One scientific discipline, during its early stages of development, is

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 103, Date : 24-MAR-2019
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One scientific discipline, during its early stages of development, is often related to another as an antithesis to its thesis. The thesis discipline tend to concern itself with discovery and classification of phenomena, to offer holistic explanations emphasizing pattern and form, and to use existing theory to explain the widest possible range of phenomena. The paired or antidiscipline, on the other hand, can be characterized by a more focused approach, concentrating on the units of construction, and by a belief that the discipline can be reformulated in terms of the issues and explanations of the antidiscipline.

The relationship of cytology (cell biology) to biochemistry in the late nineteenth century, when both disciplines were growing at a rapid pace, exemplifies such a pattern. Researchers in cell biology found mounting evidence of an intricate cell architecture. They also deduced the mysterious choreography of the chromosomes during cell division. Many biochemists, on the other hand, remained skeptical of the idea that so much structure existed, arguing that the chemical reactions that occur in cytological preparations might create the appearance of such structures.  Also, they stood apart from the debate then raging over whether protoplasm, the complex of living material within a cell, is homogeneous, networklike, granular, or foamlike . Their interest lay in the core “fundamental” issues of the chemical nature of protoplasm, especially the newly formulated enzyme theory of life.

In general, biochemists judged cytologists to be too ignorant of chemistry to grasp the basic processes, whereas cytologists considered the methods of biochemists inadequate to characterize the structures of the living cell. The renewal of Mendelian genetics and, later, progress in chromosome mapping did little at first to effect a synthesis.

Both sides were essentially correct. Biochemistry has more than justified its extravagant early claims by explaining so much of the cellular machinery. But in achieving this feat (mostly since 1950) it has been partially transformed into the new discipline of molecular biology—biochemistry that deals with spatial arrangements and movements of large molecules. At the same time cytology has metamorphosed into modern cellular biology. Aided by electron microscopy, it has become more similar in language and outlook to molecular biology. The interaction of a discipline and its antidiscipline has moved both sciences toward a synthesis, namely molecular genetics.

This interaction between paired disciplines can have important results. In the case of late nineteenth-century cell research, progress was fueled by competition among the various attitudes and issues derived from cell biology and biochemistry. Joseph  Fruton , a biochemist, has suggested that such competition and the resulting tensions among researchers are a principal source of vitality and “are likely to lead to unexpected and exciting novelties in the future, as they have in the past.”   1 
 B 
 1. Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?

(A) Antithetical scientific disciplines can both stimulate and hinder one another’s research in complex ways.
(B) Antithetical scientific disciplines often interact with one another in ways that can be highly useful.
(C) As disciplines such as cytology and biochemistry advance, their interaction necessarily leads to a synthesis of their approaches.
(D) Cell research in the late nineteenth century was plagued by disagreements between cytologists and biochemists.
(E) In the late nineteenth century, cytologists and biochemists made many valuable discoveries that advanced scientific understanding of the cell.

2 
 E 
 2. The passage states that in the late nineteenth century cytologists deduced the

(A) maps of chromosomes
(B) chemical nature of protoplasm
(C) spatial relationship of molecules within the cell
(D) role of enzymes in biological processes
(E) sequence of the movement of chromosomes during cell division

3 
 A 
 3. It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm ( Highlighted ) was most likely carried on

(A) among cytologists
(B) among biochemists
(C) between cytologists and biochemists
(D) between cytologists and geneticists
(E) between biochemists and geneticists

4 
 B 
 4. According to the passage, cytologists in the late nineteenth century were critical of the cell research of biochemists because cytologists believed that

(A) the methods of biochemistry were inadequate to account for all of the chemical reactions that occurred in cytological preparations
(B) the methods of biochemistry could not adequately discover and explain the structures of living cells
(C) biochemists were not interested in the nature of protoplasm
(D) biochemists were not interested in cell division
(E) biochemists were too ignorant of cytology to understand the basic processes of the cell

5 
 A 
 5. The author quotes Fruton ( Highlighted ) primarily in order to

(A) restate the author’s own conclusions
(B) provide new evidence about the relationship of cytology to biochemistry
(C) summarize the position of the biochemists described in the passage
(D) illustrate the difficulties encountered in the synthesis of disciplines
(E) emphasize the ascendancy of the theories of biochemists over those of cytologists

6 
 A 
 6. Which one of the following inferences about when the enzyme theory of life was formulated can be drawn from the passage?

