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souvik101990
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17 Aug 2015, 08:29
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A recent study of the eggs of tree frogs in Panama has provided insights into the concept of phenotypic plasticity. A biologist that studied the eggs observed that they would normally hatch a week after they were laid. However, by touching the eggs, the biologist could induce them to hatch immediately. The biologist likened this touch to the vibrations from an attacking snake. The implication was that the egg, even at an early stage, was flexible. It could either wait its usual full term to hatch, or hatch immediately in response to an environmental stressor. This example demonstrates phenotypic plasticity, which is the flexibility an organism has in expressing its genes. The phenotype is the expression of the genotype, or genetic makeup, and “plasticity” means the ability to change or adapt. Put another way, genotype is the inherited instructions that an organism receives from its genes, while phenotype is its physical appearance and actions.
Early theories of genetics relied on a cause-and-effect model: everything about an organism, including its phenotype, was determined by its genotype. Phenotypic plasticity, on the other hand, allows for the inclusion of environmental factors. For example, some types of plants can allocate more resources to their roots when growing in low-nutrient soil, or change the size and thickness of their leaves in response to the amount of sunlight they receive. Although genes certainly play a major role, individual organisms are not different simply because they have different genes. Rather, organisms can express phenotypic differences in response to variations in ecosystem, diet, temperature and climate.
The main purpose of the passage is to
A. (A) show how an experiment can replicate a naturally occurring situation
B. (B) define several scientific concepts and give examples of each
C. (C) introduce a theory and then discredit it
D. (D) demonstrate how one organism is similar to every other organism
E. (E) discuss a scientific theory and give some examples that support it
Early theories of genetics relied on a cause-and-effect model: everything about an organism, including its phenotype, was determined by its genotype. Phenotypic plasticity, on the other hand, allows for the inclusion of environmental factors. For example, some types of plants can allocate more resources to their roots when growing in low-nutrient soil, or change the size and thickness of their leaves in response to the amount of sunlight they receive. Although genes certainly play a major role, individual organisms are not different simply because they have different genes. Rather, organisms can express phenotypic differences in response to variations in ecosystem, diet, temperature and climate.
The main purpose of the passage is to
A. (A) show how an experiment can replicate a naturally occurring situation
B. (B) define several scientific concepts and give examples of each
C. (C) introduce a theory and then discredit it
D. (D) demonstrate how one organism is similar to every other organism
E. (E) discuss a scientific theory and give some examples that support it
souvik101990
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Joined: 19 Mar 2012
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Given Kudos: 2,326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Products:
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17 Aug 2015, 08:29
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Official Solution:
A recent study of the eggs of tree frogs in Panama has provided insights into the concept of phenotypic plasticity. A biologist that studied the eggs observed that they would normally hatch a week after they were laid. However, by touching the eggs, the biologist could induce them to hatch immediately. The biologist likened this touch to the vibrations from an attacking snake. The implication was that the egg, even at an early stage, was flexible. It could either wait its usual full term to hatch, or hatch immediately in response to an environmental stressor. This example demonstrates phenotypic plasticity, which is the flexibility an organism has in expressing its genes. The phenotype is the expression of the genotype, or genetic makeup, and “plasticity” means the ability to change or adapt. Put another way, genotype is the inherited instructions that an organism receives from its genes, while phenotype is its physical appearance and actions.
Early theories of genetics relied on a cause-and-effect model: everything about an organism, including its phenotype, was determined by its genotype. Phenotypic plasticity, on the other hand, allows for the inclusion of environmental factors. For example, some types of plants can allocate more resources to their roots when growing in low-nutrient soil, or change the size and thickness of their leaves in response to the amount of sunlight they receive. Although genes certainly play a major role, individual organisms are not different simply because they have different genes. Rather, organisms can express phenotypic differences in response to variations in ecosystem, diet, temperature and climate.
The main purpose of the passage is to
A. (A) show how an experiment can replicate a naturally occurring situation
B. (B) define several scientific concepts and give examples of each
C. (C) introduce a theory and then discredit it
D. (D) demonstrate how one organism is similar to every other organism
E. (E) discuss a scientific theory and give some examples that support it
(A) This is demonstrated in the first paragraph, but it is not the overall purpose of the passage. This answer choice is too narrow.
(B) The passage does define genotype and phenotype, but this is not the main purpose.
(C) The theory of phenotypic plasticity is introduced, but not discarded.
(D) There is little in the passage to support this answer choice.
(E) Correct. The passage discusses the concept of phenotypic plasticity and gives supporting examples in both paragraphs.
Answer: E
A recent study of the eggs of tree frogs in Panama has provided insights into the concept of phenotypic plasticity. A biologist that studied the eggs observed that they would normally hatch a week after they were laid. However, by touching the eggs, the biologist could induce them to hatch immediately. The biologist likened this touch to the vibrations from an attacking snake. The implication was that the egg, even at an early stage, was flexible. It could either wait its usual full term to hatch, or hatch immediately in response to an environmental stressor. This example demonstrates phenotypic plasticity, which is the flexibility an organism has in expressing its genes. The phenotype is the expression of the genotype, or genetic makeup, and “plasticity” means the ability to change or adapt. Put another way, genotype is the inherited instructions that an organism receives from its genes, while phenotype is its physical appearance and actions.
Early theories of genetics relied on a cause-and-effect model: everything about an organism, including its phenotype, was determined by its genotype. Phenotypic plasticity, on the other hand, allows for the inclusion of environmental factors. For example, some types of plants can allocate more resources to their roots when growing in low-nutrient soil, or change the size and thickness of their leaves in response to the amount of sunlight they receive. Although genes certainly play a major role, individual organisms are not different simply because they have different genes. Rather, organisms can express phenotypic differences in response to variations in ecosystem, diet, temperature and climate.
The main purpose of the passage is to
A. (A) show how an experiment can replicate a naturally occurring situation
B. (B) define several scientific concepts and give examples of each
C. (C) introduce a theory and then discredit it
D. (D) demonstrate how one organism is similar to every other organism
E. (E) discuss a scientific theory and give some examples that support it
(A) This is demonstrated in the first paragraph, but it is not the overall purpose of the passage. This answer choice is too narrow.
(B) The passage does define genotype and phenotype, but this is not the main purpose.
(C) The theory of phenotypic plasticity is introduced, but not discarded.
(D) There is little in the passage to support this answer choice.
(E) Correct. The passage discusses the concept of phenotypic plasticity and gives supporting examples in both paragraphs.
Answer: E
20 Aug 2015, 19:35
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I think this is a high-quality question and I don't agree with the explanation. Answer explanation is misplaced
