Loading PDF...
Chapter Analysis
Intermediate8 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
Chapter 6 of 'Footprints without Feet' in Class 10 English tells the inspiring journey of Richard Ebright, a scientist whose passion for butterflies as a child led to significant scientific achievements. Ebright's curiosity was sparked by a book titled 'The Travels of Monarch X' which opened the world of science to him. With encouragement from his mother, he progressed from tagging butterflies to discovering an insect hormone and developing a new theory on cell life. His path demonstrates that a combination of curiosity, determination, and the right motivation can lead to great scientific accomplishments.
Key Topics
- •Curiosity and scientific inquiry
- •Influence of mentors and family in science
- •Butterfly collecting and tagging
- •Role of experiments in scientific success
- •Discovery of insect hormones
- •Development of new biological theories
- •DNA and cell life
- •Scientific perseverance and motivation
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the role of curiosity and perseverance in scientific discovery.
- ✓Explore the influence of mentorship and familial support on scientific pursuits.
- ✓Recognize the importance of hands-on experiments in scientific learning.
- ✓Identify the contributions of Richard Ebright to entomology and cell biology.
- ✓Analyze how childhood interests can translate into career achievements.
Questions in Chapter
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?
Page 38
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?
Page 38
What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
Page 35
What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
Page 35
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
Page 35
Additional Practice Questions
How did 'The Travels of Monarch X' influence Richard Ebright's career?
easyAnswer: The book opened the world of science to Ebright, introducing him to the study of butterfly migrations. This interest, fostered by his mother, was crucial in developing his scientific curiosity and led to his later scientific achievements.
Discuss the role of Ebright’s mother in his journey to become a scientist.
mediumAnswer: Ebright’s mother played a pivotal role by encouraging his pursuits, providing him with resources like telescopes and microscopes, and keeping him engaged in learning. Her involvement and support were crucial in nurturing his scientific spirit.
What was Richard's approach after losing in the county science fair in the seventh grade?
mediumAnswer: After losing the fair, Richard realized the importance of conducting real experiments. He sought ideas from Dr. Urquhart, leading him to engage in extensive experiments, which became stepping stones in his scientific career.
What does the discovery of the hormone in monarch pupae indicate about Ebright's scientific abilities?
hardAnswer: The discovery highlights Ebright's keen observational skills and his ability to hypothesize the functional significance of physical traits, leading him to the advanced study of insect hormones and cell life theory.
Explain how Ebright's work with butterflies contributed to his theory about cell life.
hardAnswer: Ebright’s experiments with monarch pupae led to identifying a hormone critical for development and culminated in a theory about how cells use DNA as a blueprint, potentially impacting understanding of life processes and disease prevention.