(A) The theory was formulated before the appearance of molecular biology.
(B) The theory was formulated before the initial discovery of cell architecture.
(C) The theory was formulated after the completion of chromosome mapping.
(D) The theory was formulated after a synthesis of the ideas of cytologists and biochemists had occurred.
(E) The theory was formulated at the same time as the beginning of the debate over the nature of protoplasm.

7 
 B 
 7. Which one of the following statements about cells is most compatible with the views of late nineteenth-century biochemists as those views are described in the passage?

(A) The secret of cell function resides in the structure of the cell.
(B) Only by discovering the chemical composition of protoplasm can the processes of the cell be understood.
(C) Scientific knowledge about the chemical composition of the cell can help to explain behavioral patterns in organisms.
(D) The most important issue to be resolved with regard to the cell is determining the physical characteristics of protoplasm.
(E) The methods of chemistry must be supplemented before a full account of the cell’s structures can be made.

8 
 C 
 8. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?

(A) An account of a process is given, and then the reason for its occurrence is stated.
(B) A set of examples is provided and then a conclusion is drawn from them.
(C) A general proposition is stated, and then an example is given.
(D) A statement of principles is made, and then a rationale for them is debated.
(E) A problem is analyzed, and then a possible solution is discussed.

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 1   ( June 1991 ) 
 Difficulty Level:   700

jawele · Answer

1. Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?
(A) Antithetical scientific disciplines can both stimulate and hinder one another’s research in complex ways. may be true, but hindering is not proposed in the passage
(B) Antithetical scientific disciplines often interact with one another in ways that can be highly useful.
(C) As disciplines such as cytology and biochemistry advance, their interaction necessarily leads to a synthesis of their approaches. cytology and biochemistry are only examples and constitute only a part of the main idea; "necessarily" is a stretch
(D) Cell research in the late nineteenth century was plagued by disagreements between cytologists and biochemists. the scope of this seem to encompass the second and third para
(E) In the late nineteenth century, cytologists and biochemists made many valuable discoveries that advanced scientific understanding of the cell. this seems to allude only to the last para

2. The passage states that in the late nineteenth century cytologists deduced the
Relevant text: <...> in the late nineteenth century, when <...>. They also deduced the mysterious choreography of the chromosomes during cell division.
(A) maps of chromosomes comes only after the discussion of the discovery and the the passage does not say who developed the map
(B) chemical nature of protoplasm this is a concern of biochemists
(C) spatial relationship of molecules within the cell comes later in the passage and is a concern of molecular biology
(D) role of enzymes in biological processes again - biochemists
(E) sequence of the movement of chromosomes during cell division

3. It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm (Highlighted) was most likely carried on
Relevant text: Also, they stood apart from the debate then raging over whether protoplasm <...>
(A) among cytologists correct: since the second para is concerned about the difference between the two disciplines (thesis and antithesis), it can be inferred that biochemists shied away from the debate while cytologists participated in it
(B) among biochemists
(C) between cytologists and biochemists
(D) between cytologists and geneticists
(E) between biochemists and geneticists

4. According to the passage, cytologists in the late nineteenth century were critical of the cell research of biochemists because cytologists believed that
Relevant text: In general, <...> , whereas cytologists considered the methods of biochemists inadequate to characterize the structures of the living cell.
(A) the methods of biochemistry were inadequate to account for all of the chemical reactions that occurred in cytological preparations if anything, chemical reactions was a concern of biochemists
(B) the methods of biochemistry could not adequately discover and explain the structures of living cells correct
(C) biochemists were not interested in the nature of protoplasm
(D) biochemists were not interested in cell division
(E) biochemists were too ignorant of cytology to understand the basic processes of the cell

5. The author quotes Fruton (Highlighted) primarily in order to
Relevant text: This interaction between paired disciplines can have important results. <...> Joseph Fruton, a biochemist, has suggested that such competition and the resulting tensions among researchers are a principal source of vitality and “are likely to lead to unexpected and exciting novelties in the future, as they have in the past.”
(A) restate the author’s own conclusions this pretty much sums up the citation
(B) provide new evidence about the relationship of cytology to biochemistry
(C) summarize the position of the biochemists described in the passage
(D) illustrate the difficulties encountered in the synthesis of disciplines
(E) emphasize the ascendancy of the theories of biochemists over those of cytologists don't know what "ascendancy" means, but "over" suggests that inequality of the theories, something that is different from the last para

