Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by

Question

Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome procedure of injection under the skin. If proteins are taken orally, they are digested and cannot reach their target cells. Certain nonprotein drugs, however, contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive system. They can, thus, be taken orally.

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion

(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory, the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion

(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins

(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what enzymes and bacteria are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be broken down within the body

(E) Determining the amount of time each nonprotein drug takes to reach its target cells.

Verbal Question of The Day: Day 217: Critical Reasoning 
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GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

This question stem is a bit weird. We're trying to determine a claim that would be supported by the information in the passage. That claim is that "a research procedure that successfully accomplishes _________ would be beneficial to users of protein drugs." So we need to identify the  accomplishment  that would make the most sense in that blank.

It would be like a "Complete the Passage" question, if the passage ended with, "Therefore, a research procedure that succeeds in _________ would be beneficial to users of the protein drugs." Again, we need to identify the  accomplishment  of the research procedure. This accomplishment should be something beneficial to users of the protein drugs.

Let's start with the given information:

"Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome procedure of injection under the skin." 
 Why must those protein drugs be administered by injection? Because "if proteins are taken orally, they are digested and cannot reach their target cells." So if you take those protein drugs orally, they won't be able to do their jobs. 
 "Certain nonprotein drugs, however, contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive system. They can, thus, be taken orally." These nonprotein drugs will NOT be digested. Therefore, they can pass through the digestive system and STILL reach their target cells. In other words, if you take these certain nonprotein drugs orally, they will still be able to do their jobs.

Based on that information, we need to identify an accomplishment that would be most useful to users of protein drugs. Remember, those users generally cannot take their drugs orally and instead have to take their drugs by the  cumbersome  procedure of injection under the skin. Pay attention to the word "cumbersome." This implies that taking the drugs by injection is less convenient than taking the drugs orally.

If this were accomplished, insulin (a protein drug) could pass through the digestive system without being broken down. The insulin could thus reach its target cells even if taken orally. Currently, this is not possible, and therefore insulin users must inject the drug under the skin.

This accomplishment would allow insulin users to take the insulin orally rather than with an injection. Thus, insulin users could avoid the  cumbersome  procedure of injection and instead use a more convenient method (i.e. swallowing a pill). This would certainly be beneficial to users of protein drugs (i.e. insulin users), so hang on to (A).

The nonprotein drugs currently resist digestion. If those drugs are converted into protein compounds, they might NOT be able to pass through the digestive system without being broken down. That means they would have to be injected instead of taken orally. This "accomplishment" might be detrimental to nonprotein drug users. Regardless, it certainly does not help protein drug users, so eliminate (B).

Well, now the protein drugs CAN pass through the digestive system and still reach their target cells, and this is a benefit for protein drug users. But now their digestive systems cannot process proteins! The normal, healthy functioning of the digestive system would have to be compromised in order to achieve that benefit. Choice (A), on the other hand, represents a clear benefit with no apparent negative consequences. (A) is a much better answer, so eliminate (C).

This might provide some interesting information about enzymes and bacteria, but how will that help protein drug users?  Perhaps  that information could somehow lead to a further development that somehow benefits protein drug users, but, by itself, the accomplishment cited in choice (D) does not help protein drug users. Eliminate (D).

This might be interesting data, but it does not directly help protein drug users. Again, it's  possible  that this information might lead to a future medical advancement that somehow helps protein users, but this specific accomplishment does not help protein drug users. Eliminate (E).

(A) is the best answer.

ChrisLele · Answer

The problem is that protein drugs are broken down by the digestive system and can thus never reach target cells. The good news is that certain nonprotein drugs are not broken down by the digestive system because they contain special chemical bonds. The solution? Find a way to coat the insulin with these special chemical bonds. This matches up with answer (A).

Hope that helps!

Hope that helps!

thevenus · Answer

We are talking about the protein drugs but the AC (A) deals with only one example of the protein drug i.e insulin. I don't know how far is it possible to consider the same as the correct AC.Usually we don't see examples quoted in CR arguments to be the prime answer.
Experts please guide !

daagh · Answer

The passage mentions protein drugs such as insulin. Hnece, insulin is just one example of the useful protein drugs and not the only drug, reckoned by the passage

TGC · Answer

What is the issue with 
(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins

As far as argument is concerned , we have a issue with 'they are digested' and 'cannot reach their target cells'.

I know this option doesn't cater for 'cannot reach their target cells'. However, OG explanation states that:

C.The digestive system needs the substances that digest protein in order to function normally, so this procedure would do more harm than good.

I am unaware where in the argument it has been mentioned that 'needs the substances that digest protein in order to function normally'.

Your advises !!

plumber250 · Answer

Hi TGC.

I think the issue is actually with terminology.

I'm not sure the 'conclusion' is that proteins have to be injected. Yes that is true, but it's not the conclusion so much.

The passage is not really an argument, more a statement about current practices.

Then the question asks you what would you need to do to Protein drugs to make them effective if taken orally.

Answer A does that.

Hope that helps

James

nitin6305 · Answer

Can someone please provide an elaborate explanation with the break up of all answer choices?

anje29 · Answer

Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome procedure of injection under the skin. If proteins are taken orally, they are digested and cannot reach their target cells. Certain nonprotein drugs, however, contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive system. They can, thus, be taken orally.

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion

if the medicine is not digested by the system and reaches to target , it will benefit patients takinf protein drugs orally , hence correct

(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory, the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion

If nonprotein drugs will be converted to protein compounds , it will not reach to target cells as per the argument .

(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins
 
This is an logical assumption , which argument doesn't support. We have to stick to the facts provided in the argument .
How those facts can be used to benefit the process of taking protein orally. 
 
