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Question 1
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
79% (02:37) correct
21%
(02:24) wrong
based on 78
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
75% (00:46) correct 25%
(01:24) wrong
based on 88
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
57% (00:46) correct 43%
(00:57) wrong
based on 84
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (00:48) correct 57%
(00:52) wrong
based on 77
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Q1. Which of the following can be inferred about the stability of the microbiota in early adulthood?
A. The microbiota remains in a continuous state of flux during early adulthood due to frequent changes in environmental factors.
B. The microbiota reaches a composition that is largely stable after early childhood, with minimal changes until later life.
C. The microbiota is fully formed by the age of 2.5 years and experiences no further significant alterations, even during later stages of life.
D. The microbiota stabilizes in infancy but begins to gradually decline in diversity during early adulthood.
E. After early adulthood, the composition of the microbiota becomes highly unpredictable and varies significantly between individuals.
A new era in medical science has dawned with the realization of the critical role of the “forgotten organ” - the gut microbiota, in health and disease. Microbiota refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that inhabit a particular environment, such as the human gut. Central to this beneficial interaction between the microbiota and host is the manner in which bacteria and most likely other microorganisms contained within the gut communicate with the host’s immune system and participate in a variety of metabolic processes of mutual benefit to the host and the microbe.
At birth, the entire intestinal tract is sterile; the infant’s gut is first colonized by maternal and environmental bacteria during birth and continues to be populated through feeding and other contacts. By the end of the first year of life, the microbial profile is distinct for each infant; by the age of 2.5 years, the microbiota fully resembles the microbiota of an adult in terms of composition.
Following infancy, the composition of the intestinal microflora remains relatively constant until later life. It has been claimed that the composition of each individual’s flora is so distinctive that it could be used as an alternative to fingerprinting. The microbiota is thought to remain stable until old age when changes are seen, possibly related to alterations in digestive physiology and diet.
In humans, the composition of the microbiota is influenced not only by age but also by diet and socioeconomic conditions. In a recent study of elderly individuals, the interaction of diet and age was demonstrated, firstly, by a close relationship between diet and microbiota composition in the subjects and, secondly, by interactions between diet, the microbiota, and health status.
Antibiotics, whether prescribed or in the food chain as a result of their administration to animals, have the potential to profoundly impact the microbiota. In the past, it was thought that these effects were relatively transient, with complete recovery of the microbiota occurring very soon after the course of antibiotic therapy was complete. However, while recent studies have confirmed that recovery is fairly rapid for many species, some species and strains show more sustained effects.
At birth, the entire intestinal tract is sterile; the infant’s gut is first colonized by maternal and environmental bacteria during birth and continues to be populated through feeding and other contacts. By the end of the first year of life, the microbial profile is distinct for each infant; by the age of 2.5 years, the microbiota fully resembles the microbiota of an adult in terms of composition.
Following infancy, the composition of the intestinal microflora remains relatively constant until later life. It has been claimed that the composition of each individual’s flora is so distinctive that it could be used as an alternative to fingerprinting. The microbiota is thought to remain stable until old age when changes are seen, possibly related to alterations in digestive physiology and diet.
In humans, the composition of the microbiota is influenced not only by age but also by diet and socioeconomic conditions. In a recent study of elderly individuals, the interaction of diet and age was demonstrated, firstly, by a close relationship between diet and microbiota composition in the subjects and, secondly, by interactions between diet, the microbiota, and health status.
Antibiotics, whether prescribed or in the food chain as a result of their administration to animals, have the potential to profoundly impact the microbiota. In the past, it was thought that these effects were relatively transient, with complete recovery of the microbiota occurring very soon after the course of antibiotic therapy was complete. However, while recent studies have confirmed that recovery is fairly rapid for many species, some species and strains show more sustained effects.
Q1. Which of the following can be inferred about the stability of the microbiota in early adulthood?
A. The microbiota remains in a continuous state of flux during early adulthood due to frequent changes in environmental factors.
B. The microbiota reaches a composition that is largely stable after early childhood, with minimal changes until later life.
C. The microbiota is fully formed by the age of 2.5 years and experiences no further significant alterations, even during later stages of life.
D. The microbiota stabilizes in infancy but begins to gradually decline in diversity during early adulthood.
E. After early adulthood, the composition of the microbiota becomes highly unpredictable and varies significantly between individuals.
Q2. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that antibiotics have long-lasting effects on microbiota?
A. A study shows that all microbial species recover quickly after a course of antibiotics.
B. Evidence emerges that some species of microbiota never recover after repeated antibiotic exposure.
C. Research reveals that individuals who avoid antibiotics have similar microbiota compositions to those who take them.
D. A new class of antibiotics is discovered that does not affect the microbiota.
E. Dietary changes are shown to mitigate the effects of antibiotics on microbiota.
A. A study shows that all microbial species recover quickly after a course of antibiotics.
B. Evidence emerges that some species of microbiota never recover after repeated antibiotic exposure.
C. Research reveals that individuals who avoid antibiotics have similar microbiota compositions to those who take them.
D. A new class of antibiotics is discovered that does not affect the microbiota.
E. Dietary changes are shown to mitigate the effects of antibiotics on microbiota.
Q3. What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" in the context of the passage?
