone of an insect tiny = small spots = marks assumed = thought ornamental = decorative excellent = superb device = an instrument entomology = science dealing with insects culture = a process of testing fed = gave food sophisticated = advanced identify = to know structure = construction puzzles = problems blueprint = basis Unknown—not known, Hormone—internal secretion, Indirectly—not in a forthright manner, Cell—building block of life, Purpose—aim, Spot—roundish mark, Assume—suppose, Ornamental—decorative, Device—instrument, Development—evolution, Entomology—the scientific study of insect, Laboratory—place to carry out experiments, Institute—an association organised to promote art or science, Advance—better, Senior—elderly, Scale—scurf, Graduation—academic exercise of conferring diploma, Department—section, Further—ahead Agriculture—husbandry, Sophisticated—complicated, Chemical—material produced by change in atoms, Structure—construction, Identify—to recognise, Photo—picture, Biology—branch of science dealing with living beings, Puzzle—problem, Blueprint—design, Substance-matter, Nucleus—centre, Control—power to direct, Heredity—generic endowment, Determine—decide, Function—working,

[PAGE 37] : Nucleus =centre heredity =coming from forefathers molecules = smallest units processes = methods preventing = hindering champion debater = superb in debates canoeist = sailor of a small boat exhibits = displays competitive = the spirit of competition ingredients = contents Molecule—simplest structural unit of an element or compound, Model—blueprint, Explain—describe, Researcher—one who performs a research, Towards—in the direction of, Understand—to comprehend, Process—procedure, Prevent—to forbid, Champion—champ, Debater—arguer, Canoeist—paddler, All-around—jack of all trades,Expert—specialist, Particularly—specifically, Straight—simple, Admire—praise, Adviser—consultant, Effort—attempt, Sense—meaning, Ingredient—component,

The Making of a Scientist Summary

Richard H. Ebright contributed significantly to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He also has been interested in science since his boyhood years. At the age of twenty-two, he excited the scientific world with a new theory. It was concerned with the working of cells, and it was published in the journal entitled “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.” His many achievements in the field of science started with his studies on “butterflies.”
Ebright was the only child of his parents. They lived in the north of Reading, Pennsylvania. Ebright had no companions there, and he was not a good player. However, Ebright’s hobby was collecting things. He began by collecting butterflies when he was in kindergarten; he also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He also became interested in star-gaping and astronomy at an early age.
Ebright’s mother recognized his curiosity, and she encouraged it. She took him on trips, which let him explore his interests. She bought him telescopes, microscopes, and other equipment to help foster his hobbies. Although Ebright’s mother was not there for him when he started school, she was a close friend of Ebright until her death.
Ebright was given educational tasks by his mother to keep him occupied, which stimulated a lifelong curiosity for learning. He would earn good grades in school and spent much of his free time collecting 25 species of butterflies in his hometown. His mother gifted him a children’s book that sparked an interest in science.
That book was ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. It described how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book fascinated him. In the conclusion of the book, readers were invited to help study butterfly migrations by tagging them with a tag and sending it to Dr Frederick A. Urquhart of Toronto University in Canada to research migration behaviours.
If you want to catch many butterflies, you will need to raise a whole group at one time by catching a female monarch and taking her eggs. He would raise them in his basement from egg to caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly then he would tag the butterflies’ wings and let them go.
However, Ebright soon began to lose interest in tagging butterflies. The reason was that he received no feedback. He became a little disappointed after only two butterflies had been recaptured. These two were found only 75 miles from where he lived. By the time Ebright reached Junior High school, he got busy with other scientific experiments.
He didn’t win any prizes at the science fair. He realised that winners had done actual real experiments while he only showed slides of frog tissues. He decided to do more research in his favorite area, which was insects and had already been doing work on them.
Ebright emailed Dr Urquhart with experiments he should do, and in response, the famous scientist gave Ebright many suggestions. These experiments kept him busy throughout high school. He won prizes in the county and international science fairs because of his eighth grade project where he tried to find the cause of a viral disease that killed all the monarch caterpillars by raising them in the presence of beetles.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get any meaningful results from his experiment. He showed his project in the science fair, but he still won first place in the zoology division and third overall at the county science fair. The following year his science experiment was to conduct a study on whether viceroy butterflies imitate monarchs since hungry birds dislike eating them. Viceroys evolved to mimic monarchs so they are less likely to be eaten by hungry birds.
Ebright’s discovery of an unknown insect hormone is connected to his new theory on the life of cells, where he is trying to answer a very simple question: What are the gold spots on a monarch pupa for? He created a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone. This project was what won him first place in the county fair, and his entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair, which he went on to win third place in. His work with Walter Reed Army Institute led to many other opportunities.
Ebright’s interest in butterflies never faded. As a high school junior, he continued his experiments on the monarch pupa. His project won first place at the International Science Fair. In his senior year, he grew cells from a monarch’s wing in a culture and was able to show that the cells would divide and develop into normal butterfly wing scales only if they were fed the hormone from their gold spots. That project took first place for zoology at the International Fair. He later worked at an army lab and at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s laboratory, where he ultimately identified the chemical structure of the hormone that causes these cells to mature into proper wing scales.
He saw data on an X-ray photo of a cell and got the idea for his new theory. The photos provided him with what he needed to explain one of biology’s puzzles: how cells can ‘read’ their blueprints. DNA is the substance in the nucleus that controls heredity, and it is what creates life as we know it. By constructing plastic models and drawing pictures, Ebright and his friend James R Wong figured out how this could happen.
Harvard graduate Richard Ebright is a researcher at Harvard Medical School. He used structures data to experiment and start up a theory. The framework might lead to new prevention ideas for some types of cancer and other diseases.
As a champion debater and public speaker, Jerry Ebright developed other interests like canoeing and photography. He also became an expert of nature and scientific exhibits.
Ebright’s social studies teacher, Richard Weiherer, said about Ebright that he opened his mind to new ideas. Further, Richard A. Weiherer also spoke highly of Ebright about his interests. He won because he wanted to do the best job – he told us that Ebright was competitive, but not in a bad sense. Ebright had those traits which are necessary for making a scientist – namely, this person has a first-rate mind and is curious.

