Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
A certain cultivated herb is one of a group of closely related plants that thrive in soil with high concentrations of metals that are toxic to most other plants. Agronomists studying the herb have discovered that it produces large amounts of histidine, an amino acid that, in test-tube solutions, renders these metals chemically inert. Possibly, therefore, the herb’s high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils, a hypothesis that would gain support if ______.
A. histidine is found in all parts of the plant—roots, stem, leaves, and flowers
B. the herb’s high level of histidine production is found to be associated with an unusually low level of production of other amino acids
C. others of the closely related group of plants are also found to produce histidine in large quantities
D. cultivation of the herb in soil with high concentrations of the metals will, over an extended period, make the soil suitable for plants to which the metals are toxic
E. the concentration of histidine in the growing herb declines as the plant approaches maturity
cultivated herb
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 527
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:14 am
- Location: Atlanta
- Thanked: 17 times
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 2:44 pm
- Location: Russia, Moscow
- Thanked: 10 times
- GMAT Score:730
A. histidine is found in all parts of the plant—roots, stem, leaves, and flowers – it doesn't matter where histidine is found, out of scope
B. the herb’s high level of histidine production is found to be associated with an unusually low level of production of other amino acids – other amino acids are out of scope
C. others of the closely related group of plants are also found to produce histidine in large quantities – Correct as if other plants of a closely related groups also produce histidine, it means that it lets them live in a soil with high concentrations of toxic metals
D. cultivation of the herb in soil with high concentrations of the metals will, over an extended period, make the soil suitable for plants to which the metals are toxic – the fact doesn’t mean that herb’s high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils
E. the concentration of histidine in the growing herb declines as the plant approaches maturity – out of scope
B. the herb’s high level of histidine production is found to be associated with an unusually low level of production of other amino acids – other amino acids are out of scope
C. others of the closely related group of plants are also found to produce histidine in large quantities – Correct as if other plants of a closely related groups also produce histidine, it means that it lets them live in a soil with high concentrations of toxic metals
D. cultivation of the herb in soil with high concentrations of the metals will, over an extended period, make the soil suitable for plants to which the metals are toxic – the fact doesn’t mean that herb’s high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils
E. the concentration of histidine in the growing herb declines as the plant approaches maturity – out of scope
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:51 pm
- Thanked: 12 times
Nos,nervesofsteel wrote:i faced this question today ..
the OA given is E..
can someone explain..??
What is the source?
The GMAT is indeed adaptable. Whenever I answer RC, it proficiently 'adapts' itself to mark my 'right' answer 'wrong'.
-
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:18 pm
-
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:27 am
- Thanked: 1 times
IMO E..
The argument states in the conclusion "the herb's high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils".. This hypothesis will be further supported if the herb produces histidine only while its growing and stops after reaching maturity. E does this
The argument states in the conclusion "the herb's high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils".. This hypothesis will be further supported if the herb produces histidine only while its growing and stops after reaching maturity. E does this
The right answer is A.
It arguement is that histadine renders the metals chemically inactive. So unless histadine is present in all parts of plant to save that part from being damaged, the palnt cannot suustain.
It arguement is that histadine renders the metals chemically inactive. So unless histadine is present in all parts of plant to save that part from being damaged, the palnt cannot suustain.
- komal
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 777
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 4:02 am
- Location: Mumbai, India
- Thanked: 117 times
- Followed by:47 members
Hope this helps : )geet wrote:Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
A certain cultivated herb is one of a group of closely related plants that thrive in soil with high concentrations of metals that are toxic to most other plants. Agronomists studying the herb have discovered that it produces large amounts of histidine, an amino acid that, in test-tube solutions, renders these metals chemically inert. Possibly, therefore, the herb�s high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils, a hypothesis that would gain support if ______.
A. histidine is found in all parts of the plant�roots, stem, leaves, and flowers
Incorrect : In what parts of the plant is histidine found is irrelevant to the scope of the argument.
B. the herb�s high level of histidine production is found to be associated with an unusually low level of production of other amino acids
Incorrect : This might actually weaken the argument by stating that LOW LEVEL OF OTHER AMINO ACIDS is actually responsible for making the metal in the soil chemically inert.
C. others of the closely related group of plants are also found to produce histidine in large quantities
Incorrect : Issue is about this particular herb and not about OTHERS IN THE GROUP.
D. cultivation of the herb in soil with high concentrations of the metals will, over an extended period, make the soil suitable for plants to which the metals are toxic
Incorrect : This might actually weaken the argument by stating that adaptability of the herb to toxic soil is the reason why the herb thrives in metal-rich soil.
E. the concentration of histidine in the growing herb declines as the plant approaches maturity
Correct : It is stated in the hypotheses above that histidine allows the herb to GROW. It means that as long as the herb is growing, histidine is high and as the herb approaches MATURITY the concentration of histidine declines.
- arora007
- Community Manager
- Posts: 1048
- Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:26 am
- Location: India
- Thanked: 51 times
- Followed by:27 members
- GMAT Score:670
If E definitely is the right answer.. I think my understanding of "Maturity" is wrong...
