Ultimate NCERT Solutions for Chapter 6 The Making of a Scientist

Updated Solution 2024-2025                                                                        Updated Solution 2024-2025

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English, Chapter 6 The Making of a Scientist

 (Question/Answers, summary)

Chapter 6 The Making of a Scientist

Summary of Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist(Eng)

“The Making of a Scientist” is a story by Robert W. Peterson that highlights the journey of Richard Ebright, a brilliant scientist known for his groundbreaking work in cell theory.

Ebright’s curiosity and passion for science began in childhood. He was an intelligent and hardworking student with a keen interest in collecting butterflies, rocks, fossils, and coins. His mother played a crucial role in encouraging his scientific temperament by providing him with books and guiding him in his experiments. One such book, “The Travels of Monarch X”, sparked his interest in the study of butterflies and led him to work on various scientific projects.

As he grew older, Ebright participated in the science fair and conducted research on butterfly genetics. His dedication and intelligence helped him make important discoveries, including how cells function. His project on the role of DNA in cell heredity brought him great recognition.

The chapter emphasizes that qualities like curiosity, perseverance, and a strong desire to learn are essential for becoming a successful scientist. Ebright’s journey teaches that hard work, determination, and the right guidance can lead to great achievements.

Summary of Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist (in hindi)

“एक वैज्ञानिक का निर्माण” रॉबर्ट डब्ल्यू. पीटरसन द्वारा लिखित एक कहानी है, जो रिचर्ड एब्राइट की यात्रा को उजागर करती है। रिचर्ड एब्राइट एक प्रतिभाशाली वैज्ञानिक थे, जो कोशिका सिद्धांत (Cell Theory) में अपने क्रांतिकारी कार्य के लिए प्रसिद्ध हुए।

एब्राइट की जिज्ञासा और विज्ञान के प्रति रुचि उनके बचपन से ही शुरू हो गई थी। वे एक बुद्धिमान और परिश्रमी छात्र थे, जिन्हें तितलियाँ, पत्थर, जीवाश्म और सिक्के इकट्ठा करने का शौक था। उनकी माँ ने उनके वैज्ञानिक सोच को विकसित करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई। उन्होंने एब्राइट को किताबें प्रदान कीं और प्रयोगों में उनका मार्गदर्शन किया। इनमें से एक पुस्तक, “द ट्रैवल्स ऑफ मोनार्क एक्स”, ने तितलियों के अध्ययन के प्रति उनकी रुचि को और बढ़ाया और उन्हें विभिन्न वैज्ञानिक परियोजनाओं पर कार्य करने के लिए प्रेरित किया।

जैसे-जैसे वे बड़े हुए, उन्होंने विज्ञान मेलों में भाग लिया और तितलियों की आनुवंशिकी पर शोध किया। उनकी लगन और बुद्धिमत्ता ने उन्हें महत्वपूर्ण खोजें करने में मदद की, जिनमें कोशिकाओं के कार्य करने की प्रक्रिया का पता लगाना भी शामिल था। डीएनए की कोशिका वंशानुक्रम में भूमिका पर आधारित उनके शोध ने उन्हें काफी पहचान दिलाई।

यह अध्याय इस बात पर जोर देता है कि जिज्ञासा, दृढ़ता और सीखने की प्रबल इच्छा जैसे गुण एक सफल वैज्ञानिक बनने के लिए आवश्यक हैं। एब्राइट की यात्रा यह सिखाती है कि कड़ी मेहनत, संकल्प और सही मार्गदर्शन से महान उपलब्धियाँ हासिल की जा सकती हैं।

READ AND FIND OUT

Q 1. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?

Ans 1: The book The Travels of Monarch X was a pivotal moment in Richard Ebright’s life, as it introduced him to the fascinating world of science. Through this book, he had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Urquhart, who provided valuable advice, encouragement, and guidance, inspiring Ebright to embark on his scientific research focused on butterflies.

