BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Genes affecting behavior

Expert replies
by vikram4689 » Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:49 pm
Researchers studying how genes control animal behavior have had to deal with many uncertainties. In the first place, most behaviors are governed by more than one gene, and until recently geneticists had no method for identifying the multiple genes involved. In addition, even when a single gene is found to control a behavior, researchers in different fields do not necessarily agree that it is a "behavioral gene." Neuroscientists, whose interest in genetic research is to understand the nervous system (which generates behavior), define the term broadly. But ethologists - specialists in animal behavior - are interested in evolution, so they define the term narrowly. They insist that mutations in a behavioral gene must alter a specific normal behavior and not merely make the organism ill, so that the genetically induced behavioral change will provide variation that natural selection can act upon, possibly leading to the evolution of a new species. For example, in the fruit fly, researchers have identified the gene Shaker, mutations in which cause flies to shake violently under anesthesia. Since shaking is not healthy, ethologists do not consider Shaker a behavioral gene. In contrast, ethologists do consider the gene period (per), which controls the fruit fly's circadian (24 hour) rhythm, a behavioral gene because files with mutated per genes are healthy, they simply have different rhythms.

The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A)summarize findings in an area of research
(B)discuss different perspectives on a scientific question
(C)outline the major questions in a scientific discipline
(D)illustrate the usefulness of investigating a research topic
(E)reconcile differences between two definitions of a term

OA:B but isn't that is narrow in scope. Whether it is 'behavioral gene' is the scientific question but there are other elements as well. B ignores first 2 lines. Primary purpose is to "present the challenges faced by researchers". Among options, i find C most close but "questions" is a bit iffy.
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Join the discussion
Source: — Reading Comprehension |

by anuprajan5 » Wed Oct 24, 2012 11:13 pm
Hi Vikram,

I hit on B

My initial read gave me the idea that there are different perspectives by 2 different types of scientists. As to the first 2 lines, these lines give an introduction to the discussion.

The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A)summarize findings in an area of research - Not really
(B)discuss different perspectives on a scientific question - Keeper
(C)outline the major questions in a scientific discipline - There is only 1 topic in discussion - about how 2 types of scientists differ in their definition of a behavioral gene.(D)illustrate the usefulness of investigating a research topic - Nada
(E)reconcile differences between two definitions of a term - No definitions, but rather perspectives
Regards
Anup

The only lines that matter - are the ones you make!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk4sZcG ... ata_player
Join the discussion

by vikram4689 » Thu Oct 25, 2012 12:08 am
(C)outline the major questions in a scientific discipline - There is only 1 topic in discussion - about how 2 types of scientists differ in their definition of a behavioral gene.
but there is one more point most behaviors are governed by more than one gene, and until recently geneticists had no method for identifying the multiple genes involved.

Aren't the these 2 points(italicized + quoted) mentioned to support the larger view that Researchers studying how genes control animal behavior have had to deal with many uncertainties
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Join the discussion

by anuprajan5 » Thu Oct 25, 2012 12:30 am
Vikram,

The problem I see is that you are using 2 lines to define the entire passage. There are 2 lines that discuss this but the rest of the passage outlines the difference in perspective between 2 types of scientists.

And to me that would be an option that we infer from specifically those 2 lines. It does not define the passage as a whole.
Regards
Anup

The only lines that matter - are the ones you make!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk4sZcG ... ata_player
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:41 am
vikram4689 wrote:Researchers studying HOW GENES CONTROL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR have had to deal with many uncertainties. In the first place, most behaviors are governed by more than one gene, and until recently geneticists had no method for identifying the multiple genes involved. In addition, even when a single gene is found to control a behavior, researchers in different fields do not necessarily agree that it is a "behavioral gene." Neuroscientists, whose interest in genetic research is to understand the nervous system (which generates behavior), define the term broadly. But ethologists - specialists in animal behavior - are interested in evolution, so they define the term narrowly. They insist that mutations in a behavioral gene must alter a specific normal behavior and not merely make the organism ill, so that the genetically induced behavioral change will provide variation that natural selection can act upon, possibly leading to the evolution of a new species. For example, in the fruit fly, researchers have identified the gene Shaker, mutations in which cause flies to shake violently under anesthesia. Since shaking is not healthy, ethologists do not consider Shaker a behavioral gene. In contrast, ethologists do consider the gene period (per), which controls the fruit fly's circadian (24 hour) rhythm, a behavioral gene because flies with mutated per genes are healthy, they simply have different rhythms.

The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A)summarize findings in an area of research
(B)discuss different perspectives on a scientific question
(C)outline the major questions in a scientific discipline
(D)illustrate the usefulness of investigating a research topic
(E)reconcile differences between two definitions of a term
Follow the red:
Researchers studying HOW GENES CONTROL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR.
Researchers in different fields do not necessarily agree.
Neuroscientists define the term broadly.
But ethologists define the term narrowly.
Ethologists do not consider Shaker a behavioral gene.
Ethologists do consider the gene period a behavioral gene.

The lines in red support only answer choice B:
The primary purpose is to discuss different perspectives on a scientific question.
The scientific question is HOW GENES CONTROL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR.
Researchers DO NOT NECESSARILY AGREE.
The passage then gives the perspectives of NEUROSCIENTISTS AND ETHOLOGISTS.

The correct answer is B.

Answer choice C: The primary purpose is to outline the major questions in a scientific discipline.
Only ONE MAJOR QUESTION is discussed here: HOW GENES CONTROL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR.
Eliminate C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion

by vikram4689 » Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:32 am
thanks mitch. i was skeptical about word "questions" in option C from starting and i think the reason i didn't get this one is that i couldn't pre-phrased the answer in the way options were written. i pre-phrased that purpose is "to describe the uncertainties faced by researchers studying how genes control animal behavior".

please suggest where i went wrong and how can i improve this mistake.
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Join the discussion