6. Which one of the following inferences about when the enzyme theory of life was formulated can be drawn from the passage?
Relevant text: The relationship of cytology (cell biology) to biochemistry in the late nineteenth century, <...> Their [biochemist] interest lay in the core “fundamental” issues of the chemical nature of protoplasm, especially the newly formulated enzyme theory of life. <...> But in achieving this feat (mostly since 1950) it has been partially transformed into the new discipline of molecular biology
(A) The theory was formulated before the appearance of molecular biology. correct
(B) The theory was formulated before the initial discovery of cell architecture.
(C) The theory was formulated after the completion of chromosome mapping.
(D) The theory was formulated after a synthesis of the ideas of cytologists and biochemists had occurred. clearly wrong
(E) The theory was formulated at the same time as the beginning of the debate over the nature of protoplasm.

7. Which one of the following statements about cells is most compatible with the views of late nineteenth-century biochemists as those views are described in the passage?
Relevant text: Many biochemists, on the other hand, remained skeptical of the idea that so much structure existed, arguing that the chemical reactions that occur in cytological preparations might create the appearance of such structures. <...> Their interest lay in the core “fundamental” issues of the chemical nature of protoplasm, especially the newly formulated enzyme theory of life.
(A) The secret of cell function resides in the structure of the cell.
(B) Only by discovering the chemical composition of protoplasm can the processes of the cell be understood. correct
(C) Scientific knowledge about the chemical composition of the cell can help to explain behavioral patterns in organisms.
(D) The most important issue to be resolved with regard to the cell is determining the physical characteristics of protoplasm.
(E) The methods of chemistry must be supplemented before a full account of the cell’s structures can be made. suggest that they would undermine their own approach

8. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?
(A) An account of a process is given, and then the reason for its occurrence is stated.
(B) A set of examples is provided and then a conclusion is drawn from them.
(C) A general proposition is stated, and then an example is given. correct
(D) A statement of principles is made, and then a rationale for them is debated.
(E) A problem is analyzed, and then a possible solution is discussed.

auradediligodo · Answer

Hi everyone,
Took 17 minutes and got 7/8 correct. Took 5 minutes to read the passage, write down paragraphs summaries and main point.

P1: athetesis and thesis mechanism
P2: CT & BC 
P3: CT & BC' view of each others
P4: CT and BC are both correct
P5: Benefits of this interaction

MP: To explain the scientific principle of thesis and antithesis through CT and BC

1 . Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to the main point above

(A) Antithetical scientific disciplines can both stimulate and hinder one another’s research in complex ways.
 Here  hinder  is inconsistent. Hence incorrect

(B) Antithetical scientific disciplines often interact with one another in ways that can be highly useful.
 That's how it worked out for CT and BC. Hence correct

(C) As disciplines such as cytology and biochemistry advance, their interaction necessarily leads to a synthesis of their approaches.
 Necessarily doesn't work here. Nowhere is mentioned such thing. Hence incorrect

(D) Cell research in the late nineteenth century was plagued by disagreements between cytologists and biochemists.
 Definitely not the main point. The passage is trying to prove the benefits of the interaction and not to highlight a debate. Hence incorrect

(E) In the late nineteenth century, cytologists and biochemists made many valuable discoveries that advanced scientific understanding of the cell.
 This is just a fact and the passage wants to explain a scientific principle. Hence incorrect

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 2.  The passage states that in the late nineteenth century cytologists deduced the

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to P2 to answer this question.
Citologysts discovered: 
#1 importance of the architecture of the cell
#2 deduction of the choreography of C during cell division

(A) maps of chromosomes
 maps never mentioned. Hence incorrect

(B) chemical nature of protoplasm
 Protoplasm is subject of a debate. Plus the chemical nature is not the issue at hand; the physical nature is! Hence incorrect

(C) spatial relationship of molecules within the cell
 Spatial relationships are not discussed in this paragraph. Hence incorrect

(D) role of enzymes in biological processes
 not mentioned in this paragraph. Hence incorrect

(E) sequence of the movement of chromosomes during cell division
 In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 3.  It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm (Highlighted) was most likely carried on

Pre-thinking:
 In this paragraph Biochemists are presented in contrast to Cytologists. They didn't agree with the structure deduced by CTs and then in the highlighted portion they stood away from a debate. Now we can infer that Cytologists were part of that debate.

