The paragraph develops the idea that researchers are interested in what it takes to live a long life.
"Lonesome George's Genome Offers Clues to Long Life"
by Vicky Stein
Lonesome George, a wizened Galapagos giant tortoise, was the last of his kind. When a researcher spotted the nearly five-foot-long reptile roaming Pinta Island in 1971, his species had been thought extinct for decades. During the 40 years that followed — until his death in 2012 — Lonesome George was believed to be the only Pinta giant tortoise on the planet.
Now, researchers are using the iconic tortoise’s genetic material along with DNA from another long-lived turtle, the Aldabra giant tortoise, to better understand what it takes to live a long life.
In a new study published Monday in Nature Ecology and Evolution, the researchers sequenced Lonesome George and his fellow giant tortoises’ genes to compare the common genetic links among other long-living animals — such as naked mole rats, bats, some species of whales and humans.
They found a set of genetic adaptations related to cancer suppression, DNA repair and inflammation, laying the groundwork for future experiments into the mechanics of aging.
With the new insight into turtle biology, the researchers also hope this analysis might help prevent the long, lonely end of the world’s remaining giant tortoises.
Use the article excerpt to answer the question.
How does paragraph 4 develop the claim made in the article title?
(1 point)
Responses
The paragraph explains why humans and tortoises have similar lifespans.
The paragraph explains why humans and tortoises have similar lifespans.
The section explains why turtles do not get cancer or experience inflammation.
The section explains why turtles do not get cancer or experience inflammation.
The paragraph expands on the idea that Lonesome George had a special kind of DNA.
The paragraph expands on the idea that Lonesome George had a special kind of DNA.
The paragraph develops the idea that researchers are interested in what it takes to live a long life.
3 answers
Use the article to answer the question.
Which sentence from later in the text best helps develop the idea expressed in paragraph 2?
(1 point)
Responses
Thanks to this analysis, the researchers were able to narrow down their original list of 3,000 genes to 43 specific sequences that might have contributed to Lonesome George’s long, disease-free life.
Thanks to this analysis, the researchers were able to narrow down their original list of 3,000 genes to 43 specific sequences that might have contributed to Lonesome George’s long, disease-free life.
Lonesome George was a conservation icon, Caccone said, but a conservation icon that can also provide insights into human health and aging.
Lonesome George was a conservation icon, Caccone said, but a conservation icon that can also provide insights into human health and aging.
By targeting more than 3,000 genes of interest, the researchers could tease out the variations between humans and tortoises.
By targeting more than 3,000 genes of interest, the researchers could tease out the variations between humans and tortoises.
Their long, slow existence “has been key to their survival — from a time of overexploitation to a time of greater enlightenment and conservation,” she wrote in an email.
Which sentence from later in the text best helps develop the idea expressed in paragraph 2?
(1 point)
Responses
Thanks to this analysis, the researchers were able to narrow down their original list of 3,000 genes to 43 specific sequences that might have contributed to Lonesome George’s long, disease-free life.
Thanks to this analysis, the researchers were able to narrow down their original list of 3,000 genes to 43 specific sequences that might have contributed to Lonesome George’s long, disease-free life.
Lonesome George was a conservation icon, Caccone said, but a conservation icon that can also provide insights into human health and aging.
Lonesome George was a conservation icon, Caccone said, but a conservation icon that can also provide insights into human health and aging.
By targeting more than 3,000 genes of interest, the researchers could tease out the variations between humans and tortoises.
By targeting more than 3,000 genes of interest, the researchers could tease out the variations between humans and tortoises.
Their long, slow existence “has been key to their survival — from a time of overexploitation to a time of greater enlightenment and conservation,” she wrote in an email.
Thanks to this analysis, the researchers were able to narrow down their original list of 3,000 genes to 43 specific sequences that might have contributed to Lonesome George’s long, disease-free life.
1 answer