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.

Question

Which sentence from later in the text best helps develop the idea expressed in paragraph 2?

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.

By targeting more than 3,000 genes of interest, the researchers could tease out the variations between humans and tortoises

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.

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

Answer 1

The sentence that best helps develop the idea expressed in paragraph 2 is:

"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."

This sentence provides concrete evidence of the researchers' efforts to understand the genetic factors contributing to longevity, which aligns with the overarching theme of utilizing genetic material to explore long life.