The Making of a Scientist Short Summary

1.Theory on How Cells Work: Richard Ebright, while a college student, made a new discovery about how cells work and collaborated with his roommate to publish their findings. This was the first time that the prestigious ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Science’ published work by undergraduate students. Richard Ebright credited his first achievement in science to his interest in butterflies.
2.Fond of Collecting Butterflies: When Richard Ebright was in kindergarten, he started to collect butterflies. He also likes collecting, rocks, fossils and coins. He became an eager astronomer and likes to spend hours watching stars.
3.Mother Encouraged Interest in Learning: As a child, Richard enjoyed the help his mother provided. His mother introduced him to new interests, including science and geology, as she would buy him microscopes and other materials. When he was nine years old, his father died. Together with her son, they spent every evening at the dining table and talked about interesting topics. He earned top grades in school and knew all 25 species of butterflies found around his home town by the time he reached grade two. His mother bought him a children’s book called “The Travels of Monarch X” which opened up a new world to him: science.
4.Tagging Butterflies: The book asked readers to participate in a butterfly tracking project. Readers were asked to tag monarchs for research by Dr Frederick A Urquhart, who runs a lab at the University of Toronto. Ebright started raising butterflies as an experiment in his basement. He found that just female monarchs laid eggs, so he raised them through their entire life cycle.
5.County Science Fair: In the seventh grade, Ebright entered the County Science Fair but lost. Though he felt sad from not being able to validate his project, it motivated him to prove himself. The next year, Ebright wanted to test the theory that viceroy butterflies only look like monarchs because monarchs taste bad to birds.
The projects that Ebright has entered have won him many prizes. The first project he entered was about how viceroy butterflies taste good to birds and it placed second in the zoology division and third overall. Next, he got a gold spot on his monarch pupa and this project was awarded first place at the County Fair and an entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair.
6.Theory about Cell Life: he explanation for life is the RNA is not only a blueprint for protein synthesis and storage. DNA, the substance in the nucleus of cells that controls heredity and is the blueprint of life.
7.Other Interests: Richard Ebright became a public speaker and expert photographer, as well as a debater. He learned all these skills through time in his classes with his social studies teacher, Mr Weiherer.
8.Competitive— Richard Ebright was competitive but not in a bad sense. He wanted to be the best, and he had aspects of mind that would make him good at science. His openness to learning possible scientific knowledge made him successful. In the book The Travels of Monarch X, his curiosity was opened up to the world of science and he never lost his curiosity.

Main Points of the Story The Making of a Scientist

Richard H Ebright realized a new theory on cells when he was just twenty-two years old.
The butterflies that started Richard’s science career
Ebright collected butterflies with his friend when he was in kindergarten.
The interest in learning encourages his mother.
How a grandmother’s love and investment helped her grandson become a scientist
This story reveals what it was like to grow up without a father
When Richard Ebright was in the second grade, he collected twenty-five species of butterflies.
His mother gifted him a children’s book called The Travels of Monarch X
Twenty-two-year-old Richard H. Ebright showed the world a new theory on cells.
Evolutionary biologist Richard Lewontin
What 5th grader Trent Ebright collected when he was younger
His Mum encouraged his love for learning
9 Scientific Instruments You Should Own
How his mother motivated him
In the second grade, Richard Ebright collected twenty-five butterfly species.
Monarch X in the children’s book and why it was important
The book opened the world of science for Richard Ebright by describing how monarchs migrate to Central America.
he received tagged butterflies to give to Dr Urquhart with information about their migration
Ebright tagged the butterflies’ wings and sent them to Urquhart.
In his seventh grade year, he attended the County Science Fair and lost.
In this article, he also describes how he wrote to Dr Urquhart for new ideas and received many suggestions for experiments.
David’s first project as a scientist was to test the theory that viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies.
This project won top prize in the zoology division, and third place overall.
When Richard Ebright was 16, he discovered an unknown insect hormone.
He and his friend discovered that tiny gold spots on butterflies produce hormones which are necessary for butterfly development.
This project won first place in the County Fair and was accepted into the International Science and Engineering Fair.
He grew cells from a monarch butterfly’s wing in a culture.
Knowing how to identify a chemical begins with an understanding of ions
He showed how the cell can read its own DNA.
Richard Ebright graduated from Harvard with highest honours, second out of 1, 516
Ebright had time for other interests too.
He was a champion debater, a good canoeist, and an expert photographer.
Richard Ebright respects his social studies teacher, Richard A Weiherer. He states that Mr. Weiherer opened his mind to new ideas.
Richard Ebright wanted to be the best.
The story of Monarch X’s travels confirmed his love for the natural sciences and never went away.
How Ebright identified gonadotropin releasing hormone
The cell reads the blueprint of it’s DNA, which is the blueprint for life.
Richard Ebright graduated from Harvard with highest honours, second in his class of 1, 516.
Ebright had time for other interests too.
A champion debater turned inventor of new technologies
Richard Ebright was made more knowledgeable by his social studies teacher when he was a student, Richard Weiherer, who opened his mind to new ideas.
Richard Ebright desired to be the best. But he was actually not an aggressive competitor.
Monarch X, who has seen the world with the opening of his eyes. He has always been scientifically curious because of his early exploration.

