The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is found inside the noses

Question

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is found inside the noses of various animals. While its structural development and function are clearer in other animals, most humans have a VNO that is detectable, though only microscopically. When researchers have been able to stimulate VNO cells in humans, the subjects have reported experiencing subtle smell sensations. It seems, then, that the VNO, though not completely understood, is a functioning sensory organ in most humans.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?

(A) It is not known whether the researchers succeeded in stimulating only VNO cells in the human subjects’ noses.

(B) Relative to its occurrence in certain other animals, the human VNO appears to be anatomically rudimentary and underdeveloped.

(C) Certain chemicals that play a leading role in the way the VNO functions in animals in which it is highly developed do not appear to play a role in its functioning in humans.

(D) Secondary anatomical structures associated with the VNO in other animals seem to be absent in humans.

(E) For many animal species, the VNO is thought to subtly enhance the sense of smell.

Score-Quest · Answer

The argument states that the VNO in humans, though not completely understood, is a functioning sensory organ because when researchers stimulated VNO cells in humans, the subjects reported experiencing subtle smell sensations.

To weaken this argument, we need to find evidence that suggests the VNO might not be a functioning sensory organ in humans or that the reported sensations might not be due to the VNO.

Let's evaluate the options:

(A) It is not known whether the researchers succeeded in stimulating only VNO cells in the human subjects’ noses.
 This weakens the argument because if researchers might have stimulated other cells besides the VNO cells, then the subtle smell sensations reported by the subjects might not be due to the VNO. This introduces doubt about the direct relationship between VNO stimulation and the reported sensations.
 
(B) Relative to its occurrence in certain other animals, the human VNO appears to be anatomically rudimentary and underdeveloped.
 While this suggests that the human VNO is underdeveloped compared to other animals, it doesn't necessarily imply that it's non-functional in humans.
 
(C) Certain chemicals that play a leading role in the way the VNO functions in animals in which it is highly developed do not appear to play a role in its functioning in humans.
 This suggests a difference in the functioning of the VNO between humans and other animals, but it doesn't provide evidence against its functionality in humans.
 
(D) Secondary anatomical structures associated with the VNO in other animals seem to be absent in humans.
 This highlights a difference between the human VNO and the VNO in other animals, but doesn't provide direct evidence against its functionality in humans.
 
(E) For many animal species, the VNO is thought to subtly enhance the sense of smell.
 This option doesn't weaken the argument. It simply provides additional information about the VNO's function in other animals.

Jatin108 · Answer

Isnt the option A denying the premise or questioning the premise, this question is somewhat weird

BongBideshini · Answer

(A) It is not known whether the researchers succeeded in stimulating  only  VNO cells in the human subjects’ noses.

Jatin108 , choice A does not deny the premise because the premise says that researchers have been able to stimulate VNO cells in humans. However, answer choice A says that it is not known whether some other cells are also activated apart from VNO cells. If any other cells also got activated then it may have caused the smell sensation.
Thus, this choice weakens the argument.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is found inside the noses

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The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is found inside the noses

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