byRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
Reading Passage Question
While most individuals are aware that their bodies are filled with bacteria, both beneficial and pathological, few realize the full spectrum of fungi, viruses, microbes, and archaea that exist within the human microbiome. Some researchers have even posited that the human body is made up of more foreign than human genetic material. One of the major benefits of understanding the complexity of what lives inside the body is that some researchers have changed the way they seek treatments for illness, with a number of innovative techniques being adopted as a result. With a better grasp of how millions of microbial genes interact with the tens of thousands of genes that make up the human genome, researchers are able to divine ways to augment these interactions in order to curb and—in some instances—reverse the progress of disease.
Another important outcome from a better understanding of the human microbiome is a rethinking of the side effects of antibiotics commonly used to treat a wide spectrum of illnesses. One professor has theorized that the proliferation of antibiotics, while doing much to stave off the spread of infectious disease, has also contributed to a new set of diseases far more resistant to currently available remedies. Various antibiotics have detrimental effects on bacteria in the body, and an individual's microbiome not only determines susceptibility to certain autoimmune diseases and allergies, but it may also reduce or increase the likelihood of contracting specific illnesses.
One disease that researchers have applied this new approach to is obesity. The digestive tract is the region of the body with the highest concentration of microbes. Along with lifestyle choices and family history, the microscopic ecosystem of the gut makes a significant contribution to the severity of obesity. Studies of laboratory mice have shown that the same unhealthy diet paired with gut bacteria from different microbiomes can lead to either weight gain or weight loss. Whether the results of these and similar studies will directly translate to humans remains to be seen, but the potential for developing an entirely new branch of pharmaceuticals, microbial medicine, has both intriguing and broad implications.
“While most individuals are aware that their bodies are filled with bacteria, both beneficial and pathological” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 2 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
- Based on the preceding passage, with which of the following statements about the potential of microbial medicine would the author most likely agree?
- The study of microbes in the digestive tract is unlikely to further the progress of microbial medicine.
- Microbial medicine will be unable to reach its full potential as long as researchers have a limited understanding of the human genome.
- The results of studies of obesity in lab mice may indicate the potential of microbial medicine for humans.
- Despite its potential, microbial medicine is unlikely to have the same impact that antibiotics have had on disease.
- Microbial medicine's main potential benefit is in slowing the progress of specific diseases.
Answer: C
Explanation: This is an Inference type question. The author's opinion on "microbial medicine," is a phrase that is seen in the last paragraph. The author discusses the opportunity of a "new branch of pharmaceuticals". This implies that it has "intriguing and broad implications." This positive vocabulary indicates the author's opinion. Microbial medicine is supposed to hold assurance for the results of experiments on mice. Option (C) paraphrases this idea in the last two sentences of the passage. The tentative wording "may indicate," matches the author's caveat. This is an experimental result with mice that may not translate to humans.
- According to the passage, which of the following are possible consequences of a greater understanding of the microbiome within the human body?
- Researchers have conducted experiments to test hypotheses about the interaction of diet and bacteria in the gut.
- Researchers use innovative methods to exploit the interaction of human and non-human genes.
- The indiscriminate use of antibiotics to treat illness has been called into question.
- I only
- II only
- III only
- I,II, and III
- II, and III
Answer: D
Explanation: This is a Detail type question. The author begins with the researchers knowing more about the human microbiome. They used and moved on to outline a number of potential consequences of this learning. Hence all three options can be checked-
Option I provides information about experiments on mice. It states about microbiomes affect weight. Option II provides information about "innovative techniques" that are being used as researchers have "a better grasp of how millions of microbial genes interact with the tens of thousands of genes that make up the human genome." Option III illustrates that the author cites a professor who believes antibiotics "have also contributed to a new set of diseases" this way they resist treatment. Hence option D is the correct answer.
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