The Making of a Scientist MCQ

Which theory is discovered by Ebright?

(A) how cells work (B) how motion works

Ans. (A) how cells work

Richard H. Ebright was famous :

(A) singer (B) scientist

Ans. (B) scientist

What did Ebright start collecting in childhood?

(A) butterflies (B) rocks

Ans. (D) all of the above

Who encouraged Ebright in his interest in learning?

(A) his mother (B) his father

Ans. (A) his mother

Which was Ebright’s home town?

(A) London (B) Liverpool

Ans. (C) Reading

Ebright tried to grow caterpillars in the presence of :

(A) betties (B) snakes

Ans. (A) betties

According to Ebright what was required for winning a prize in the science fair?

(A) real experiment (B) mere display of things

Ans. (A) real experiment

Which of the following is a type of butterflies?

(A) viceroy (B) monarch

Ans. (C) both (A) and (B)

Which butterflies were not eaten by birds?

(A) viceroy (B) monarch

Ans. (B) monarch

Which book did Ebright’s mother give him to?

(A) Travels of Monarch X (B) Travels of Ebright

Ans. (A) Travels of Monarch X

Ebright took part in county…………… fair.

(A) handicraft (B) science

Ans. (B) science

Ebright is an expert………….

(A) scientist (B) debator

Ans. (D) all of the above

Ebright graduated from :

(A) Harvard (B) London

Ans. (A) Harvard

At what grade did Richard get a hint of what real science is?

(A) fourth grade (B) fifth grade

Ans. (D) seventh grade

Who did Richard write for an idea of a real science experiment?

(A) his mother (B) Dr Frederick A. Urquhart

Ans. (B) Dr Frederick A. Urquhart

Which of the following is a part of the life cycle of butterflies?

(A) egg (B) caterpillar

Ans. (D) all of the above

The Making of a Scientist Extract Based Questions

1. So he wrote to Dr Urquhart for ideas. and back Cattle a stack of suggestions for experiments, The kept Bright busy all lining high school and led to prize projects in the county and inter atonal science taws, tail man ass or, Newt’s response.

(a) What happened ‘‘ Ebright acted up the ‘ideas”?

(b) Why did Bright wine to Dr Urquhart?

(c)Mat initiated Bright in the field at’ scientific research?

Ans. (a) Dr Urquhart responded with some experiments.

(b) Dwight kept himself busy in high school, both in classroom and outside activities. He participated heavily in projects around county, state and international science fairs.

(d) Bright was first mentioned when he started tagging the butterflies that migrated with Dr A. Urquhart.

2. Eventually, I began to lose interest in tagging butterflies. It’s tedious and there’s not much feedback,’ Bright said. -In all the time I did it,” he laughed, “only two butterflies I had tagged were recaptured-and they were not more than seventy-five miles from where I lived.

(a)’ Why did Bright lose interest?

(b) Explain the phrase. ‘they were not seventy-five miles’.

(d) What theory was given by him to the scientific world?

Ans. (a) Bright lost interest because it was a tedious job with less feedback.

(b) The phrase is used ironically in this sentence, because butterflies migrated a short distance of 75 miles and they could not migrate to central America.

(d) He gave his new theory about cell life.

3. Ebright has these qualities. From the time the book. The Travels of Monarch X opened the world of science to him. Richard Ebright has never lost his scientific curiosity.

(a) Which qualities does Ebright have?

(b) Who gave him ‘The Travels of Monarch X’?

(d) How did Ebright come in contact with Dr Urquhart?

Ans. (a) Ebright was very curious and had enough willpower to win for the right reason.

(b) His mother gave him the book.

(c) The ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ is what gave Dr Urquhart the inspiration to initiate scientific research on butterflies.

(d) This happened through the book, ‘The Travels of’ Monarch X’.

4. Beginning in kindergarten, Ebright collected butterflies with the same determination that has marked all his activities. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He became an eager astronomer, too, sometimes star-gazing all night.

(a) What was Ebright’s lionizing in kindergarten’?

(b) What was Ebright’s approach towards the activity?

(d) Do you think Ebright became an eager astronomer too?

Ans. (a) Beginning in kindergarten he used to collect butterflies, rocks.

(b) His approach towards the activity one of determination.

(d) Sometimes, he gazed at the stars throughout the night.

5.by the time he was in second grade, Ebright had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown!’

(a) How many species of butterflies had Ebright collected?

(b) Who is the person who kept Ebright engaged in learning things?

(d) How did Ebright’s mother help him?

Ans. (a) Twenty-five species.

(b) His mother.

(d) His mother supported him and helped him with his love of astronomy by buying him all the necessary equipment, bringing him on trips, and helping work with him at the end of each day.

6. So the more they look like monarchs, the less likely they are to become a bird’s dinner.

(a) Who are ‘they’ referred to here?

(b) Why are they less likely to become a bird’s dinner?

(d) Why do you think a visit to a science fair helped. Richard to become a great scientist?

Ans. (a) The viceroy butterflies are referred to here.

(b) Viceroy butterflies copy the monarchs, as monarchs apparently do not taste good to birds.

(d) Doing experiments was a way to become a great scientist. He learned this by doing his own experiment at the science fair.