Q 2. How did his mother help him?

Ans 2: Ebright’s mother played a crucial role in nurturing his interests. She took him on various trips and provided him with essential tools like telescopes, microscopes, cameras, and mounting materials. Their evenings were often spent together at the dining room table, where she would encourage him to engage in educational activities. Ebright was a passionate learner, and his mother’s support contributed to his consistent A grades throughout school. Additionally, she introduced him to a children’s book titled The Travels of Monarch X, which sparked his fascination with the world of science.

READ AND FIND OUT

Q 1. What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?

Ans 1: To succeed in a science fair, he discovered that conducting genuine experiments is essential. No matter how well-organized the display materials are, they alone will not earn a prize.

Q 2. What experiments and projects do he then undertake?

Ans 2: Ebright’s journey in scientific exploration began with a project aimed at uncovering the cause of a viral disease that periodically decimated monarch caterpillar populations. He hypothesized that a particular beetle might be transmitting the disease, so he conducted an experiment where he raised caterpillars alongside these beetles. Although nothing significant happened during this trial, Ebright presented his findings and earned a prize for his efforts.

The following year, he focused on demonstrating that viceroy butterflies mimic monarchs. This theory was grounded in the observation that birds tend to avoid eating monarchs due to their unpleasant taste, while they find viceroys more palatable. By resembling the unappetizing monarchs, viceroys reduced their chances of being preyed upon. Ebright’s project received first place in the zoology division and third place overall at the county science fair.

In his second year of high school, he tackled the mystery of twelve tiny gold spots on monarch pupae. Previously thought to be merely decorative, Ebright, along with another talented science student, designed an experiment that revealed these spots produced a hormone essential for the butterfly’s full development. This groundbreaking project won him first prize at the county science fair and an opportunity to enter the International Science and Engineering Fair, where he secured third place in Zoology. Additionally, he was granted a summer internship at the entomology laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Ebright continued to excel, ultimately winning first prize at the International Science Fair.

In his senior year, he advanced his research by cultivating cells from a monarch’s wing in a culture. He discovered that these cells developed into normal butterfly scales only when they were provided with the hormone from the gold spots. This impressive work earned him first prize at the International Science Fair once again.

After graduating, Ebright continued his experiments using advanced equipment at Harvard University. While analyzing X-ray images of the hormone’s chemical structure, he stumbled upon an answer to a long-standing question: how cells interpret the blueprint of their DNA. This significant revelation could lead to a deeper understanding of the processes of life and may provide insights into preventing certain types of cancer and other diseases.

Chapter 6 The Making of a Scientist

Updated Solution 2024-2025

Q 3. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?

Ans 3: To become a scientist, one needs a sharp mind and a genuine curiosity about the world. Key qualities include keen observation skills, analytical thinking, and a strong determination to pursue knowledge for the right reasons. These attributes are essential for anyone aspiring to make a significant contribution to science.

Q 1. How is the monarch butterfly (top) different from the viceroy butterfly (bottom)?

Ans 1: The shape of the wings varies between different butterflies. The viceroy butterfly, for instance, has a greater number of scales on its wings. Its wings are split into two distinct sections, with the upper wings appearing larger than the lower ones.

 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?

Ans 1: Simply reading numerous books on a particular subject does not automatically qualify someone as a scientist, economist, or historian. Successful professionals in these fields often share specific traits that contribute to their effectiveness.

Along with a sharp intellect, a genuine passion for their subject is essential. They must possess an observant and analytical mindset, coupled with a strong sense of curiosity and determination to pursue the truth. To validate their thoughts and ideas, these individuals engage in experiments, allowing them to demonstrate the strength and accuracy of their hypotheses.