(A) among cytologists
 In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct

(B) among biochemists
 Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect.

(C) between cytologists and biochemists
 Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect.

(D) between cytologists and geneticists
 Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect.

(E) between biochemists and geneticists
 Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 4.  According to the passage, cytologists in the late nineteenth century were critical of the cell research of biochemists because cytologists believed that

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to P3 to answer this question. "whereas cytologists considered the methods of biochemists inadequate to characterize the structures of the living cell."

(A) the methods of biochemistry were inadequate to account for all of the chemical reactions that occurred in cytological preparations
 Inconsistent because of "the chemical reactions that occurred in cytological preparations" which does not represent in what BC were inadequate. Hence incorrect

(B) the methods of biochemistry could not adequately discover and explain the structures of living cells
 In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct

(C) biochemists were not interested in the nature of protoplasm
 not in line with pre- thinking. Hence incorrect

(D) biochemists were not interested in cell division
 not in line with pre- thinking. Hence incorrect

(E) biochemists were too ignorant of cytology to understand the basic processes of the cell
 not in line with pre- thinking. Plus inconsistent because of ignorant. They just didn't have the means. Hence incorrect

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
 5.  The author quotes Fruton (Highlighted) primarily in order to

Pre-thinking:
 State the benefits of the relation CT-BC

(A) restate the author’s own conclusions
 Indeed the author conclusion is to state the benefits of the relation CT-BC. Hence correct

(B) provide new evidence about the relationship of cytology to biochemistry
 No new evidence is presented. Hence incorrect

(C) summarize the position of the biochemists described in the passage
 not in line with pre- thinking. Hence incorrect

(D) illustrate the difficulties encountered in the synthesis of disciplines
 not in line with pre- thinking. Hence incorrect

(E) emphasize the ascendancy of the theories of biochemists over those of cytologists
 not in line with pre- thinking. Hence incorrect

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 6.  Which one of the following inferences about when the enzyme theory of life was formulated can be drawn from the passage?

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to P2 t answer this question. "Their interest lay in the core “fundamental” issues of the chemical nature of protoplasm, especially the newly formulated enzyme theory of life."

(A) The theory was formulated before the appearance of molecular biology.
 P2 is about the 19th century right? When the author introduces molecular genetics we are already in the 20th century if you look at the temporary indicators in the passage. Hence correct

(B) The theory was formulated before the initial discovery of cell architecture.
 Cannot infer that from the information given in P2. Hence incorrect

(C) The theory was formulated after the completion of chromosome mapping.
 Cannot be inferred by the information given. Hence incorrect

(D) The theory was formulated after a synthesis of the ideas of cytologists and biochemists had occurred.
 The synthesis was after the theory. Hence incorrect

(E) The theory was formulated at the same time as the beginning of the debate over the nature of protoplasm.
 The beginning of the debate is not an information given to us. Hence incorrect

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7.  Which one of the following statements about cells is most compatible with the views of late nineteenth-century biochemists as those views are described in the passage?

Pre-thinking:
 refer to P2 and especially to "arguing that the chemical reactions that occur in cytological preparations might create the appearance of such structures" and to "Their interest lay in the core “fundamental” issues of the chemical nature of protoplasm, especially the newly formulated enzyme theory of life."

(A) The secret of cell function resides in the structure of the cell.
 Never mentioned. Hence incorrect

(B) Only by discovering the chemical composition of protoplasm can the processes of the cell be understood.
 Seems in line with the second portion mentioned in pre-thinking. Hence correct

(C) Scientific knowledge about the chemical composition of the cell can help to explain behavioral patterns in organisms.
 Behavioral pattern are out of our concern . Hence incorrect

(D) The most important issue to be resolved with regard to the cell is determining the physical characteristics of protoplasm.
 This was the concern of Cytologists. Hence incorrect

(E) The methods of chemistry must be supplemented before a full account of the cell’s structures can be made.
 Completely out of scope. Hence incorrect.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 8.  Which one of the following best describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to the paragraphs' summaries and to main point above.