Maturity in a plant means when its in full bloom...or does it mean..when the plan it going to wither away and die??
NOT SURE...
as per me...all options are out of place.... I chose A as
"histadine renders the metals chemically inactive" if any part of the plant is not having histadine...that part will wither awya...
"plant-roots, stem, leaves, and flowers" and the plant / plant species will eventually die...
Maturity in a plant means when its in full bloom...or does it mean..when the plan it going to wither away and die??
NOT SURE...
as per me...all options are out of place.... I chose A as
"histadine renders the metals chemically inactive" if any part of the plant is not having histadine...that part will wither awya...
"plant-roots, stem, leaves, and flowers" and the plant / plant species will eventually die...
https://www.skiponemeal.org/
https://twitter.com/skiponemeal
Few things are impossible to diligence & skill.Great works are performed not by strength,but by perseverance
pm me if you find junk/spam/abusive language, Lets keep our community clean!!
https://twitter.com/skiponemeal
Few things are impossible to diligence & skill.Great works are performed not by strength,but by perseverance
pm me if you find junk/spam/abusive language, Lets keep our community clean!!
- outreach
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:54 am
- Thanked: 46 times
- Followed by:3 members
The arg says the herb's high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils
As the plant approaches maturity(full bloom/death), its will need less histidine.
A
histidine present in other parts of the herb is not relevant. what is present in roots is relevant
As the plant approaches maturity(full bloom/death), its will need less histidine.
A
histidine present in other parts of the herb is not relevant. what is present in roots is relevant
[/b]arora007 wrote:If E definitely is the right answer.. I think my understanding of "Maturity" is wrong...
Maturity in a plant means when its in full bloom...or does it mean..when the plan it going to wither away and die??
NOT SURE...
as per me...all options are out of place.... I chose A as
"histadine renders the metals chemically inactive" if any part of the plant is not having histadine...that part will wither awya...
"plant-roots, stem, leaves, and flowers" and the plant / plant species will eventually die...
-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
General blog
https://amarnaik.wordpress.com
MBA blog
https://amarrnaik.blocked/
--------------------------------------
General blog
https://amarnaik.wordpress.com
MBA blog
https://amarrnaik.blocked/
- reply2spg
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 1261
- Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am
- Thanked: 27 times
- GMAT Score:570
Maturity is nothing but the middle stage, at which plant stop its growth and starts to die.
If you draw the sin wave then peak point is nothing but the maturity level.
In this question what conclusion says that 'high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils. We need to prove this. How? We need to show whether plant looses histidine production at the time of death or reduces in the level of histidine production while reaching the maturity.
E clearly states later. Therefore, E is correct here.
If you draw the sin wave then peak point is nothing but the maturity level.
In this question what conclusion says that 'high histidine production is what allows it to grow in metal-rich soils. We need to prove this. How? We need to show whether plant looses histidine production at the time of death or reduces in the level of histidine production while reaching the maturity.
E clearly states later. Therefore, E is correct here.
arora007 wrote:If E definitely is the right answer.. I think my understanding of "Maturity" is wrong...
Maturity in a plant means when its in full bloom...or does it mean..when the plan it going to wither away and die??
NOT SURE...
as per me...all options are out of place.... I chose A as
"histadine renders the metals chemically inactive" if any part of the plant is not having histadine...that part will wither awya...
"plant-roots, stem, leaves, and flowers" and the plant / plant species will eventually die...
Sudhanshu
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:39 pm
- Thanked: 7 times
- Followed by:1 members
A. histidine is found in all parts of the plant-roots, stem, leaves, and flowers
Well all right, even if that were true it doesn't prove that it is histidine that allows it to grow in metal rich soils since the passage suggests that this only holds true in test tube experiments
B. the herb's high level of histidine production is found to be associated with an unusually low level of production of other amino acids
irrelevant
C. others of the closely related group of plants are also found to produce histidine in large quantities
again doesnt prove that histidine is responsible for metal inertness in soil
D. cultivation of the herb in soil with high concentrations of the metals will, over an extended
period, make the soil suitable for plants to which the metals are toxic
CORRECT. If this is true then histidine would indeed penetrate the soil and over a period of time benefit plants who were otherwise not growing due to metal toxicity in the soil
E. the concentration of histidine in the growing herb declines as the plant approaches maturity
Histidine could decline as the herb attains maturity but then this has no relationship with metal toxicity
Well all right, even if that were true it doesn't prove that it is histidine that allows it to grow in metal rich soils since the passage suggests that this only holds true in test tube experiments
B. the herb's high level of histidine production is found to be associated with an unusually low level of production of other amino acids
irrelevant
C. others of the closely related group of plants are also found to produce histidine in large quantities
again doesnt prove that histidine is responsible for metal inertness in soil
D. cultivation of the herb in soil with high concentrations of the metals will, over an extended
period, make the soil suitable for plants to which the metals are toxic
CORRECT. If this is true then histidine would indeed penetrate the soil and over a period of time benefit plants who were otherwise not growing due to metal toxicity in the soil
E. the concentration of histidine in the growing herb declines as the plant approaches maturity
Histidine could decline as the herb attains maturity but then this has no relationship with metal toxicity