Scientists and Their Contributions

Scientists and Their Contributions

• Fred Hoyle (1915-2001): British astrophysicist, proposed the step-by-step creation of chemical elements in stars via nuclear reactions. Also a proponent of the steady state theory of the universe, which postulates a constant density despite expansion, as new matter is created continuously. He used the term "Big Bang" to describe the rival theory, but negatively.
• Irene Uchida (1917-2013): Canadian medical geneticist, researched how genes and chromosomes affect health, focusing on chromosome differences in genetic conditions like Down syndrome and congenital heart disease and effects of X-rays on chromosomes.
• Katherine Johnson (1918-): American mathematician, calculated trajectories for many space missions, including Alan Shepard's, and was key to the Apollo 11 Moon mission planning. Worked at NACA/NASA from 1953-1986.
• Yvonne Brill (1924-2013): Canadian inventor, developed a propulsion system for unmanned spacecraft to maintain stationary orbit, worked on thrusters for weather satellites, rocket designs, and the Mars Observer. Worked at NASA from 1981-1983.
• Abdus Salam (1926-1996): Pakistani physicist, developed the electroweak theory, explaining the weak interaction between subatomic particles and its unification with the electromagnetic force. His theory, predicting messenger particles for the weak force, was confirmed at CERN (1973) and he was awarded a Nobel Prize (1979).
• Vera Rubin (1928-2016): Discovered that stars in the outer parts of galaxies orbit as fast as those closer to the center, contradicting Newtonian gravity. Her research led to the understanding of dark matter.
• Peter Higgs (1929-): Developed a theory explaining the origin of elementary particle mass through interactions with a permeating Higgs field, predicting the existence of a Higgs boson particle. His work fueled the Large Hadron Collider project, which successfully detected the Higgs boson (2012). Received the Nobel Prize (2013).
• Eric Kandel (1929-): Studied the cellular basis of behavior and the role of synapses in memory and learning using the sea slug as a model organism. Awarded Nobel Prize (2000).
• Mario Molina (1943-): Mexican chemical engineer who, with Sherwood Rowland, showed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) destroy the ozone layer. This work led to the banning/limitation of CFCs and won them a Nobel Prize (1995).
• Lap-Chee Tsui (1950-): Canadian medical geneticist, helped to identify the faulty gene responsible for cystic fibrosis.
• Mae Jemison (1956-): First African American woman in space, flew on the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
• Donna Strickland (1959-): Canadian optical physicist, developed chirped pulse amplification (CPA) with Gérard Mourou, leading to the shortest and most intense laser pulses. Awarded a Nobel Prize (2018).
• Carol Greider (1961-): American molecular biologist, researched telomeres and telomerase, and discovered that inhibiting telomerase in cancer cells can slow tumor growth. Awarded a Nobel Prize (2009).

Additional Information

• Extra chromosome: A condition where individuals have an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) in their cells. Down syndrome is an example.

This quiz explores significant contributions made by notable scientists such as Fred Hoyle, Irene Uchida, Katherine Johnson, and Yvonne Brill. Each question focuses on their discoveries and advancements, providing insight into their roles in science and technology. Test your knowledge and learn about these influential figures in various scientific fields.