(A) An account of a process is given, and then the reason for its occurrence is stated.
 A principle is presented, not a process. Plus no reason but examples. Hence incorrect

(B) A set of examples is provided and then a conclusion is drawn from them.
 Just one example is given. Hence incorrect

(C) A general proposition is stated, and then an example is given.
 Yes. The general proposition is the scientific principle, which is explained through an example. Hence correct

(D) A statement of principles is made, and then a rationale for them is debated.
 No rationale is debated. Hence incorrect

(E) A problem is analyzed, and then a possible solution is discussed.
 No problem analyzed and hence no solution needed. Hence incorrect

It is a good day to be alive, cheers!

Diya52 · Answer

Hi  SajjadAhmad ,

Can you please post the official explanations for Q3 and Q7?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm (Highlighted) was most likely carried on

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

If biochemists  “stood apart”  from the late nineteenth-century debate about the structural nature of protoplasm (as highlighted lines say), then it stands to reason that the debate must have taken place among cytologists.

(B), (C), (E)  Again, highlighted lines say that late nineteenth-century biochemists avoided  “the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm.”

(D)  is out for the simple reason that the passage never even mentions  “geneticists,”  let alone late nineteenth-century geneticists.

Answer: A

7. Which one of the following statements about cells is most compatible with the views of late nineteenth-century biochemists as those views are described in the passage?

Difficulty Level:   700-750

Explanation

Lines  Their interest lay in the more “fundamental” issues of the chemical nature of protoplasm, especially the newly formulated enzyme theory of life. (A) and (D)  Late nineteenth-century cytologists, not late nineteenth-century biochemists, were concerned with the structure of the cell (A) and the physical traits of protoplasm (D).

(C) and (E)  are beyond the scope of the passage. There’s no mention of what late nineteenth century biochemists may have thought about the  “behavioral patterns of organisms” (C).  Nor is there any discussion about whether they thought chemistry was inadequate for the task of understanding the cell  (E).

Answer: B

Hope it helps

lynnglenda · Answer

Cell Biology
 Topic and Scope:  The relationship between cell biology (cytology) and biochemistry; specifically, how the two disciplines have affected each other over the last century.
 Purpose and Main Idea:  The author’s purpose is to describe and evaluate the historical interaction between cell biology and biochemistry. The author’s main idea is to argue that the interaction between these two disciplines has lead to progress in both of them.
Paragraph Structure: ¶1 notes that two scientific disciplines concerned with the same general topic are often in conflict with each other in their early stages of development because of their different approaches to the topic. One discipline takes a “macro” approach to the topic, while the other discipline takes a “micro” approach.
¶s 2 and 3 go on to describe a particular historical case of conflict between two related scientific disciplines: cell biology and biochemistry. ¶4 explains that the claims of both disciplines have essentially been borne out, leading to a synthesis of the two in the form of the new discipline of molecular genetics.
¶5 summarizes the author’s main idea: competition between these related scientific disciplines has been useful, for it has generated important scientific discoveries.

The Big Picture: 
• Whenever a passage compares/contrasts entities—as this passage does—make sure that you can distinguish between (among) the entities. The questions will certainly test if you can tell them apart.
• Don’t let unfamiliar scientific terms or concepts throw you. As you read, boil a science passage’s ideas down to their essence. If you simplify things as you go, the questions will be much less intimidating.

The Questions:
1. Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?
(A) Antithetical scientific disciplines can both stimulate and hinder one another’s research in complex ways.
(B) Antithetical scientific disciplines often interact with one another in ways that can be highly useful.
(C) As disciplines such as cytology and biochemistry advance, their interaction necessarily leads to a synthesis of their approaches.
(D) Cell research in the late nineteenth century was plagued by disagreements between cytologists and biochemists.
(E) In the late nineteenth century, cytologists and biochemists made many valuable discoveries that advanced scientific understanding of the cell.
 (B) After reviewing (in ¶s 1-3) the process by which related scientific disciplines interact, ¶s 4 and 5 go on to argue that this interaction is often scientifically beneficial. 
(A) Neither the author’s general discussion of the interaction between related scientific disciplines nor his specific example of the interaction between cell biology and biochemistry suggests that this interaction has negative consequences for the advancement of science.
(C) The author doesn’t go so far as to contend that the interaction between related disciplines necessarily leads to a synthesis of their approaches in all cases. After all, he only looks at one case.
(D) This choice focuses on details in ¶s 2 and 3.
(E) This choice focuses on a detail in ¶5.
 • In “global” questions, watch out for choices that focus on one part of the passage rather than on the entire passage.

