Passage:
Telomeres may contribute to age-related cellular decline: this finding could help scientists understand more about the ageing process and why cells lose their ability to replicate effectively as we get older. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides. Scientists think that when telomeres become critically short, cells can no longer divide properly and enter a state of decline. In younger people, an enzyme called telomerase is more effective at rebuilding telomeres and maintaining their length, but as we age this process becomes less efficient. As a result, telomeres shorten progressively in different tissues of the body, either through increased cell division or reduced rebuilding by telomerase. The shortened telomeres continue to trigger damage signals though the cell does not divide, and often activate pathways that cause cellular stress, which if persistent for longer periods of time can impair healthy tissue leading to age-related diseases.
Q16. Which of the following best summarises the passage?
Telomeres may contribute to age-related cellular decline: this finding could help scientists understand more about the ageing process and why cells lose their ability to replicate effectively as we get older. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides. Scientists think that when telomeres become critically short, cells can no longer divide properly and enter a state of decline. In younger people, an enzyme called telomerase is more effective at rebuilding telomeres and maintaining their length, but as we age this process becomes less efficient. As a result, telomeres shorten progressively in different tissues of the body, either through increased cell division or reduced rebuilding by telomerase. The shortened telomeres continue to trigger damage signals though the cell does not divide, and often activate pathways that cause cellular stress, which if persistent for longer periods of time can impair healthy tissue leading to age-related diseases.
Q16. Which of the following best summarises the passage?
Answer and solution
Correct answer: C
Solution
Answer: C — As telomerase becomes less effective with age, telomeres shorten and can trigger persistent cellular stress, which may impair healthy tissue and contribute to age-related diseases.
1. The passage explains declining telomere maintenance, shortening and resulting damage signals/cellular stress.
2. Persistent stress can impair healthy tissue and contribute to age-related diseases.
3. C captures this chain and preserves the qualified language “can” and “may”.
4. A merely defines telomeres. B wrongly describes shortened cells. D omits the consequences of stress. Answer C, based on the causal account in the passage.
Detailed reasoning and elimination check:
Follow the stated causal chain and preserve its uncertainty: less effective maintenance → shorter telomeres → persistent stress → possible tissue impairment. C keeps may/can. A definition alone or a claim about cells themselves becoming shorter omits or changes that chain.
Apply: Keep all three links: weaker rebuilding → shorter telomeres → persistent stress/tissue harm. C preserves the chain without saying cells themselves shrink.
Check: Follow the stated causal chain and preserve its uncertainty: less effective maintenance → shorter telomeres → persistent stress → possible tissue impairment. C keeps may/can. A definition alone or a claim about cells themselves becoming shorter omits or changes that chain.
1. The passage explains declining telomere maintenance, shortening and resulting damage signals/cellular stress.
2. Persistent stress can impair healthy tissue and contribute to age-related diseases.
3. C captures this chain and preserves the qualified language “can” and “may”.
4. A merely defines telomeres. B wrongly describes shortened cells. D omits the consequences of stress. Answer C, based on the causal account in the passage.
Detailed reasoning and elimination check:
Follow the stated causal chain and preserve its uncertainty: less effective maintenance → shorter telomeres → persistent stress → possible tissue impairment. C keeps may/can. A definition alone or a claim about cells themselves becoming shorter omits or changes that chain.
G Strategy shortcut
Spot: Identify the exact question task and the relevant passage claim.Apply: Keep all three links: weaker rebuilding → shorter telomeres → persistent stress/tissue harm. C preserves the chain without saying cells themselves shrink.
Check: Follow the stated causal chain and preserve its uncertainty: less effective maintenance → shorter telomeres → persistent stress → possible tissue impairment. C keeps may/can. A definition alone or a claim about cells themselves becoming shorter omits or changes that chain.
G Strategy: Spot: Identify the exact question task and the relevant passage claim. Apply: Keep all three links: weaker rebuilding → shorter telomeres → persistent stress/tissue harm. C preserves the chain without saying cells themselves shrink. Check: Follow the stated causal chain and preserve its uncertainty: less effective maintenance → shorter telomeres → persistent stress → possible tissue impairment. C keeps may/can. A definition alone or a claim about cells themselves becoming shorter omits or changes that chain.