When Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek In 1675 First Discovered Bacteria GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

When Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1675 first discovered bacteria, he thought they were animals. Indeed, under a microscope, many of them bear a close resemblance to those minute worms found in vinegar that are known as “vinegar-eels.” The idea that they belonged to the animal kingdom continued to hold ground until after the middle of the 19th century; but with the improvement in microscopes, a more thorough study became possible, and they were classified as vegetable. Now scientists classify them as neither plant nor animal, but as prokaryotes, single-cell organisms with no internal structures.

So far as structure is concerned, the bacteria stand on the lowest plane of life. The single individual is but a single cell composed of a protoplasmic body, which is surrounded by a thin membrane that separates it from neighboring cells that are alike in form and size.

In size, the bacteria are among the smallest organisms that are known to exist. Relatively, there is considerable difference in size between the different species, yet in absolute amount, this is so slight as to require the highest powers of the microscope to detect it. Bacteria are measured in units called micrometers, usually called microns. The average size of bacteria is one micron. One millimeter is equal to 1,000 microns; 25,000 microns make up 1 inch. It is difficult to comprehend such minute measurements, but if a hundred individual bacteria could be placed side by side, their total thickness would not equal that of a single sheet of paper. Each cell has a large surface area–to–volume ratio, and this determines how fast substances can enter and leave. Nutrients can enter, and wastes can leave these tiny cells very rapidly.

Bacteria are often divided into aerobic bacteria, which require oxygen to live, and anaerobic bacteria, which die when exposed to oxygen. Bacterial infections are often caused by toxins released by bacteria. Antibiotics have been used to fight bacterial infections, but some disease-causing organisms have become resistant to drug therapy. Because they are adaptable, bacteria have developed ways to resist the effects of antibiotics. Adding to the problem, the public has a tendency to overuse these drugs and pressure physicians into over-prescribing them.

“When Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1675 first discovered bacteria”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 4 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

Question 1
Which of the following characteristics of bacteria are discussed in the passage?

1. Thickness of the cell wall and reproductive processes
2. Vegetative properties of bacteria and structure of the nuclei
3. The variety of internal structures and the history of the discovery of bacteria
4. Surface area–to–volume ratio and cell size
5. Drug-resistant adaptations and locomotive structures

Question 2
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

1. The author extrapolates from Antonie van Leeuwenhoek’s findings that prokaryotes have characteristics of both plant and animal cells.
2. If scientists can discover a method of sealing prokaryotic cell membranes to make them impermeable, antibiotic use can be reduced.
3. Since bacteria range in size from 0.5 millimeter to 1 millimeter, most are not visible to the naked eye.
4. The larger the surface area–to–volume ratio of an organism, the less permeable the membrane.
5. The nucleus of the bacteria cell is a membrane-enclosed organelle that acts as the control center for cell functions.

Question 3
All of the following are true according to the information in the passage except:

1. The development of drug-resistant bacteria is a corollary of overprescribing antibiotic drugs to treat illnesses that may or may not be bacterial infections.
2. Structural differences between plant cells and animal cells led biologists to create a new classification for single-cell organisms.
3. The development of high-powered microscopes uncovered sub-cellular disclosures that spawned a revision of prior classifications.
4. The environment that is conducive to the growth of one type of bacteria may cause the death of others.
5. Prokaryotes evolved from protoorganisms that had well-formed nuclei and discrete internal structures.

Question 4
The main purpose of this passage is to

1. trace the history of bacteria from primeval times to modern-day mutations.
2. ridicule the fallacious thinking that led early scientists to misclassify single-cell organisms.
3. discuss a plan for the investigation of the role bacteria play in causing infections.
4. challenge a popular theory about the evolution of prokaryotes.
5. present an overview from original misconception to modern understanding.

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