The Making of a Scientist Characters

1.Richard H Ebright

A multifaceted genius; a great scientist, debater, canoeist, etc.
Collected butterflies since childhood
Worked on monarch butterflies, the cell and its DNA
Inspired by his mother, Dr Urquhart and his teacher RA Weiherer

2.Richard H Ebright’s Mother

Encouraged and inspired Ebright’s interest in learning
Bought him instruments, cameras; his only companions
Got him the book The Travels of Monarch X that changed Richard Ebright’s life

3. Dr Urquhart

Famous for work on monarch butterflies
Taught at University of Toronto, Canada
Helped Ebright with new ideas and suggestions

4. Richard A Weiherer

Social Studies teacher of Ebright
Respected and admired by Ebright
Turned Ebright’s energy towards the Debating and Model United Nations clubs.

The Making of a Scientist Questions and Answers

1. Which project did Albright submit in his eighth grade? Why did he win?

Ans. For his eighth grade science project, he conducted several experiments and trials on caterpillars in order to try to figure out the cause of a virus that had affected monarch caterpillars. He tried raising them in the presence of beetles but this did not produce any results so he decided to go ahead with the experiment anyway and showed it at a science fair where it won him a prize.

2.’Richard was the focus of his mother’s attention”. Compose a thesis on this.

Ans. Richard’s father died when he was three years old. He was very close to his mother, who encouraged him to learn and be creative with his interests. She would take him on trips, buy him telescopes, and spoil him with cameras. She also bought a book so Richard could spend more time reading about how to become an explorer like his father.

3. What made in light straight. A grade pit dint in it-hoot?

Ans. Ebright was a lanky boy who itched for the days that he could go outside and play with nothing on his mind. He loved photography, even going so far as to showing his work around- he won many prizes for his science fairs. He had already picked apart DNA’s blueprints, which, made him stand out among his school peers. Ebright was a grade student with a passion for outdoor hobbies and photography.

4. Comment on the role of Mr Weathered in Albright’s life,

Who were the important people in Albright’s life? Why

Ans. Ebright’s mother who encouraged him as a child and Dr Frederick A. Urquhart O. had inspired him to study about butterflies were quite important in Albright’s life, Also, Ridded A Weathered, Albright’s Social Studies teacher opened Albright’s mind to new ideas and praised him for his handwork and indomitable spirit.

5. Why did Ebright lose interest in tagging butterflies?

Ans. Albright lost interest in tagging butterflies because it was a tedious work that did not provide much feedback.

6. Identify four values which Richard Ebright projected as a man of substance.

Ans. Ebright was not only a good scientist but also a keen observer. He was good sea champion debater and a public speaker. He was an expert photographer, particularly of woo and scientific exhibits.

7. Which project of Ebright won first prize in the county science fair?

Ans.

John Ebright, who didn’t win anything in his first science fair, found that experimentation alone was not enough. He started winning other prizes only after teaming up with a friend who was also a scientist. They constructed a device that showed why the tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa are essential for the butterfly’s full development- this project won first prize in the county science fair and third prize in zoology in international science fair.

8. What all hobbies did Albright develop in kindergarten?

Ans. As a child, Ebright had a driving curiosity. He was interested in learning new things. He was good in studies and earned top grades in the class. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He became an eager astronomer too.

9. How did Richard’s mother help him to become a scientist?

How did Ebright’s mother help in his learning?

Ans. Ebright had a driving curiosity and a bright brain — essential ingredients for becoming a scientist. His mother encouraged him to learn more. She exposed him to the world around him by taking him to trips, bought him books, telescope, microscope, cameras, mounting materials and other equipment, which helped him in his learning.

10.”Science shows a connection between structure and function.” Show this to be so, for the spots Albright saw on Monarch pupas.

Ans. Ebright grew cells from a monarch’s wing to show that cells could divide and develop into a normal butterfly wing scales only if they were fed with the hormones from the gold spots, Later, he identified the chemical structure of the hormone and found how cells can read the blueprints of its DNA.

11. How can Albright’s theory of cell life be a revolution in the medical field if it is proved correct?

Ans. Ebright identified the chemical structure of the gold spot hormone and found so cells can read the blueprint of its DNA. To further test his theory, he began doing experiments’ if it proves correct it will be a big step towards understanding the process of life. It might lead to new ideas for preventing some types of cancer and diseases.

12. What were the factors which contributed to making Ebright a scientist?

What are the essential qualities for becoming a scientist, according to Albright’s teacher?

Ans. Sharp brain, d y observant, anal tic mind, driving curiosity, the keen interest in the subject and strong will for the right cause are some of the essentials for the making of a scientist. He should not run after prizes, have a competitive spirit but not in a bad sense.

13. What results are expected if Richard Ebright’s theory is proved correct?

Ans. If Richard Ebright’s theory proves to be correct, it will be a big step towards understanding the processes of life. It might lead to new ideas for preventing some types of cancer and other diseases.

14. Why did Richard Ebright tag a flock of butterflies?

Why did Richard Ebright start a project of tagging the butterflies?

Ans. Once Ebright’s mother bought him a book .’The Travels of Monarch X’. At the end of the hook, the writer Dr A. Urquhart had invited the readers to help him in the study of butterfly migration by tagging them. So he started tagging the butterflies.

15. Describe Richard Ebright’s childhood.

How did Ebright spend his time in Pennsylvania?

Ans. Ebright grew up north of Reading, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of his parents. His father died when he was in third grade. As a child, he was good in studies and also collected rocks, fossils and coins.

16. How did the hook become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?

Ans. Once his mother bought the book. ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. At the end of the book, Dr A. Urquhart had invited readers to help him study the migration of monarch butterflies by tagging them. This became a turning point in his life.

