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Research directed toward recovering ancient DNA began in 1984, when pieces of DNA were extracted from museum specimens of an animal extinct for about a century. Most such genetic material recovered from biological relics consists of tiny fragments, rather than the strings of thousands of molecules typically found in living organisms, but these fragments may contain sufficient information to identify a species through comparison with modern DNA from descendant species. However, the need to verify whether particular fragments actually come from ancient organisms or whether they come from modern contaminants, such as the sweat of people who have handled the specimens, is crucial. For example, some scientists claim to have extracted DNA fragments from 17-million-year-old magnolia leaves found in an unusual fossil deposit in Idaho. But other scientists suggest that this DNA is a modern contaminant; they argue that even under the most favorable conditions, the rate of degradation of DNA is such that useful genetic material could not be recovered from fossils that old and that since the leaves were trapped in wet deposits, it is particularly unlikely that any DNA would have survived so long. A solution to this debate lies in the fact that any ancient DNA should differ from that of related modern species. If the DNA extracted from the fossil leaves were actually a modern contaminant, this fact would be apparent from the information contained in the DNA.
1. According to the passage, the scientists (other scientists) mentioned in the highlighted text support their claims by citing which of the following?
A. The structural differences between DNA from the fossils and DNA from modern magnolia leaves
B. The small amount of genetic material that was extracted
C. The type of deposits in which the magnolia leaves were preserved
D. The fact that modern contaminants were present in the fossil specimens
E. The evidence provided by certain other biological relics
1. According to the passage, the scientists (other scientists) mentioned in the highlighted text support their claims by citing which of the following?
A. The structural differences between DNA from the fossils and DNA from modern magnolia leaves
B. The small amount of genetic material that was extracted
C. The type of deposits in which the magnolia leaves were preserved
D. The fact that modern contaminants were present in the fossil specimens
E. The evidence provided by certain other biological relics
2. The passage suggests which of the following about "the most favorable conditions" (see highlighted text) for preserving ancient DNA?
A. They were exemplified in the Idaho fossil deposit.
B. They consist at least in part of a dry environment.
C. They are more important in preserving plant fossils than in preserving animal fossils.
D. They contributed to preserving the DNA extracted from an animal extinct for about a century.
E. They include the preservation of fossils intact rather than in fragments.
2. The passage suggests which of the following about "the most favorable conditions" (see highlighted text) for preserving ancient DNA?
A. They were exemplified in the Idaho fossil deposit.
B. They consist at least in part of a dry environment.
C. They are more important in preserving plant fossils than in preserving animal fossils.
D. They contributed to preserving the DNA extracted from an animal extinct for about a century.
E. They include the preservation of fossils intact rather than in fragments.
3. The passage suggests that which of the following is most likely to be true about the DNA that was extracted from museum specimens of an extinct animal?
A. It is more complete than the DNA extracted from most biological relics.
B. It provides too little genetic information to be useful for comparison with modern DNA.
C. It provides less information than the DNA commonly found in living animals.
D. It is equally as degraded as is the DNA found in the fossil leaves discussed in the passage.
E. Its authenticity is questioned by most scientists.
3. The passage suggests that which of the following is most likely to be true about the DNA that was extracted from museum specimens of an extinct animal?
A. It is more complete than the DNA extracted from most biological relics.
B. It provides too little genetic information to be useful for comparison with modern DNA.
C. It provides less information than the DNA commonly found in living animals.
D. It is equally as degraded as is the DNA found in the fossil leaves discussed in the passage.
E. Its authenticity is questioned by most scientists.
Another set of question on the same passage is HERE.
16 Oct 2025, 23:23
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Question 1
According to the passage, how do the other scientists support their claim?
They argue that DNA from 17-million-year-old leaves is a modern contaminant because DNA decays too quickly, and because the leaves were trapped in wet deposits — making survival of DNA unlikely.
A. Wrong – They didn’t have DNA sequence data showing structural differences; the debate is about plausibility, not comparison.
B. Wrong – The small quantity isn’t mentioned as evidence.
C. Correct – They cited wet deposits as a reason DNA couldn’t survive.
D. Wrong – They don’t mention proven contaminants, only the possibility of contamination.
E. Wrong – No discussion of other biological relics as evidence here.
Question 2
What does the passage suggest about “the most favorable conditions”?
The critics argue that even under the most favorable conditions, DNA couldn’t survive that long. They add that because the deposit was wet, conditions were particularly unfavorable. Hence, favorable conditions likely involve dryness, not moisture.
A. Wrong – The Idaho deposit is given as unfavorable, not favorable.
B. Correct – Since wet conditions are bad, dry conditions must be part of the favorable ones.
C. Wrong – The passage doesn’t distinguish between plant and animal fossils.
D. Wrong – Favorable conditions weren’t linked to the extinct animal case.
E. Wrong – Fragment vs. intact fossils isn’t discussed as a preservation factor.
Question 3
What is true about the DNA extracted from museum specimens of an extinct animal?
That DNA was successfully extracted, but described as tiny fragments, not full strands — still sufficient to compare with modern DNA.
A. Wrong – It says most recovered DNA is fragmented, not more complete.
B. Wrong – The fragments are useful for comparison, so not too little.
C. Correct – They’re fragments, so less informative than full living DNA.
D. Wrong – Nothing says the degradation equals that in 17-million-year fossils.
E. Wrong – There’s no questioning of authenticity for the museum specimens.
According to the passage, how do the other scientists support their claim?
They argue that DNA from 17-million-year-old leaves is a modern contaminant because DNA decays too quickly, and because the leaves were trapped in wet deposits — making survival of DNA unlikely.
A. Wrong – They didn’t have DNA sequence data showing structural differences; the debate is about plausibility, not comparison.
B. Wrong – The small quantity isn’t mentioned as evidence.
C. Correct – They cited wet deposits as a reason DNA couldn’t survive.
D. Wrong – They don’t mention proven contaminants, only the possibility of contamination.
E. Wrong – No discussion of other biological relics as evidence here.
Question 2
What does the passage suggest about “the most favorable conditions”?
The critics argue that even under the most favorable conditions, DNA couldn’t survive that long. They add that because the deposit was wet, conditions were particularly unfavorable. Hence, favorable conditions likely involve dryness, not moisture.
A. Wrong – The Idaho deposit is given as unfavorable, not favorable.
B. Correct – Since wet conditions are bad, dry conditions must be part of the favorable ones.
C. Wrong – The passage doesn’t distinguish between plant and animal fossils.
D. Wrong – Favorable conditions weren’t linked to the extinct animal case.
E. Wrong – Fragment vs. intact fossils isn’t discussed as a preservation factor.
Question 3
What is true about the DNA extracted from museum specimens of an extinct animal?
That DNA was successfully extracted, but described as tiny fragments, not full strands — still sufficient to compare with modern DNA.
A. Wrong – It says most recovered DNA is fragmented, not more complete.
B. Wrong – The fragments are useful for comparison, so not too little.
C. Correct – They’re fragments, so less informative than full living DNA.
D. Wrong – Nothing says the degradation equals that in 17-million-year fossils.
E. Wrong – There’s no questioning of authenticity for the museum specimens.
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