Books provide foundational knowledge and inspire further exploration, but they are just the beginning. In The Making of a Scientist, Richard Ebright didn’t stop at reading The Travels of Monarch X—he used it as a springboard for his butterfly experiments. With sharp intellect, keen observation, and relentless curiosity, he conducted numerous experiments in well-equipped laboratories. He discovered that hormones produced by the gold spots of a pupa play a vital role in butterfly wing formation. Additionally, he made a significant breakthrough in understanding how cells interpret the DNA blueprint. His success was driven by his keen observational skills and unwavering curiosity, proving that true scientific discoveries stem from persistence and a desire to explore beyond books.

Q 2. You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright, 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?

Ans 2: A cell is the smallest unit in a living organism’s body that can function independently. All living beings, including plants and animals, are composed of cells. Within each cell’s nucleus, DNA acts as the hereditary material, guiding the cell’s structure and function. In this way, DNA serves as the essential blueprint for life.

If given an opportunity to work on scientific projects like those of Richard Ebright, I would focus on researching natural disasters. My goal would be to develop ways to predict events like earthquakes and tsunamis in advance. Gaining insights into the timing, location, speed, and intensity of such events would enable authorities to take proactive measures, reducing the potential loss of life and property.

My motivation stems from the devastation caused by these disasters, which leave lasting impacts on communities. I vividly remember the aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat and the destructive tsunamis. Those haunting images remain with me, inspiring a desire to contribute to society by creating technology that can better forecast and prepare for such natural calamities.

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 children in India have asked Professor Yashpal 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 Yashpal’s and Dr. Rahul Pal’s answers (as given in Discovered Questions) on Page 75.

Ans 1: Certainly, I’d be happy to provide answers to these questions. Let’s explore each one:

1. What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?

Answer: DNA fingerprinting is a technique used to identify individuals based on the unique patterns in their DNA. It involves analyzing specific regions of DNA that vary greatly from person to person. This technique is widely used in forensic science to help identify individuals in criminal investigations by matching DNA samples. DNA fingerprinting is also used in paternity testing, identifying genetic diseases, and studying biological relationships among individuals or groups.

2. How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?

Answer: Honeybees identify their own honeycombs by using their keen sense of smell and other cues. Each colony of honeybees has a unique scent due to specific pheromones produced by the bees and the queen. When bees return to the hive, they recognize this scent, which helps them locate their colony among many others. They also rely on visual landmarks and their memory of the hive’s location to find their way back.

3. Why does rain fall in drops?

Answer: Rain falls in drops because of the way water molecules interact with each other and the forces of gravity and air resistance. When water vapor in clouds cools down, it condenses into tiny droplets. As these droplets combine and grow larger, they become heavy enough to fall towards the ground due to gravity. The spherical shape of raindrops is due to surface tension, which pulls the molecules together, forming a rounded shape as they fall.

Q 2. You also must have wondered about certain things around you. Share these questions with your class, and try and answer them.

Ans 2: Absolutely, exploring our surroundings and asking questions is a great way to learn. Here are a few intriguing questions I’ve wondered about, which could spark discussion and discovery in a class setting:

1. Why do leaves change color in the fall?
   • Answer: Leaves change color due to the breakdown of chlorophyll, which is the green pigment used in photosynthesis. As daylight shortens and temperatures drop, chlorophyll production slows down, allowing other pigments (like carotenoids for yellow and anthocyanins for red) to become more visible.
2. How do birds know where to migrate?
   • Answer: Birds use various cues like the position of the sun and stars, Earth’s magnetic field, and even landmarks to navigate. Some species also have an innate “map sense” or memory from previous migrations to guide them.
3. How do plants ‘know’ to grow toward light?
   • Answer: This is due to a process called phototropism. Plants have cells called photoreceptors that detect light direction, causing cells on the darker side of the plant to elongate more, thus bending the plant toward the light.
4. Why does the sky change colors at sunset?
   • Answer: As the sun sets, its light passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and letting longer red and orange wavelengths reach our eyes. This scattering effect, known as Rayleigh scattering, creates beautiful colors in the sky.

Chapter 6 The Making of a Scientist – Updated Solution 2024-2025

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