17. Mention any two of Ebright’s contributions to the world of science.

Ans. He carried experiments to prove successfully that hormone produced by the gold spots of a pupa is responsible for the growth and formation of butterfly-wings. He also discovered how a cell could read the blueprint of its DNA that controls heredity.

Q.18. To which field of science has Richard H. Ebright contributed? [H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-A)]

Ans. Richard H. Ebright is one of the leading scientists. He had been interested in science since his boyhood. He has contributed significantly to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Q.19. What were the hobbies of Ebright in his childhood?

Ans. Ebright’s hobby was collecting things. Ebright was fascinated by butterflies. He started collecting butterflies in kindergarten. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He also became a star-gazer and an eager astronomer.

Q20. How did Ebright’s mother help him in his hunger for learning?

Ans. Ebright’s mother would find work for Richie if he had nothing to do. She found learning tasks for him. He had a great hunger for learning. He earned top grades in school. By the time he was in second grade, he had collected 25 species of butterflies.

Q.21. Which book did Ebright’s mother give him? How did this book change his life?

Ans. One day Ebright’s mother gave him a children’s book. That book was ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. It described how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book fascinated him. This book stimulated his interest in butterflies. He devoted his time to the study of butterflies and won many prizes. In this way, this book changed his life.

Q.22. What did Ebright realize when he started tagging butterflies?

Ans. Ebright started tagging monarch butterflies. He realized that chasing the butterflies one by one won’t enable him to each many. So he decided to raise a flock of butterflies.

Q.23. How did Ebright raise a flock of butterflies?

Ans. Ebright would catch a female monarch and take her eggs. He would raise them in his basement, from egg to caterpillar, to pupa to adult butterfly. Then he would tag the butterflies’ s’ ‘ and let them.

Q.24. Why did Ebright begin to lose interest in tagging butterflies?

Ans. Ebright began to lose interest in tagging butterflies. The reason was that there was no feedback. He was a little disappointed as only two butterflies had been recaptured. And they had been found not more than seventy-five miles from where he lived.

Q.25. What happened with Ebright when he entered a county science fair for the first time?

Ans. He entered a county science fair Ebright for the first time. His entries were slides of frog tissues. But he did not win any prize.

Q.26. What did Ebright realize when he did not win any prize in the county science fair?

Ans. He realised that the winners had tried to do real experiments. So he decided to do further research in his favourite field, that is, insects on which he had already been doing work.

Q.27. What happened when Ebright wrote to Dr Urquhart for ideas?

Ans. Ebright wrote to Dr Urquhart for ideas. In reply, the famous scientist gave him many suggestions for experiments. These experiments kept Ebright busy all through high school. He also won many prizes in the county and international science fairs.

Q.28. Why do the viceroy butterflies imitate the monarch butterflies?

Ans. In one of his science fair projects, he tested the theory that viceroy butterflies imitate monarchs. He reached the conclusion that viceroys look like monarchs because birds do not find monarchs tasty. They like to eat viceroy butterflies. By copying monarchs, the viceroys escape being eaten by birds.

Q.29. Which simple question led to the discovery of an unknown insect hormone?

Q.30. What did Ebright discover about the spots on a monarch butterfly’s pupa?

Ans. Ebright tried to find out that what was the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch butterfly’s pupa. To find the answer Ebright and another student built a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone. It was necessary for the butterfly’s full development.

Q.31. What idea did Ebright get when he was looking at the X-ray photos of cells?

Q32. How did Richard Ebright excite the scientific world at the age of twenty-two?

Ans.

Richard Ebright came up with a new theory on how cells functioned at the age of 22. His article, “What We Yet Know …” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, an esteemed scientific journal that publishes work by experts. This article was published before Ebright and his college friend graduated from college.

Q33. “… There was one thing I could do —collect things.” What did Richard Ebright do in his childhood?

Ans.

Richard Ebright was the only child of his parent, he lived in a confined town. Richard said he would research for differences and collect things that he found different and unique to him. He started collecting butterflies at 5 years old and by second grade had found all the types of butterflies that existed around the town, rocks, fossils and coins.

Q34. “Richie was my whole life after his father died …,” said Richard’s mother. Describe Richard Ebright’s relationship with his mother.

Ans. Richard was in third grade when his father died. He was her mother’s whole life and her only companion until he started school. She and Richard spent almost every evening at the dining table. She found work for him and Richard wanted to learn. His mother encouraged his interest in learning.

Q35.How did Richard Ebright’s mother be a source of inspiration and encouragement in his quest for learning?

Ans.

Richard Ebright is a fortunate man to have had his father taken away early in life. Though this took away some privilege that many children take for granted, his mother had the foresight to compensate for her son’s loss by encouraging his interest in learning and providing him with necessary tools.

Q36. What book opened the world of science to the eager young collector, Richard Ebright?

Ans.

Richard Ebright was a keen collector, and by the time he reached grade two he had collected 25 species of butterfly from his hometown. However, The Travels of Monarch X, a children’s book his mother gifted to him, changed the way he saw collecting for good. The book details how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America and back every year.

Q37. Why and where did Richard Ebright send the tagged butterflies?

Ans. At the end of the book, The Travels of Monarch X, readers were invited to help study monarch butterflies’ migration. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr Urquhart. Soon, Richard Ebright was attaching light adhesive tags to the wings of monarch butterflies. He used to send them to Dr Urquhart for his research work.

Q38. How did Ebright’s basement become home to thousands of monarch butterflies?

Ans.

Richard Ebright used to send tagged monarch butterflies to Dr Urquhart for his research. However, he found it too difficult to chase the butterflies individually and capture many in a day. So, he decided to raise some of them in his basement – turning it into a home for thousands of monarch butterflies.

