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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51178 DNA Barcoding
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
DNA  barcoding  was  invented  by  Paul  Hebert  of  the  University  of  Guelph,  in  Ontario,  Canada,  in  2003.  His  idea  was  to    a  unique  identification  tag  for  each  species  based  on  a  short    of  DNA.  Separating  species  would  then  be  a  simple  task  of  sequencing  this  tiny  bit  of  DNA.  Dr  Hebert  proposed  part  of  a  gene  called  cytochrome  c  oxidase  I  (COI)  as  suitable  to  the  task.  All  animals  have  it.  It  seems  to  vary  enough,  but  not  too  much,  to  act  as  a  reliable  marker.  And  it  is  easily    ,because  it  is  one  of  a  handful  of  genes  found  outside  the  cell  nucleus,  in  structures  called  mitochondria.  Barcoding  has  taken  off  rapidly  since  Dr  Hebert  invented  it.  When  the  idea  was  proposed,  it  was  expected  to  be  a    to  taxonomists  trying  to  name  the  world's  millions  of  species.  It  has,  however,  proved  to  have  a  far  wider  range  of  uses  than  the  merely  academic--  most  promisingly  in  the    of  public  health.  One  health-related  project  is  the  Mosquito  Barcoding  Initiative  being  run  by  Yvonne-Marie  Linton  of  the  Natural  History  Museum  in  London.  This  aims  to  barcode  80%  of  the  world's  mosquitoes  within  the  next  two  years,  to  help  control  mosquito-borne  diseases.  Mosquitoes  are  responsible  for  half  a  billion  malarial  infections  and  1m  deaths  every  year.  They  also    devastating  diseases  such  as  yellow  fever,  West  Nile  fever  and  dengue.  However,  efforts  to  control  them  are  consistently  undermined  by  the  difficulty  and  expense  of  identifying  mosquitoes  of  which  there  are  at  least  3,500  species,  many  of  them  hard  to  tell  apart.

Result:

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Correct answer: generate

Explanation: The verb 'generate' fits grammatically as it indicates the action of creating something new, which aligns with the context of producing a unique identification tag. It is in the correct tense and form for the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Generate' means to produce or create something, particularly in a systematic way.

Wrong options:

  • create: 'Create' is a synonym of 'generate' but is less commonly used in scientific contexts for producing data or tags.
  • get: 'Get' implies obtaining something rather than producing it, which does not fit the context of making a unique identification tag.
  • make: 'Make' is too informal for this context and does not convey the systematic process implied by 'generate.'
Correct answer: stretch

Explanation: The word 'stretch' is appropriate as it refers to a segment or portion of DNA, fitting grammatically and contextually with the description of a unique identification tag.

Meaning: 'Stretch' in this context refers to a specific segment or length of DNA that is being analyzed.

Wrong options:

  • line: 'Line' is too vague and does not specifically refer to a segment of DNA, making it less precise than 'stretch.'
  • period: 'Period' does not relate to DNA and suggests a time frame rather than a segment, making it contextually irrelevant.
  • cut: 'Cut' implies a physical action rather than a segment of DNA, which does not fit the intended meaning.
Correct answer: extracted

Explanation: The verb 'extracted' is the correct choice as it indicates the process of obtaining DNA from a source, fitting grammatically and contextually with the sentence's focus on obtaining genetic material.

Meaning: 'Extracted' means to remove or obtain something from a larger whole, in this case, DNA from cells.

Wrong options:

  • bought: 'Bought' implies a purchase, which is not relevant to the context of obtaining DNA.
  • made: 'Made' suggests creation rather than obtaining, which does not fit the context of DNA extraction.
  • get: 'Get' is too informal and does not convey the specific scientific process of obtaining DNA.
Correct answer: boon

Explanation: The word 'boon' fits well as it conveys a positive benefit or advantage, aligning with the context of aiding taxonomists. It is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

Meaning: 'Boon' refers to something that is beneficial or helpful, particularly in a significant way.

Wrong options:

  • gift: 'Gift' implies a present rather than a beneficial tool, making it less suitable in this context.
  • present: 'Present' also suggests a gift rather than a beneficial tool, which does not fit the intended meaning.
  • curse: 'Curse' has a negative connotation and contradicts the positive context of aiding taxonomists.
Correct answer: realm

Explanation: The word 'realm' is appropriate as it refers to a field or area of activity, fitting grammatically and contextually with the discussion of public health.

Meaning: 'Realm' means a domain or area of interest, particularly in a specific field like public health.

Wrong options:

  • period: 'Period' refers to a duration of time and does not relate to a field of activity.
  • world: 'World' is too broad and does not specifically indicate a field or area of focus.
  • range: 'Range' implies variety but does not convey the specific area of public health as effectively as 'realm.'
Correct answer: transmit

Explanation: The verb 'transmit' is the correct choice as it indicates the action of spreading diseases, fitting grammatically and contextually with the sentence's focus on mosquito-borne diseases.

Meaning: 'Transmit' means to pass on or spread something, particularly in the context of diseases.

Wrong options:

  • cure: 'Cure' implies healing rather than spreading, which contradicts the context of disease transmission.
  • have: 'Have' is too vague and does not convey the action of spreading diseases.
  • visualize: 'Visualize' refers to seeing or imagining something, which is irrelevant in the context of disease transmission.

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