Nanotechnology -- the use of structures that have unusual properties

Question

Nanotechnology -- the use of structures that have unusual properties because of their atomically tiny size – is already in use in more than 300 consumer products, from computers to cosmetics, but like atomic power itself, this new technology holds great promise as well as alarming possibilities. Determining the safety level of products that utilize nanotechnology is the daunting task of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One reason that regulating nanotech products is so challenging is that nanoparticles, though they consist of the same chemicals as traditional products, have physical structures that give them very different properties, and they can enter the body by means other than those used by other small particles.

The actual method by which nanoparticles are created is relevant as well. For example, carbon can be used to create fullerenes, but there is more than one way to manufacture these nanoparticles, and each way leads to a fullerene with different characteristics. \ Because of this, some research has identified fullerenes as anti-oxidants, which are useful for treating cells by neutralizing free radicals, while other research shows fullerenes to be oxidants, which can damage cell membranes. Similarly, nanoparticles show great potential in cleaning up environmental contaminants, but these particles themselves might become nearly intractable long-term pollutants.

Some recent research has been truly alarming. Carbon nanotubes placed directly into the lungs of mice stimulated an immune response that left scar tissue. A similar experiment with a single-walled carbon nanotube soot mixture caused granulomas and lesions in the rats’ lungs, and proved fatal for 15% of the rats. (It should be noted that these experiments involved instilling the nanomaterials into the lungs; more experiments are needed involving inhalation.) Another consideration is that when studying the effects of nanomaterials, more than with typical chemicals, it is not enough to study a nanoparticle in a vacuum; all physical and chemical characteristics have to be microanalyzed by studying a material’s reactivity, solubility, and biological persistence under real world conditions.

Because the costs and benefits of nanotech research are so high, international cooperation among governments and businesses is essential to success. Currently, the U.S. is underfunding research in this field, and this could have calamitous results. The Toxic Substances Control Act is insufficient for covering many of the dangers unique to nanotech materials. Furthermore, not all nations have even created a set of regulations for nanotechnology, also a serious mistake. A product that reaches the market before it has been thoroughly understood could prove harmful to individual users and whole populations that have had only minimal exposure. This could so turn public opinion against nanotechnology that its tantalizing benefits would be indefinitely postponed.   1 
 1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding recent research on nanoparticles?

(A) It has been done mostly in a vacuum without consideration for what happens under real world conditions.
(B) Further experiments are required to adequately judge particular risks that have been identified.
(C) It has been too narrowly focused on older nanoparticles, rather than the newer nanoparticles that will be used in the future.
(D) It has created a generally negative sentiment in the general public regarding nanoparticles.
(E) It has shown that carbon nanotubes are particularly dangerous in comparison to other types of nanoparticles.

2 
 2. Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

(A) A majority of nations lack the adequate regulations for making nanotechnology safe.
(B) Nanotechnology should be banned in the U.S. unless it can be properly regulated by the EPA.
(C) Successful research in nanotechnology depends on cooperation among governments and businesses.
(D) The way nanoparticles are formed is the most important element in determining its safety.
(E) The potential benefits of nanotechnology outweigh the potential risks.

3 
 3. According to the passage, which of the following contributes to the complexity of regulating nanomaterials?

(A) The EPA does not have the proper funding with which to create these materials.
(B) More than one method can be used to create a nanoparticle.
(C) Nations have conflicting standards concerning the safety of nanotech products.
(D) Public opinion is currently divided regarding the desirability of products made with nanomaterials.
(E) Products that contain nanomaterials are already being used by individuals and businesses.

prashant6923 · Answer

Could someone explain why Answer to Q2 is C and not D?

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
Please refer to the first line of the second paragraph - ''The actual method by which nanoparticles are created is relevant as well.'' It means it is not the most important element but an additional element.
Consider first line of paragraph 4 - ''Because the costs and benefits of nanotech research are so high, international cooperation among governments and businesses is essential to success. ''
Answer C.
Hope its clear.

rinkumaa4 · Answer

why the answer of 3rd Q is B?

Can someone expain?

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
Refer to the last sentence of the 1st para - '' One reason that regulating nanotech products is so challenging is that nanoparticles , though they consist of the same chemicals as traditional products, have physical structures that give them very different properties,.......''.
Please refer to the first sentence of the 2nd para - ''The actual method by which nanoparticles are created is relevant as well.'' 
So, it also makes regulating nanoparticles challenging.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2) Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

Since no specificity is given in the question stem, you need to go find each individual answer and decide if it is a proper inference. In this problem, most of the incorrect answers are discussed somewhere in the passage, but they are distorted with wordplay so that they cannot be properly inferred.

For  (A) , you learn in the last paragraph that  “not all nations have even created a set of regulations for nanotechnology,”  so that statement guarantees that at least one nation does not have adequate regulations. This, however, does not allow you to conclude that  “a majority”  of nations lack adequate regulations.

(B)  goes far outside the boundaries of the passage, as the author makes no suggestion that nanotechnology should be banned under any circumstances. While the tone in the passage suggests the author might agree with this statement, there is absolutely no evidence given for it.

For  (D) , the  2nd paragraph  shows that the way nanoparticles are formed is indeed an important element in determining their safety. However, the passage does not give you any information about how that one element compares in importance to any other. In inference questions, you should always be wary of answer choices that make comparisons – make sure that comparison can actually be proved from the passage.

For  (E) , the author emphasizes in multiple places that nanotechnology offers both benefits and risks, but does not give an opinion on which is more significant.

For  correct answer (C) , you can find concrete proof for this at the start of the final paragraph. The first sentence states:  “Because the costs and benefits of nanotech research are so high, international cooperation among governments and businesses is essential to success.”  Since those two elements are given as essential to success, you know that successful research depends on cooperation.

Answer: C

iamjayysingh · Answer

Can someone pls explain why for question 1 the correct answer is B not A?

guddo · Answer

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding recent research on nanoparticles?

The passage says recent nanoparticle research has produced alarming results, especially in animal lung experiments. But it also says those experiments used direct instillation into the lungs, so more experiments involving inhalation are needed.  The key point  is that some risks have been identified, but  more testing is needed to understand them properly .

(A) It has been done mostly in a vacuum without consideration for what happens under real world conditions.

Wrong. The passage says researchers should not study nanoparticles in a vacuum, but it does not say recent research has mostly been done that way.

(B) Further experiments are required to adequately judge particular risks that have been identified.

Correct. The passage says the lung experiments were alarming, but also notes that more inhalation experiments are needed. So further research is required to evaluate those specific risks properly.

(C) It has been too narrowly focused on older nanoparticles, rather than the newer nanoparticles that will be used in the future.

Wrong. The passage does not contrast older and newer nanoparticles.

(D) It has created a generally negative sentiment in the general public regarding nanoparticles.

Wrong. The passage warns that a harmful product could turn public opinion against nanotechnology, but it does not say recent research has already done so.

(E) It has shown that carbon nanotubes are particularly dangerous in comparison to other types of nanoparticles.

Wrong. The passage describes harmful results involving carbon nanotubes, but it does not compare them with other nanoparticles.

Answer: (B)

Nanotechnology -- the use of structures that have unusual properties

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Nanotechnology -- the use of structures that have unusual properties

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