Q39. When and how did Richard Ebright get a hint of what real science is?

Ans. When Richard Ebright was in 7th grade, he entered a county science fair. He lost and did not win anything. It was a very sad feeling for young Richard. In contrast to the winners who had actually done experiments instead of making neat displays like himself, he failed because he simply made a neat display.

Q40.Who was Dr Frederick A Urquhart? Why did Richard Ebright look to him for fresh ideas?

Ans. Dr. Urquhart was an integral part of Richard Ebright’s work in tag-releasing on butterfly migrations. He helped provide unique ideas and suggestions, which allowed him to win many prizes at science fairs.

Q41. Why do viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies? What reasons did Richard Ebright give in this regard?

Ans. Richard Ebright’s projects was to test the theory that viceroys copied monarch butterflies for protection. Viceroys looked like monarchs becausemonarchs tasted bad to birds. Viceroys, on the other hand, tasted good to birds. So, they try to copy and look like them to protect themselves from birds.

Q42.Were twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa just ornamental? What did Richard Ebright prove in this regard? What honours did this project bring to Richard Ebright?

Ans. Many thought that the twelve gold spots on a monarch pupa were just ornamental. But Dr Urquhart didn’t believe it. Richard built a device that showed that the spots were producing a very important hormone. That hormone was necessary for the butterfly’s full development.

Q43. What lesson did Richard Ebright learn when he didn’t win anything at the County Science Fair?

Ans. Richard Ebright had an experience with a County Science Fair when he sent his first project. He had not won anything, and it was a very disappointing feeling for him. But he realized that he would have to do real experiments to be a winner. His project that he only showed slides of frog tissues under a microscope didn’t work because he should have done real experiments and that is what real science is all about.

Q44. How did Richard Ebright grow cells from a monarch butterfly’s wing? What did that project win for Ebright?

Ans. Richard Ebright continued his journey farther. He grew cells from a monarch’s wing in a culture. He showed that cells could divide and develop into normal butterfly wing scales. They must be fed from the hormone received from the gold spots. This project won first place of zoology at the International Fair.

Q45. How and where did Richard Ebright identify the hormone’s chemical structure?

Ans. After his freshman year at Harvard University, Ebright went back to the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. He did more work on the hormones of the gold spots. Using sophisticated instruments there, he was able to identify the hormone’s chemical structure.

Q46. How did Richard Ebright give an answer to one of the biology’s puzzles—how the cell can read the blueprint of its DNA?

Ans. When Richard Ebright saw a series of X-ray pictures of the chemical structure of a hormone and how it binds to DNA, he didn’t shout “Eureka!” or say “I’ve got it!” Instead, he was certain that this had given him the answer to one of biology’s puzzles: how cells can read the blueprint inside their DNA. DNA is the substance in the nucleus of a cell which controls heredity and is responsible for forming the blueprint for life.

Q47.Richard Ebright was a famous scientist but he had time for other interests too. What were the other interests and hobbies of Ebright?

Ans. Richard Ebright’s journey as a scientist started since he first began collecting butterflies. However, he found time for other interests and hobbies too. He became a champion debater and public speaker. He was a good canoeist. He was also an expert photographer. He excelled in photographing nature and scientific exhibits.

Q48.Why did Richard Ebright admire his teacher Richard A Weiherer?

Ans. Richard Ebright had great respect and admiration for his Social Studies teacher. He was Richard’s adviser to the Debating and Model United Nations Clubs. Richard A Weiherer was the perfect person for Ebright who opened his minds to new ideas.

Q49.What was Richard A Weiher’s opinion of his student Richard, Ebright?

How did Richard A Weiherer, the Social Studies teacher of Ebright, judge him?

Ans. Richard A. Weiherer saw Thomas Ebright as a man of varied interests. In addition to his interest in debate, Mr. Ebright was researching butterflies and other topics. He had a competitive spirit that led him to strive to be the best in everything he did.

Q50.Did Richard Ebright have all the ingredients that are necessary for the making of a scientist? Give a reasoned answer.

Assess Richard Ebright as a scientist.

Ans. Additionally, Richard Ebright had all of the important qualities required for a great scientist. He had an excellent mind and always scored first in school. At Harvard, he was second in class out of 1510. He was curious about ‘why’ and otherwise how things functioned. Finally, he was competitive and wanted to be the best. He had the will to win for the right reasons.

The Making of a Scientist Long Question Answer

1.’Success is failure turned inside out’. Prove the above statement with instances from the journey taken by Richard Albright from losing at the science fair to winning at the international fair.

Ans. Success is the fruit of failure. It never comes straight but through failure. This can be seen in the life of Richard Albright. Although he earned top grades in school, on everyday things he was just like every other kid. He faced many failures in his life but every failure strengthened his will to succeed. When he was in seventh grade he participated in County Science Fair with his slides of frog tissues. But he could not win a prize. This made him determined to win the prize and in his eighth grade, he again participated in the science fair with the experiment of viral disease in monarch caterpillars and won the prize. The very next Year he participated with his experiment of whether viceroy butterflies copy the monarch butterflies in order to save their life from the birds and this project won Albright, third prize in overall county science fair.

His experiment regarding gold spots of monarch liar which he built a device that showed. That the spots produced hormones necessary for the full development of butterflies won third prize in international science and engineering fair.

Next year his advanced experiments on the monarch pupa won him first place at the international science fair. Thus, for Richard Albright, we can say that success is failure turned inside out.