A. An organ within the digestive system that was previously thought to be of little importance to overall health.
B. A vital component of the body that plays a crucial role in health but was historically overlooked by the medical community.
C. A metaphor for the immune system’s interaction with gut bacteria, which has only recently been understood.
D. A term referring to the appendix, an organ once thought to have no significant function.
E. A collective term for all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
A. An organ within the digestive system that was previously thought to be of little importance to overall health.
B. A vital component of the body that plays a crucial role in health but was historically overlooked by the medical community.
C. A metaphor for the immune system’s interaction with gut bacteria, which has only recently been understood.
D. A term referring to the appendix, an organ once thought to have no significant function.
E. A collective term for all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Q4. If researchers were to find a significant change in the microbiota of middle-aged individuals, how would this finding relate to the passage?
A. It would confirm that microbiota composition is constantly changing throughout life.
B. It would contradict the passage’s assertion that the microbiota remains stable from 2.5 years until old age.
C. It would support the passage’s claim about diet and socioeconomic conditions influencing microbiota.
D. It would provide evidence that antibiotics permanently alter microbiota composition.
E. It would demonstrate that the microbiota resembles its early childhood form by middle age.
A. It would confirm that microbiota composition is constantly changing throughout life.
B. It would contradict the passage’s assertion that the microbiota remains stable from 2.5 years until old age.
C. It would support the passage’s claim about diet and socioeconomic conditions influencing microbiota.
D. It would provide evidence that antibiotics permanently alter microbiota composition.
E. It would demonstrate that the microbiota resembles its early childhood form by middle age.
10 Sep 2024, 09:44
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Here are the official solutions:
Q1. Which of the following can be inferred about the stability of the microbiota in early adulthood?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option is tempting because the passage mentions that diet and environmental factors can influence the microbiota. However, it overstates the frequency of change. The passage explicitly states that the microbiota remains relatively stable after early childhood and until later life.
o B: Correct. The passage clearly mentions that the microbiota resembles that of an adult by age 2.5 and remains relatively constant until old age, making this the best inference about its stability during early adulthood.
o C: This option is incorrect because while the microbiota does stabilize by age 2.5, the passage indicates that changes can still occur in later life, specifically during old age, making this too extreme a conclusion.
o D: This option introduces an incorrect idea. The passage mentions that changes in the microbiota are observed in old age, not during early adulthood. There is no mention of a gradual decline in diversity during early adulthood.
o E: The passage indicates that the microbiota remains relatively constant after early childhood until old age. This option incorrectly suggests a high degree of unpredictability after early adulthood, which is not supported by the passage.
Q2. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that antibiotics have long-lasting effects on microbiota?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option contradicts the argument by suggesting that the effects of antibiotics are not long-lasting. If all microbial species recover quickly, it would weaken the claim about sustained effects, not strengthen it.
o B: Correct. This option directly supports the argument that antibiotics have long-lasting effects by providing evidence that some species of microbiota never recover. This would solidify the notion that the impact of antibiotics on microbiota is persistent and potentially irreversible for certain species.
o C: This option weakens the argument. If individuals who avoid antibiotics have microbiota compositions similar to those who take antibiotics, it would suggest that antibiotics don’t have a significant long-term impact, weakening the claim.
o D: While the discovery of a new class of antibiotics that doesn't affect microbiota is interesting, it doesn't strengthen the argument about long-lasting effects of existing antibiotics. It introduces a different, unrelated development.
o E: This option suggests that the negative effects of antibiotics can be mitigated through dietary changes, which implies that the effects are not necessarily long-lasting. This would weaken, rather than strengthen, the argument by suggesting that the impact is reversible.
Q3. What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" in the context of the passage?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option seems plausible, as it mentions the digestive system, but it is incorrect. The "forgotten organ" refers to the microbiota as a whole, not to a specific organ within the digestive system.
o B: Correct. The author uses "forgotten organ" as a metaphor to highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiota, which has historically been overlooked but is now recognized as essential for health.
o C: This option misinterprets the phrase. While the immune system's interaction with gut bacteria is discussed in the passage, the term "forgotten organ" specifically refers to the microbiota itself, not just the immune response.
o D: This option is misleading. The passage does not refer to the appendix as the "forgotten organ." While the appendix is part of the digestive system, the term here clearly applies to the microbiota.
o E: This option is too broad. While the microbiota includes various microorganisms, the passage specifically highlights the gut microbiota, not all microorganisms in the body, as the "forgotten organ."
