Reading Passage Questions
There is no consensus among researchers regarding what qualifies a substance as a pheromone. While most agree on a basic definition of pheromones as chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response, some researchers also specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious. In addition, the distinction between pheromones and odorants—chemicals that are consciously detected as odors—can be blurry, and some researchers classify pheromones as a type of odorant. Evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odor perception comes from the finding that in many species, pheromones are processed by the vomeronasal (or accessory olfactory) system, which uses a special structure in the nose, the vomeronasal organ (VNO), to receive chemical signals. The neural connections between the VNO and the brain are separate from those of the main olfactory system, whose processing of odorants triggers sensations of smell. But while the VNO does process many animal pheromone signals, not all animal pheromones work through the VNO. Conversely, not all chemical signals transmitted via the VNO qualify as pheromones. For example, garter snakes detect a chemical signal from earthworms—one of their favorite foods—via the VNO, and they use this signal to track their prey.
“There is no consensus among researchers regarding what qualifies GMAT Reading Comprehension” contains a passage followed by questions and answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension. This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Solution and Explanation
- It can be inferred from the passage that in classifying pheromones as a type of odorant, the researchers referred to the highlighted text posit that
(A) pheromones are perceived consciously
(B) most pheromones are processed by the VNO
(C) most chemical signals processed by the VNO are pheromones
(D) Pheromone perception does not occur exclusively between members of the same species.
(E) pheromones do not always elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response
Answer: A
Explanation: The discovery that pheromones are processed by the vomeronasal (or accessory olfactory) system in many species. It uses a special structure in the nose called the vomeronasal organ (VNO). It helps to receive chemical signals, and provides evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odour perception.
- According to the passage, the fact that pheromones are processed by the VNO in many animal species has been taken as evidence of which of the following?
(A) The accessory and main olfactory systems are not separate
(B) Odorants and pheromones are not distinct types of chemicals.
(C) Odorants and pheromones both elicit a specific behavioral response.
(D) Pheromones do not trigger conscious sensations of smell.
(E) Pheromones aid animals in tracking prey.
Answer: D
Explanation: The primary olfactory system, which processes odorants to produce smell sensations, has different neurological connections from the VNO. It communicates with the brain via different neural pathways. Though many animal pheromone signals are processed by the VNO, not all animal pheromones function through the VNO. On the other hand, not all chemical signals sent by the VNO are considered pheromones.
- The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) compare and contrast the ways in which the vomeronasal organ and the main olfactory systern process chemicals.
(B) summarize the debate over the role the vomeronasal organ plays in odor perception
(C) present some of the issues involved in the debate over what constitutes a pheromone
(D) propose a new definition of pheromones based on recent research
(E) argue that pheromones should be classified as a type of odorant
Answer: C
Explanation: It is evident from the opening lines of the paragraph that states facts regarding what constitutes a pheromone, scholars are divided on this issue. Most researchers believe that pheromones are substances emitted by one member of a species. when detected by another member of the same species, induce a certain behavioural or physiological reaction. However, some researchers additionally stipulate that the response to pheromones must be unconscious.
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