2. The passage states that in the late nineteenth century cytologists deduced the
(A) maps of chromosomes
(B) chemical nature of protoplasm
(C) spatial relationship of molecules within the cell
(D) role of enzymes in biological processes
(E) sequence of the movement of chromosomes during cell division
 (E) This choice nicely paraphrases lines 19-21. 
(A) Line 39 mentions “chromosome mapping,” but suggests that this may not have been a late nineteenth-century development. Moreover, it’s not clear whether cytologists or biochemists did the mapping.
(B) and (D) According to lines 29-32, late nineteenth-century biochemists, not cytologists, were concerned with the “chemical nature of protoplasm” (B) and the “role of enzymes in biological processes” (D).
(C) According to ¶4, biochemists, not cytologists, deal with the “spatial relationship of molecules within the cell.” Moreover, this issue has been the focus of post-1950 biochemists.
 • This question illustrates the importance of checking back with the passage about details. All of the choices might have looked very tempting if you didn’t consult ¶s 2-4.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm (Highlighted) was most likely carried on
(A) among cytologists
(B) among biochemists
(C) between cytologists and biochemists
(D) between cytologists and geneticists
(E) between biochemists and geneticists
 (A) If biochemists “stood apart” from the late nineteenth-century debate about the structural nature of protoplasm (as lines 25-29 say), then it stands to reason that the debate must have taken place among cytologists. 
(B), (C), (E) Again, lines 25-29 say that late nineteenth-century biochemists avoided “the debate over the structural nature of protoplasm.”
(D) is out for the simple reason that the passage never even mentions “geneticists,” let alone late nineteenth-century geneticists.
 • Sometimes questions can be answered through a process of elimination. If it wasn’t immediately clear to you that the debate took place among cytologists, you could have eliminated choices (B)-(E) by recognizing that neither biochemists nor geneticists were involved in the debate.

4. According to the passage, cytologists in the late nineteenth century were critical of the cell research of biochemists because cytologists believed that
(A) the methods of biochemistry were inadequate to account for all of the chemical reactions that occurred in cytological preparations
(B) the methods of biochemistry could not adequately discover and explain the structures of living cells
(C) biochemists were not interested in the nature of protoplasm
(D) biochemists were not interested in cell division
(E) biochemists were too ignorant of cytology to understand the basic processes of the cell
 (B) This choice nicely paraphrases lines 35-37. 
(A) The chemical reactions that occur in cytological preparations (lines 23-24) were an issue raised by late nineteenth-century biochemists, not late nineteenth-century cytologists.
(C) According to lines 29-31, late nineteenth-century biochemists were interested in the “nature of protoplasm.”
(D) The only mention of “cell division” occurs in lines 20-21, and this reference has nothing to do with the criticism of late nineteenth-century biochemists leveled by late nineteenth-century cytologists.
(E) Late nineteenth-century cytologists criticized the methods, not the knowledge, of late nineteenth-century biochemists.
 • A common “trap” choice is the answer choice that uses the passage’s language but distorts the passage’s ideas. Such choices are especially common in science passages, which often contain complex language and unfamiliar terminology.

5. The author quotes Fruton (Highlighted) primarily in order to
(A) restate the author’s own conclusions
(B) provide new evidence about the relationship of cytology to biochemistry
(C) summarize the position of the biochemists described in the passage
(D) illustrate the difficulties encountered in the synthesis of disciplines
(E) emphasize the ascendancy of the theories of biochemists over those of cytologists
 (A) The first sentence of ¶5 contains the author’s main idea: “  interaction between paired disciplines can have important   results.” A few lines later, the author quotes a similar remark by Fruton. The author, in other words, quotes Fruton in order to reinforce the author’s own conclusion. 
(B), (C), (E) Fruton’s remark is general in nature; it doesn’t refer specifically to cytology or biochemistry.
(D) Like the author, Fruton believes that competition between disciplines generates progress, not problems.
 • Wrong choices are often wrong for the same reason. In this case, note that choices (B), (C), and (E) all incorrectly claim that Fruton’s remark applies to the specific case of cytology and biochemistry.