(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what enzymes and bacteria are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be broken down within the body
 Again same as C , irrelevant

(E) Determining the amount of time each nonprotein drug takes to reach its target cells.

Again same as C , irrelevant

gmatexam439 · Answer

Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome procedure of injection under the skin. If proteins are taken orally, they are digested and cannot reach their target cells. Certain nonprotein drugs, however, contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive system. They can, thus, be taken orally.

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion - Correct. If the target cells can break down the proteins easily then it will work for the patients. 
(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory, the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion - A is better than B 
(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins - We need not touch digestive system 
(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what enzymes and bacteria are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be broken down within the body - Even if we come to know what enzymes are broken down by digestive system, it won't be of any help. 
(E) Determining the amount of time each nonprotein drug takes to reach its target cells. - Out of scope

AkshdeepS · Answer

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion

(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory,  the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion

(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system  any substances that digest proteins

(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what  enzymes  and  bacteria  are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be  broken down within the body

(E) Determining the amount of  time  each nonprotein drug takes  to reach its target 
cells .

A. Correct inference 
B. Talks only about non-protein drugs instead of INSULIN (Useful protein drug)
C, D, and E are Out of scope.

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion - From the passage, we know that at present, protein drugs are taken using the undesirable under the skin injection. So, if there is a way for protein drugs to be administered orally without the protein drug losing its chemical properties, then it could help circumvent the need to administer such drugs using the undesirable under the skin injections. Hence, if (A) is true, users of protein drugs would undoubtedly benefit from such a research. Therefore,  (A) is the right answer.  
  
(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory, the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion  -  converting non-protein compounds to protein compounds does not present any advantage to the protein drug users.  
 
(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins  -  No way. This is way too extreme. Even if you were to perform what (C) suggests, it does not provide any benefit to protein drug users.  
 
(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what enzymes and bacteria are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be broken down within the body  -  does not help protein drug users in any way. 
  
(E) Determining the amount of time each nonprotein drug takes to reach its target cells.  -  irrelevant.

itspCv2 · Answer

OH yeaaah ! Let's make it easy: Should find something that's beneficial to protein drug usage

A)Yeah may be if we use this method we can takeoraly too. Lets keep it
  
 B)In lab ? what about in stomach ??

C)Wooo... Permananently remove is going too much. Why remove permanantly when you have a temporary solution like in A. A is better than this

D)Determining bacteria n all won't be so useful..!

E) Time is totally irrelevant.

Therefore answer is A

abhishekpasricha · Answer

GMATNinja   VeritasKarishma  
 I understand it can have some other consequences but those consequences are not part of the argument. As far as we are removing the element which is causing digestion, we should be good?? On the other side
A
focuses on correct approach but targets only insulin - not all protein drugs. Can't we say with such understanding that
C is stronger candidate than A

KarishmaB · Answer

The question says - if a research lab claims 'this', it would be beneficial to users of protein drugs. What is 'this'?

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion

Great! They coated insulin with compounds that make talking insulin orally viable. Perhaps other protein drugs can be coated with same compounds too. 
Beneficial to protein drug users.

(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins

The intent of this option is clear with the usage of 'permanently'. It takes away something that is present in a normal digestive system permanently. That itself is a red flag. 
The lab claims that they will take away the ability to digest protein permanently. Is it beneficial to protein drug users? No. It brings convenience in one respect but users will take proteins in diet but will not be able to digest. That's a problem.

Answer (A)

CEdward · Answer

Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome procedure of injection under the skin. If proteins are taken orally, they are digested and cannot reach their target cells. Certain nonprotein drugs, however, contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive system. They can, thus, be taken orally.

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion
Correct. The comparison in the passage suggests that insulin cannot be ingested orally b/c its a protein, whereas nonprotein drugs can be taken orally (b/c they contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive tract. So it follows that protecting insulin via those compounds would allow for it to be ingested orally

(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory, the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion
This seems like a fruitless exercise...the nonprotein drugs are fine as they are...why alter them?

(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins
Dangerous. Don't do this in real life.

(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what enzymes and bacteria are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be broken down within the body
Enzymes and bacteria are irrelevant.

(E) Determining the amount of time each  nonprotein  drug takes to reach its target cells.
How would this benefit users of protein drugs? It won't.

sahuanamika · Answer

Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome procedure of injection under the skin. If proteins are taken orally, they are digested and cannot reach their target cells. Certain nonprotein drugs, however, contain chemical bonds that are not broken down by the digestive system. They can, thus, be taken orally.

The statements above most strongly support a claim that a research procedure that successfully accomplishes which of the following would be beneficial to users of protein drugs?

Main points -
1. Protein drugs cant be taken orally , as they are digested and cant reach target cells -- so need to find a way to solve this issue.
2. Nonprotein drugs do not broke down by digestive system ,thus can be taken orally.

Question is to method which can resolve the (1) issue.

Choices :
(A) Coating insulin with compounds that are broken down by target cells, but whose chemical bonds are resistant to digestion : -- this is correct as that is the only issue we have with protein cells as per (1)

(B) Converting into protein compounds, by procedures that work in the laboratory, the nonprotein drugs that resist digestion -- converting nonprotein drugs to protein is out of context of the paragraph, so not correct.

(C) Removing permanently from the digestive system any substances that digest proteins: Not possible , so not correct also people need to digest protein based foods.

(D) Determining, in a systematic way, what enzymes and bacteria are present in the normal digestive system and whether they tend to be broken down within the body: paragraph is not talking about enzymes and bacteria, so not correct.

(E) Determining the amount of time each nonprotein drug takes to reach its target cells.: This wont help as the main issue is protein getting digestive , so not correct.

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