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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51254 Cell Template
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
* Select the correct answer into all dropdown fields. You need to answer all questions before clicking verify button.
One  of  the  great  promises  of  stem-cell  biology  is  to  use  a  patient's  own  cells  as  a  template  to  build  a  real,  working  organ  or  tissue  in  the  lab.  One  prime  example:  a    for  diabetes  by  turning  stem  cells  into  working  pancreatic  beta  cells,  which  release  insulin.  "The  existing  beta  cells  that  our  lab  and  others  had  created  were  90  percent  of  the  way  there.  But  90  percent  still  means  not  functional."  Ron  Evans,  a  molecular    at  the  Salk  Institute.  Evans  compares  the  stem-cell-derived  beta  cells  they  first  made  to  a  darkened  room.  "If  you  walk  into  that  room,  there  may  be  everything  in  it  that  you  need  to  be  a  complete  room,  with  furniture  and  chairs  and  everything  else.  But  it's  dark.  And  the  key  is:  what  do  you  need  to  turn  on  the  light?"  That  light  switch,  Evans  discovered,  is  a  gene—called  estrogen-related  receptor  gamma.  Flip  it  on,  and  it    a  genetic  circuit  that  ramps  up  mitochondria  production,  powers  up  the  cell,  and  endows  the  almost-functional  beta  cells  with  the  ability  to  sense  glucose  and  release  insulin  in  .  Evans's  team  recently  used  that  trick  to  transform  stem  cells  into  beta  cells  that  worked  just  like  they  would  in  a  healthy  pancreas.  When  they  transplanted  those  cells  into  mice  with  a  mouse  version  of  diabetes,  blood  glucose  fell  to  normal  levels  in  half  the  rodents.  The  results  are  in  the  journal  Cell  Metabolism.  Next,  Evans  says  he'll  replicate  the  test  in  diabetic  primates.  "Primates  get  diabetes  in  a  fashion  that's  very  similar  to  people.  So  if  it  works  in  a  primate,  very  high  probability  that  it's  going  to  work  in  people."  If  it  does,  we  might  someday  replace  a  shot  of  insulin  with  a  shot  of  cells.

Result:

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Correct answer: treatment

Explanation: The word 'treatment' fits grammatically as a noun that describes a method for addressing a medical condition, which is diabetes in this context. It aligns with the overall topic of stem-cell biology and its applications in medicine.

Meaning: 'Treatment' refers to the management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating a disease or condition.

Wrong options:

  • seasoned: 'Seasoned' is an adjective that describes someone with experience, which does not fit the context of a medical procedure or method.
  • feedlot: 'Feedlot' refers to a place where livestock are fed, which is unrelated to the medical context of the sentence.
  • pleaded: 'Pleaded' is a verb that means to make an emotional appeal, which does not align with the noun requirement in this context.
Correct answer: biologist

Explanation: The term 'biologist' is a noun that accurately describes Ron Evans's profession, fitting grammatically and contextually as it relates to his work in molecular biology.

Meaning: 'Biologist' refers to a scientist who studies living organisms and their relationship to the environment.

Wrong options:

  • incompetent: 'Incompetent' is an adjective that describes a lack of ability, which does not fit as a noun to describe a profession.
  • ethologist: 'Ethologist' is a specific type of biologist focused on animal behavior, which is not the context here as it refers to molecular biology.
  • conglomerate: 'Conglomerate' is a noun that refers to a large corporation or group, which is unrelated to the context of a scientific profession.
Correct answer: activates

Explanation: The word 'activates' is a verb that correctly describes the action of turning on a genetic circuit, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Activates' means to make something active or operative, in this case, a genetic circuit that enhances cell function.

Wrong options:

  • dais: 'Dais' refers to a raised platform, which does not fit the context of a biological process.
  • renegades: 'Renegades' refers to individuals who reject conventional behavior, which is irrelevant in this scientific context.
  • situates: 'Situates' means to place something in a particular position, which does not convey the intended action of turning on a genetic circuit.
Correct answer: response

Explanation: The word 'response' is a noun that fits grammatically and contextually, indicating the action taken by the beta cells in reaction to glucose levels.

Meaning: 'Response' refers to a reaction to a stimulus, in this case, the release of insulin in reaction to glucose.

Wrong options:

  • drops: 'Drops' is a noun that refers to small amounts of liquid, which does not fit the context of a biological reaction.
  • calms: 'Calms' is a verb that means to make someone or something tranquil, which does not relate to the action of insulin release.
  • aristocrats: 'Aristocrats' refers to members of the aristocracy, which is unrelated to the scientific context of the sentence.

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