6. Which one of the following inferences about when the enzyme theory of life was formulated can be drawn from the passage?
(A) The theory was formulated before the appearance of molecular biology.
(B) The theory was formulated before the initial discovery of cell architecture.
(C) The theory was formulated after the completion of chromosome mapping.
(D) The theory was formulated after a synthesis of the ideas of cytologists and biochemists had occurred.
(E) The theory was formulated at the same time as the beginning of the debate over the nature of protoplasm.
 (A) ¶2 indicates that the enzyme theory emerged in the late nineteenth century, while ¶4 indicates that the discipline of molecular biology is mainly a post-1950 phenomenon. In other words, the enzyme theory appeared before molecular biology. 
(B) According to ¶2, the initial discovery of cell architecture, like the formulation of the enzyme theory, occurred in the late nineteenth century.
(C) ¶3 suggests that chromosome mapping may have occurred later than the late nineteenth century. In any case, it certainly didn’t occur before the late nineteenth century.
(D) The synthesis of ideas between cytologists and biochemists is another post-1950 phenomenon.
(E) Lines 25-32 suggest that the debate about the nature of protoplasm emerged before the enzyme theory.
 • The correct answers to “inference” questions stick closely to the spirit of the text. If you have to go through an intricate reasoning process in order to justify a choice, you’ve probably picked an incorrect choice.

7. Which one of the following statements about cells is most compatible with the views of late nineteenth-century biochemists as those views are described in the passage?
(A) The secret of cell function resides in the structure of the cell.
(B) Only by discovering the chemical composition of protoplasm can the processes of the cell be understood.
(C) Scientific knowledge about the chemical composition of the cell can help to explain behavioral patterns in organisms.
(D) The most important issue to be resolved with regard to the cell is determining the physical characteristics of protoplasm.
(E) The methods of chemistry must be supplemented before a full account of the cell’s structures can be made.
 (B) Lines 29-31 state that late nineteenth-century biochemists were concerned with the chemical nature of protoplasm. Hence, it’s inferable that they considered understanding the nature of protoplasm to be vital to understanding cell processes. 
(A) and (D) Late nineteenth-century cytologists, not late nineteenth-century biochemists, were concerned with the structure of the cell (A) and the physical traits of protoplasm (D).
(C) and (E) are beyond the scope of the passage. There’s no mention of what late nineteenthcentury biochemists may have thought about the “behavioral patterns of organisms” (C). Nor is there any discussion about whether they thought chemistry was inadequate for the task of understanding the cell (E).
 • It’s important to read the question stem carefully. This particular question asks about the views of biochemists, not cytologists. If you missed this point because you read the stem too quickly, you might have fallen for wrong choice (A) or (D).

8. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?
(A) An account of a process is given, and then the reason for its occurrence is stated.
(B) A set of examples is provided and then a conclusion is drawn from them.
(C) A general proposition is stated, and then an example is given.
(D) A statement of principles is made, and then a rationale for them is debated.
(E) A problem is analyzed, and then a possible solution is discussed.
 (C) ¶1 presents a general proposition regarding the relationship between two similar scientific disciplines. The rest of the passage illustrates this proposition through an extended example: the relationship between cytology and biochemistry as it has developed over the last century. 
(A) What process? What reason for its occurrence?
(B) What set of examples? Only one example—the relationship between cytology and biochemistry—is explored.
(D) What statement of principles? What rationale?
(E) What problem? What solution?
 • Questions with abstractly-worded answer choices aren’t necessarily more difficult than questions with concretely-worded answer choices. Don’t sacrifice an easy point out of an irrational fear of abstract language.

ajayb1994 · Answer

I need official explanation for 6th question. I shortlisted A and E and wend with E.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The complete passage is explained many times please read the post thoroughly.

Thank you!

SuprotimRoy · Answer

Took 14 Mins 20 Secs and got 6/7 correct. Got the 7th one wrong, got confused between B and C.

One scientific discipline, during its early stages of development, is

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One scientific discipline, during its early stages of development, is

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