Find NCERT solutions for textbook exercises and in-text questions of the chapter ‘The Making of a Scientist’ from the NCERT Class 10 English textbook ‘Footprints without Feet’. For notes on ‘The Making of a Scientist’, click here.
Intext-Questions and Answers
Read and find out (Page 32)
Q.1. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
Ans: The book The Travels of Monarch X was a major turning point in Richard Ebright’s life. It introduced him to the scientific study of butterfly migration and opened his mind to the broader world of scientific research. The book explained how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America, which fascinated young Ebright and inspired him to participate in a project tagging butterflies for scientific research. This hands-on experience sparked his interest in serious scientific exploration and set him on the path to becoming a scientist.
Q.2. How did his mother help him?
Ans: Richard Ebright’s mother played a crucial role in his development. She encouraged his interest in learning from a very young age, providing him with the tools and resources he needed. She took him on educational trips, bought him microscopes, telescopes, cameras, and other materials that fueled his curiosity. After the death of his father, she became even more involved, spending most evenings with him, helping him with projects, and fostering his love for science. She supported his scientific endeavours, making sure he had what he needed to learn and grow.
Read and find out (Page 34)
Q.1. What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
When Ebright did not win anything at his first science fair, he learned a valuable lesson: real science is about doing experiments, not just creating neat displays. His entry, which consisted of slides of frog tissues, was not enough to win because it wasn’t based on an actual experiment. He realized that the winners had conducted experiments and presented results, which showed him the importance of practical scientific work and research.
Q.2. What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
After his loss at the science fair, Ebright became determined to do real experiments. Some of the key projects he undertook include:
- Viral Disease Experiment (8th Grade):
He tried to find the cause of a viral disease that killed monarch caterpillars by raising them in the presence of beetles, though he didn’t get conclusive results. - Viceroy Butterfly Experiment (9th Grade):
He tested the theory that viceroy butterflies mimic monarchs to avoid being eaten by birds, winning first place in zoology in a county fair. - Monarch Pupa Gold Spots Research (High School):
Ebright discovered that the gold spots on monarch pupae produce a hormone necessary for their development, leading to significant achievements in science fairs.
Q.3. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
The chapter highlights three key qualities that contribute to the making of a scientist:
- Curiosity:
Ebright had a natural desire to learn and understand how things work, which drove him to explore and experiment. - A first-rate mind:
Ebright’s intelligence helped him grasp complex scientific concepts and conduct high-level research from a young age. - The will to win for the right reasons:
Ebright was competitive, but his motivation was not just to win prizes. He wanted to do the best work possible, driven by a genuine love for learning and discovery.
Chapter-end Exercises: Q&A
Think about it:
Q.1. 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, historian, or any expert in a field involves much more than just reading books. While reading provides foundational knowledge, it is through observing, thinking critically, and doing practical work like experiments, research, and real-life applications that one becomes truly skilled.
- For a scientist, experiments and practical research are key to understanding natural phenomena.
- For an economist, analysing real-world data, understanding markets, and applying theories to practical situations are essential.
- For a historian, it’s about studying historical evidence, interpreting past events, and understanding how they shape the present and future.
So, in each of these fields, it’s a combination of theoretical learning and hands-on experience that helps one truly master the subject.
Q.2. 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 insect hormones and the gold spots on monarch pupae eventually led him to propose a new theory about how cells “read” the blueprint of DNA. This is closely related to what we learn in science about cells being the building blocks of life and DNA controlling heredity and the functioning of cells.
Ebright discovered that the hormone produced by the gold spots was essential for the development of butterfly wing cells. His research helped explain how DNA gives instructions to cells for their growth and development. This is an advanced application of what we study in biology about cell division, genetics, and DNA’s role in heredity.
If given the opportunity to work on experiments and projects like Richard Ebright, I would choose the field of environmental science. This is because the environment and its preservation are crucial for the future of the planet. Working on projects related to climate change, conservation of endangered species, or renewable energy would allow me to contribute to solving real-world problems that affect everyone. By experimenting and finding solutions, I could help make the world more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Talk about it
Q.1. 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).
(i) What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?
(ii) How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?
(iii) Why does rain fall in drops?
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: (i) What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?
DNA fingerprinting is a technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA patterns. Every person’s DNA is unique (except for identical twins), and this method can be used to match DNA samples from crime scenes, determine parentage, or study genetic diseases.
Uses of DNA Fingerprinting:
- Criminal investigations: Helps in identifying suspects by comparing their DNA with evidence found at crime scenes.
- Paternity tests: Determines biological relationships between individuals, such as identifying a child’s biological parents.
- Genetic research: Helps scientists study hereditary diseases and genetic disorders.
(ii) How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?
Honeybees use a combination of smell and visual cues to identify their own honeycombs. Each hive has a unique scent produced by the queen and the worker bees. Bees can recognize this scent and use it to find their way back to their hive, even among many other hives. They also have excellent memory and visual recognition, allowing them to identify landmarks around their hive.
(iii) Why does rain fall in drops?
Rain falls in drops due to the way water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into droplets. When warm, moist air rises, it cools down, and the water vapor in the air forms tiny droplets around dust particles. These droplets combine to form larger drops. Gravity pulls them down to the earth, and because of their shape and surface tension, they fall as drops rather than as a continuous stream.
Q.2. You also must have wondered about certain things around you. Share these questions with your class, and try and answer them.
Answer: Sharing some questions here:
- Why is the sky blue?
- How do plants grow without sunlight?
- What causes ocean tides?
