The genes of higher organisms are borne on chromosomes,

Question

The genes of higher organisms are  borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene itself .

1.borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene itself 
2.borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene 
3.borne on chromosomes that are ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene by itself 
4.borne on chromosomes and ribbons of DNA which are much longer than genes 
5.borne on chromosomes which a single gene is shorter than

Experts please help.

murilomoraes · Answer

I`m not a experto but i believed in B because ribbons are correct a modifier and by itself is redundant.

daagh · Answer

Hi akijuneja

Please do underline the relevant parts. This is a basic thumb rule in the forum; done this time by me for you

Valerun · Answer

The genes of higher organisms are borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene itself.

Itself is redundant so you can discard A and C,

1.borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene itself -Discarded
2.borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene - ribbons correctly modifies the noun chromosomes
3.borne on chromosomes that are ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene by itself - Discarded
4.borne on chromosomes and ribbons of DNA which are much longer than genes - Changes the meaning of the sentence "ribbons" modifies chromosomes
5.borne on chromosomes which a single gene is shorter than- incorrect construction X is shorter then Y

blackprince1 · Answer

The  genes  of higher organisms are  borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene itself .

1.borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene  itself   - itself is redundant 
2.borne on  chromosomes, ribbons of DNA  much longer than any single gene - means to say that chromosomes are the ribbons of DNA
3.borne on chromosomes that are ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene   by itself   - not needed
4.borne on chromosomes and ribbons of DNA which are much longer than genes 
5.borne on chromosomes  which a single gene  is shorter than - chromosome is not a gene

dixitraghav · Answer

Experts , can you pl jump in and expalin the correct answer.

plumber250 · Answer

Hey,

Not sure if I am an expert, but let me see if I can help.

My opinion is the answer is B.

As someone else has said, the section after the comma is a modifier. In B the modifier is correct and directly next to the thing it is describing.

As someone else has said 'itself' is redundant so A is incorrect.

dixitraghav · Answer

akijuneja , can you pl post the OA.

rockstar23 · Answer

Hi all,

IMO C

Rule used here is that a reflexive pronoun (itself, himself, yourself etc.) should have an antecedent which is the subject of the clause

Firstly,
 borne on chromosomes, ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene itself   is wrong because  'itself'  should refer to a noun or a pronoun which is the subject of the clause. Hence incorrect.

Next,
 borne on chromosomes that are ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene by itself  
This seems correct because  itself  here clearly refers to the  genes of higher organisms . Also, the meaning of  borne  is carried or transported by. So the usage also seems correct.

The genes of higher organisms are carried/transported on chromosomes  that are ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene  by itself

Correct:  The genes of higher organisms are borne on chromosomes that are ribbons of DNA much longer than any single gene by itself

Experts pls correct if wrong

The genes of higher organisms are borne on chromosomes,

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