Tales of Shaman Apprentice Chapter 1 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Who is the main character of this book?

Mark J. Plotkin

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?

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?

The systematic study of how the people of a particular region use the local plants. Signup and view all the answers

What type of Indians did the Harvard professor show the class?

Makuna Indians and young Cube women, and banana shamans. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Amazon they are talking about located?

Northwest Signup and view all the answers

In 1973, what age and what college did Plotkin attend?

18, University of Pennsylvania Signup and view all the answers

What did Poltroon realize after being in the sterile labs of the University of Pennsylvania?

He wanted to be studying in the rainforest. Signup and view all the answers

In September of 1974, what did Plotkin do?

Joined the museum staff and spent days building cabinets and carting dinosaur bones. Signup and view all the answers

What is another name people called Professor Stilettos?

Father of ethnobotany Signup and view all the answers

In just one Amazonian national park - Manu in southeastern Peru, there are more ____ species to be found than in the entire U.S.

bird Signup and view all the answers

Amazonia is home to the largest e, a, ar, sp, fr, fr____.

eagle, anteater, armadillo, spider, freshwater turtle, freshwater fish. Signup and view all the answers

How many plants are in the Amazon?

One of every four plants Signup and view all the answers

How many species grow in the Amazon?

250,000 Signup and view all the answers

What often gives the bitter taste?

Alkaline properties of alkaloids Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the bitterest substances known?

Quinine from the bark of the cinchona tree. Signup and view all the answers

A ____ of all prescription drugs sold have plant chemicals as active ingredients.

quarter Signup and view all the answers

What is called the living fossil?

Ginkgo Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical used for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer?

Taxol Signup and view all the answers

What are voucher specimens?

Small shrub or herb, or part of a whole sample. Signup and view all the answers

What class of chemical compounds is particularly important in medicinal and hallucinogenic drugs?

Alkaloids Signup and view all the answers

What percent of Brazil's plant species have been studied to determine their therapeutic potential?

Only 5,000 of the 250,000 Signup and view all the answers

How have we discovered the medicinal value of most plants?

Randomly select them to test Signup and view all the answers

How has the National Cancer Institute gone about finding cures for cancer and AIDS? What's Plotkin think of this approach?

Screening randomly, no ethnobotanical approach. Signup and view all the answers

What is an isolate? Give an example.

A tribe whose affinity to other groups is unclear. Signup and view all the answers

How many tribes have gone extinct in Brazil in the last century?

90 Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate of rainforest destruction?

One hundred acres per minute Signup and view all the answers

Who is the most crucial link between the rainforest and the pharmacy?

Shamans Signup and view all the answers

Why did the drug industry lose interest in plants as a source of medicinal drugs?

Synthetic chemistry, wonder drugs Signup and view all the answers

Given his concern about intellectual property rights, what did Plotkin decide to do?

He decided to wait for the drug companies to regain interest in natural products and a law to give profits to Indians. Signup and view all the answers

What 2 policy recommendations does Plotkin make to assure the survival of the rainforests?

Drug companies regain interest in 'natural products' Signup and view all the answers

What would American agriculture be like if we only used native plants?

Berries and nuts -- pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, gooseberries. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Shaman's Apprentice Program?

Info provided by tribes and translated back to local language and studied by young tribe member designated as shaman's apprentice. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the diverse writer named?

Aldous Huxley Signup and view all the answers

Who was the 60's drug guru?

Timothy Leary Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard biologist?

Edward O. Wilson Signup and view all the answers

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!