Scientific Minds — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton's book 'Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica' laid the foundation for classical mechanics. He also co-invented calculus and studied the properties of light. His laws describe the motion of objects from falling apples to orbiting planets.

Correct Answer: C. Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein transformed our understanding of space, time, and gravity. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, primarily for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. His work is a pillar of modern physics alongside quantum mechanics.

Correct Answer: B. Robert Koch

Robert Koch identified the specific causative agents of tuberculosis, cholera, and anthrax. He is considered one of the founders of microbiology. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905.

Correct Answer: A. Alexander Fleming

Alexander Fleming noticed that a mold called Penicillium notatum inhibited the growth of bacteria. This discovery revolutionized medicine by providing a cure for previously fatal bacterial infections. He shared the Nobel Prize in 1945 with Florey and Chain.

Correct Answer: C. Marie Curie

Marie Curie was the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields: Physics and Chemistry. She pioneered research on radioactivity and established its medical applications. She was also the first female professor at the University of Paris.

Correct Answer: B. Jonas Salk

Jonas Salk created the inactivated (killed-virus) polio vaccine in 1955. He famously chose not to patent the vaccine to ensure its worldwide accessibility. His invention led to the near-eradication of the crippling disease globally.

Correct Answer: B. Antoine Lavoisier

Antoine Lavoisier established the law of conservation of mass and helped construct the metric system. He identified and named oxygen and hydrogen. He compiled the first extensive list of elements and reformed chemical nomenclature.

Correct Answer: A. Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin explained how species change over time through the survival of the fittest. His observations during the voyage of the HMS Beagle provided the evidence for this revolutionary theory. This concept is the unifying principle of modern life sciences.

Correct Answer: B. Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell received the first U.S. patent for the telephone in 1876. He was also a pioneer in the field of acoustics and worked on teaching the deaf. His invention fundamentally changed the speed and nature of human communication.

Correct Answer: B. Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel identified that traits are passed down through discrete units which we now call genes. He established the rules of dominant and recessive inheritance. His work remained largely unrecognized until long after his death.