2. How does Richard Albright become a scientist?

Ans. Richard Ebright had been a curious child even when he was in kindergarten. His curiosity prompted him to collect rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. His mother’s encouragement and his bright mind also contributed to making him a success. His mother got him all that he needed to develop his scientific bent of mind. His response to Dr Fredrick A. Urquhart to collect butterflies for his research gave him an opportunity in his endeavours. Then in the seventh grade, he got a hint of what real science is when he entered a country science fair and lost. He realized that winners had tried to do real experiments, not simply make a neat display. Thereafter, Ebright worked sincerely on every science project he got every year in school. Then he stood first in a county fair that gave him entry into international science and engineering fair where he won third place. He then went on to win the highest honours and graduated from Harvard. His high school research into the purpose of the spots on a monarch pupa eventually led him to his theory about cell life. Thus he became a renowned scientist.

3.”Richard Ebright was a successful scientist who gave a new theory of cells to the scientific world.” Elucidate.

Ans. Ebright tried experiments on butterflies for a science fair. In his project, in the second year of high school, he tried to explain the purpose of twelve tiny gold spots on a Monarch pupa. He found out that those spots produced a hormone necessary for the full development of a butterfly. He continued with his experiments even after graduation using sophisticated instruments of the university. He discovered the chemical structure of the hormone. He came across his new theory of cell life. It gave an answer to one of the questions — “How a cell can read the blueprint of DNA.“

4. Ebright’s backbone was his mother. How did she contribute to his learning? What kind of work did she find for him even at the dining table? What values did Ebright imbibe from his mother?

Discuss the role of Ebright’s mother in making him a scientist.

Ans. Ebright’s mother played a key role in making him an influential scientist. She encouraged him to learn new things. Every evening, she and her son worked together at the dining table. If Ebright had nothing to do, she would find his work—learning work. He was an eager learner, liked learning, and he got `A’ grades throughout his schooling. His mother also bought him a book that opened the world of science to him: The Travels of Monarch X which made it possible for her to become an influential scientist with her son by sustaining his interest in science.

Q.5. How did Ebright’s mother encourage him to become a scientist?

Ans. Ebright’s mother encouraged his curiosity and explored those interests with him. She bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, and other equipment so that he could follow his interests. His mother was Ebright’s friend until he started going to school. If he had nothing to do she would bring home friends or find work for him. Ebright’s mother found learning tasks for Ebright and he earned top grades in school by the time he was in second grade. One day his mother gave him a children’s book about science and it opened the world to him of science.

Q.6. Which book proved to be a turning point in Ebright’s life?

Ans. Ebright’s mom gave him a book called ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. The story is about readers following monarch butterflies as they migrate to Central America. At the end of the story, deere invites readers to help with research by tagging butterflies and sending the tags to Dr Frederick in Canada. Ebright decided that catching one butterfly at at time won’t be enough, so he raised a flock.

Q7. What experiments did Ebright do about monarch butterflies?

Ans. Ebright wrote to Dr Frederick for ideas. In reply, the famous scientist gave him many suggestions for experiments. These experiments kept Ebright busy all through high school. He also won many prizes in the county and international science fairs. Ebright tried to find the cause of a viral disease that killed all monarch caterpillars. He thought the disease might be carried by a beetle. He tried raising caterpillars in the presence of beetles. But he didn’t get any real results. But he showed his experiment in the science fair and won. The next year his science fair project was testing the theory that viceroy butterflies imitate monarchs. By copying monarchs, the viceroys escape being eaten by birds. This project was placed first in the zoology division and third overall in the county science fair.

Q.8. How did Ebright discover an unknown insect hormone?

Ans. In his second year in high school, Ebright’s research led to his discovery of an unknown insect hormone. Indirectly, it led to his new theory on the life of cells. He tried to answer a very simple question. What is the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa? To prove Ebright and one other student built a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone. It was necessary for the butterfly’s full development. This project won Ebright first place in the county fair and entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair. There he won third place for zoology.

Q.9. How did Ebright get the idea for his new theory about cell life? How can this theory be beneficial?

Ans. One day, Ebright was seeing the X-ray photos of the chemical structure of cells. He got the idea for his new theory about cell life. Those photos provided him with the answer to one of biology’s puzzles: how the cell can ‘read’ the blueprint of its DNA. DNA is the substance in the nucleus of a cell that controls heredity. It is the blueprint for life. Ebright and his college room-mate James R. Wong drew pictures and constructed plastic models of molecules to show how it could happen. At the Harvard Medical School, Ebright began experimenting to test his theory. If the theory proves correct, it will be a big step towards understanding life processes. It might also lead to new ideas for preventing some types of cancer and other diseases.

Q10. Give a character sketch of Richard Ebright highlighting his achievements and his added interests.

Ans. Richard H Ebright was a many-faceted genius. He was a competent scientist, a lovable son, a respecting pupil and above all, a man with varied interests and hobbies. But first and foremost, he was a scientist. His fame rests on his wonderful works and achievement on butterflies. By the time he was in the second grade, Ebright collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around in his hometown. Ebright was a great learner. He learnt an important lesson at his first county science fair. He learnt that winners do real experiments than making a neat display. The book, Travels of Monarch X opened the world of science to the eager young collector. One of his famous projects was based on the theory that viceroy butterflies copied monarch butterflies to escape being eaten by birds. This project was placed first in the zoology division. Later, Ebright showed that the spots on a monarch pupa produced a hormone necessary for the butterfly’s development. He also proved that DNA controls heredity and is the blueprint for life.

Richard Ebright got all his encouragement, help and inspiration from his mother. He was her only companion and they spent almost every evening at the dining table. She encouraged his interest in learning. She bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras and other instruments for him. Dr Urquhart helped him with new suggestions and ideas. His Social Studies teacher, Richard A Weiherer, opened his mind to new ideas and made him competitive.

