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Questions and Answers
Who is the main character of this book?
Who is the main character of this book?
Mark J. Plotkin
Who is the professor mentioned in this chapter that influenced Poltroon?
Who is the professor mentioned in this chapter that influenced Poltroon?
Richard Evans Schultes
What was the dream Poltroon had at the beginning of the book and what did the Indian say after he broke into a smile?
What was the dream Poltroon had at the beginning of the book and what did the Indian say after he broke into a smile?
A large jaguar went into his hut and stared deeply into his eyes. He awoke with a scream and said the jaguar was him.
What is ethnobotany?
What is ethnobotany?
What type of Indians did the Harvard professor show the class?
What type of Indians did the Harvard professor show the class?
Where is the Amazon they are talking about located?
Where is the Amazon they are talking about located?
In 1973, what age and what college did Plotkin attend?
In 1973, what age and what college did Plotkin attend?
What did Poltroon realize after being in the sterile labs of the University of Pennsylvania?
What did Poltroon realize after being in the sterile labs of the University of Pennsylvania?
In September of 1974, what did Plotkin do?
In September of 1974, what did Plotkin do?
What is another name people called Professor Stilettos?
What is another name people called Professor Stilettos?
In just one Amazonian national park - Manu in southeastern Peru, there are more ____ species to be found than in the entire U.S.
In just one Amazonian national park - Manu in southeastern Peru, there are more ____ species to be found than in the entire U.S.
Amazonia is home to the largest e____, a______, ar____, sp______, fr______, fr______.
Amazonia is home to the largest e____, a______, ar____, sp______, fr______, fr______.
How many plants are in the Amazon?
How many plants are in the Amazon?
How many species grow in the Amazon?
How many species grow in the Amazon?
What often gives the bitter taste?
What often gives the bitter taste?
What is one of the bitterest substances known?
What is one of the bitterest substances known?
A ____ of all prescription drugs sold have plant chemicals as active ingredients.
A ____ of all prescription drugs sold have plant chemicals as active ingredients.
What is called the living fossil?
What is called the living fossil?
What is a chemical used for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer?
What is a chemical used for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer?
What are voucher specimens?
What are voucher specimens?
What class of chemical compounds is particularly important in medicinal and hallucinogenic drugs?
What class of chemical compounds is particularly important in medicinal and hallucinogenic drugs?
What percent of Brazil's plant species have been studied to determine their therapeutic potential?
What percent of Brazil's plant species have been studied to determine their therapeutic potential?
How have we discovered the medicinal value of most plants?
How have we discovered the medicinal value of most plants?
How has the National Cancer Institute gone about finding cures for cancer and AIDS? What's Plotkin think of this approach?
How has the National Cancer Institute gone about finding cures for cancer and AIDS? What's Plotkin think of this approach?
What is an isolate? Give an example.
What is an isolate? Give an example.
How many tribes have gone extinct in Brazil in the last century?
How many tribes have gone extinct in Brazil in the last century?
What is the rate of rainforest destruction?
What is the rate of rainforest destruction?
Who is the most crucial link between the rainforest and the pharmacy?
Who is the most crucial link between the rainforest and the pharmacy?
Why did the drug industry lose interest in plants as a source of medicinal drugs?
Why did the drug industry lose interest in plants as a source of medicinal drugs?
Given his concern about intellectual property rights, what did Plotkin decide to do?
Given his concern about intellectual property rights, what did Plotkin decide to do?
What 2 policy recommendations does Plotkin make to assure the survival of the rainforests?
What 2 policy recommendations does Plotkin make to assure the survival of the rainforests?
What would American agriculture be like if we only used native plants?
What would American agriculture be like if we only used native plants?
What is the Shaman's Apprentice Program?
What is the Shaman's Apprentice Program?
Who was the diverse writer named?
Who was the diverse writer named?
Who was the 60's drug guru?
Who was the 60's drug guru?
Who was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard biologist?
Who was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard biologist?
Study Notes
Main Characters and Influences
- Mark J. Plotkin is the main character and narrator of the narrative.
- Richard Evans Schultes, a Harvard professor, had a significant influence on Plotkin.
Dreams and Cultural Insights
- Plotkin experienced a dream with a large jaguar that stared deeply into his eyes, leading to a realization about identity.
Ethnobotany and Its Importance
- Ethnobotany is the systematic study of how local populations utilize regional plants.
- The Makuna Indians were highlighted during a class demonstration at Harvard, showcasing cultural connections to plants.
Amazon Biodiversity
- The Amazon rainforest holds more bird species in one national park (Manu in southeastern Peru) than in the entire United States.
- Amazonia is home to numerous unique species, including eagles, anteaters, armadillos, spiders, and various freshwater turtles and fish.
- Roughly one in four plant species globally can be found in the Amazon, with about 250,000 species documented.
Medicinal Plants and Alkaloids
- Alkaloids are key chemical compounds found in plants that contribute to bitterness and have medicinal uses.
- Quinine, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, is one of the most bitter substances and has historical significance as a treatment for malaria.
Pharmaceutical and Natural Products
- Approximately 25% of prescription medications are derived from plant chemicals.
- Only a small fraction (5,000 out of 250,000) of Brazil's plant species have been researched for their therapeutic potential.
- Random selection of plants for testing has often led to discoveries of medicinal value.
Cultural and Environmental Concerns
- Ninety tribes have gone extinct in Brazil over the last century, showcasing a loss of biodiversity and culture.
- Rainforest destruction occurs at an alarming rate of 100 acres per minute.
Role of Shamans
- Shamans are recognized as crucial conduits between the rainforest and the pharmaceutical industry, holding valuable knowledge of local plants.
Industry Disinterest and Policy Recommendations
- The drug industry has shifted focus to synthetic chemistry, leading to a decreased interest in medicinal plants.
- Policy recommendations include encouraging drug companies to leverage natural products and ensure profits return to indigenous communities.
Shaman's Apprentice Program
- The program focuses on documenting and studying traditional knowledge shared by tribes, translating it for future generations.
Significant Figures in Context
- Aldous Huxley, a noted writer, and Timothy Leary, known as a drug guru, were mentioned in relation to cultural perceptions of drugs.
- Edward O. Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard biologist, represents the intersection of biology and environmental conservation.
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Description
Test your knowledge of chapter 1 from 'Tales of Shaman Apprentice' by Mark J. Plotkin. This quiz covers the main characters and important details introduced in the chapter, including influential figures and key events. Get ready to explore the themes and insights presented in this fascinating book!