Q4. If researchers were to find a significant change in the microbiota of middle-aged individuals, how would this finding relate to the passage?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option is incorrect because the passage asserts that the microbiota remains relatively stable after early childhood and only changes significantly in old age. While diet and other factors can influence microbiota, the passage does not suggest that the composition is constantly changing throughout life.
o B: Correct. The passage claims that microbiota composition remains stable after infancy until old age. Finding a significant change in middle-aged individuals would contradict this claim, making this option the strongest answer.
o C: This option is tempting because the passage mentions that diet and socioeconomic conditions can influence microbiota. However, the passage still maintains that microbiota remains stable until old age, so this discovery would contradict that, not support it.
o D: This option is irrelevant to the question. The passage mentions antibiotics as one factor that influences microbiota, but the question is about age-related changes, not the impact of antibiotics.
o E: This option misinterprets the passage. The passage does not suggest that microbiota returns to its early childhood form at any point in adulthood. Instead, it emphasizes that microbiota stabilizes after infancy and remains so until old age.
Q1. Which of the following can be inferred about the stability of the microbiota in early adulthood?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option is tempting because the passage mentions that diet and environmental factors can influence the microbiota. However, it overstates the frequency of change. The passage explicitly states that the microbiota remains relatively stable after early childhood and until later life.
o B: Correct. The passage clearly mentions that the microbiota resembles that of an adult by age 2.5 and remains relatively constant until old age, making this the best inference about its stability during early adulthood.
o C: This option is incorrect because while the microbiota does stabilize by age 2.5, the passage indicates that changes can still occur in later life, specifically during old age, making this too extreme a conclusion.
o D: This option introduces an incorrect idea. The passage mentions that changes in the microbiota are observed in old age, not during early adulthood. There is no mention of a gradual decline in diversity during early adulthood.
o E: The passage indicates that the microbiota remains relatively constant after early childhood until old age. This option incorrectly suggests a high degree of unpredictability after early adulthood, which is not supported by the passage.
Q2. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that antibiotics have long-lasting effects on microbiota?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option contradicts the argument by suggesting that the effects of antibiotics are not long-lasting. If all microbial species recover quickly, it would weaken the claim about sustained effects, not strengthen it.
o B: Correct. This option directly supports the argument that antibiotics have long-lasting effects by providing evidence that some species of microbiota never recover. This would solidify the notion that the impact of antibiotics on microbiota is persistent and potentially irreversible for certain species.
o C: This option weakens the argument. If individuals who avoid antibiotics have microbiota compositions similar to those who take antibiotics, it would suggest that antibiotics don’t have a significant long-term impact, weakening the claim.
o D: While the discovery of a new class of antibiotics that doesn't affect microbiota is interesting, it doesn't strengthen the argument about long-lasting effects of existing antibiotics. It introduces a different, unrelated development.
o E: This option suggests that the negative effects of antibiotics can be mitigated through dietary changes, which implies that the effects are not necessarily long-lasting. This would weaken, rather than strengthen, the argument by suggesting that the impact is reversible.
Q3. What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" in the context of the passage?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option seems plausible, as it mentions the digestive system, but it is incorrect. The "forgotten organ" refers to the microbiota as a whole, not to a specific organ within the digestive system.
o B: Correct. The author uses "forgotten organ" as a metaphor to highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiota, which has historically been overlooked but is now recognized as essential for health.
o C: This option misinterprets the phrase. While the immune system's interaction with gut bacteria is discussed in the passage, the term "forgotten organ" specifically refers to the microbiota itself, not just the immune response.
o D: This option is misleading. The passage does not refer to the appendix as the "forgotten organ." While the appendix is part of the digestive system, the term here clearly applies to the microbiota.
o E: This option is too broad. While the microbiota includes various microorganisms, the passage specifically highlights the gut microbiota, not all microorganisms in the body, as the "forgotten organ."
Q4. If researchers were to find a significant change in the microbiota of middle-aged individuals, how would this finding relate to the passage?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
o A: This option is incorrect because the passage asserts that the microbiota remains relatively stable after early childhood and only changes significantly in old age. While diet and other factors can influence microbiota, the passage does not suggest that the composition is constantly changing throughout life.
o B: Correct. The passage claims that microbiota composition remains stable after infancy until old age. Finding a significant change in middle-aged individuals would contradict this claim, making this option the strongest answer.
o C: This option is tempting because the passage mentions that diet and socioeconomic conditions can influence microbiota. However, the passage still maintains that microbiota remains stable until old age, so this discovery would contradict that, not support it.
o D: This option is irrelevant to the question. The passage mentions antibiotics as one factor that influences microbiota, but the question is about age-related changes, not the impact of antibiotics.
o E: This option misinterprets the passage. The passage does not suggest that microbiota returns to its early childhood form at any point in adulthood. Instead, it emphasizes that microbiota stabilizes after infancy and remains so until old age.
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