Richard Ebright was more than a scientist. He found time for other interests and hobbies. He was a champion debater and public speaker. He was a good canoeist and an expert photographer. He had a first-rate mind, competitive spirit and scientific curiosity.

Q11. Describe Richard Ebright’s various achievements in science, particularly his great work on the monarch butterflies. Who did Ebright look to for getting fresh ideas and suggestions?

Ans. Richard Ebright had all the necessary ingredients that are required in the making of a scientist. He had a first-rate mind, was competitive and had the will to win. Above all, he was a great collector and never lost his scientific curiosity. His scientific journey started very early. While he was still in the second grade, he had collected all the species of butterflies found around his hometown. The Travels of Monarch X was the book that changed his life. It opened the world of science to the eager collector. His failure at his first county science fair taught him an important lesson. He learnt that winners do real experiments. One of the most important projects of Richard Ebright was to prove that viceroy butterflies try to look like monarch butterflies. They do so to avoid being eaten by birds. Ebright also proved that twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa produced a hormone that was necessary for the butterfly’s full development. His other project won first place for zoology at the International Fair. It showed that if cells are fed the hormone from the gold spots, they can develop into normal butterfly wing scales. The crowning achievement of Ebright’s brilliant scientific career was his work on the chemical structure of a hormone. He proved that a cell can read the blueprint of its DNA and thus DNA controls heredity and is the blueprint for life.

Richard Ebright looked to Dr Urquhat for fresh ideas and suggestions. The book, The Travels of Monarch X, opened the world of science to him. He sent tagged butterflies to Dr Urquhart for his research works. Dr Urquhart’s new ideas and suggestions helped Ebright to achieve prizes and honours in the county and International Science Fairs.

Q12. How did The Travels of Monarch X open the world of science to Richard Ebright? Elaborate.

Ans. It is absolutely true that the book called The Travels of Monarch X changed the very course of Ebright’s life. That book told how monarch butterflies migrated to Central America. Richard Ebright was a passionate and eager collector. By the time he was in the second grade, he had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. Had he not got The Travels of MonarchX, Richard Ebright’s butterfly collecting would have ended. The book was a children’s book and was gifted to him by his mother. At the end of the book, readers were invited to help study butterfly migrations. They were asked to tag butterflies for research to Dr Urquhart. Soon, Ebright started sending tagged butterflies to Dr Urquhart of the University of Toronto, Canada. Then, Ebright started raising a flock of butterflies in his basement. For several years his basement was home to thousands of monarch butterflies in different stages of development.

Dr Urquhart had a dominating influence on Richard Ebright’s life. He made him do elaborate experiments on monarch butterflies. Ebright succeeded in proving that viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies to avoid being eaten by birds. He also showed how DNA controls heredity and is the blueprint for life.

Q13. Describe the contribution of his mother in Richard Ebright’s life. What role did she play in making Ebright a scientist?

Ans. They say that behind the success of a man stands a woman. And in Richard Ebright’s success as a scientist and also as a man, solidly stood his mother. Richard Ebright’s father had died when he was just in the third grade. “Richie was my life after his father died …,” said his mother. He was her only companion and they spent almost every evening at the dining table. Ebright’s mother encouraged his interest in learning. She knew that her son had a driving curiosity along with a bright mind. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and other equipment. She helped Ebright in many ways. She was an important link between Dr Urquhart and her son. She wrote to Dr Urquhart and after her advice, Ebright sent tagged butterflies to him in Canada. She knew that her son had a passion for collecting things. By the time he was in the second grade, Ebright had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. His interest in his butterfly collecting would have ended had she not got him a children’s book called The Travels of Monarch X. That book told how monarch butterflies migrated to Central America. It opened the world of science to the eager collector.

Q14. How did Richard Ebright’s not winning anything at his first County Science Fair motivate him to become a great scientist? What lessons did he learn from his failure there?

Ans.

Ebright had started with butterflies and other insects from a young age. His main focus was on the monarch butterfly in particular. By the time he reached second grade, he had collected all of the twenty-five types of butterflies found around his hometown. In seventh grade, however, he learned what real science is. He entered a county science fair with a project that was slides of frog tissues under a microscope. At the science fair, he did not win anything, unlike most people at the event who had won something instead. It was very sad for him to fail so miserably and get absolutely nothing when everyone else had won prizes instead. From this first experience at the county science fair came to know what real science is and to know what makes an ultimate winner – someone who has tried real experiments, rather than just setting up neat displays like Ebright did.
He looked to his mentor for new ideas and suggestions. His mentors gave him many suggestions for experiments. His research was continual, and he won prizes locally as well as internationally.

Q15.What other interests, besides science did Richard Ebright pursue? Why did Ebright respect and praise his Social Studies teacher so much?

Ans.No doubt, first and foremost, Richard Ebright was a scientist. He was interested in science, he first began to collect butterflies. But this scientist found time for other interests too. He was a man of many parts — a multifaceted genius. Not only did he collect butterflies but also took a deep interest in other activities. He collected rocks, fossils, and coins. He became an eager astronomer. He would indulge in star-gazing sometimes all night. Ebright also became a champion debater and public speaker. In this field, his Social Studies teacher turned Ebright’s tremendous energy towards the Debating and Model United Nations Clubs. He was a good canoeist and all-around outdoors-person. He was also an expert photographer. He excelled in nature and scientific exhibits. In brief, besides being a remarkable scientist, Richard Ebright enjoyed all pleasures, adventures, hobbies and entertainments that a happy and civilised living provided to him.