Read the passage given below and answer the questions (151-158) that follow : 1. Chocoholics no longer need to feel guilty about their desire for chocolate. They are simply the victim of the genes, scientists have found. The so called “sweet-tooth gene" has been identified by separate teams of researchers and helps explain why some find it harder to resist chocolate bars and cream cakes. It also raises the possibility of designing a drug which could “switch off" the gene and help people resist sugary foods. Children, in particular, risk their health by eating too many sweets and chocolates.
2. To identify the gene, research teams conducted almost identical experiments using mice which have differences in their ability to taste sweet foods. One of the team members said “A sweet taste receptor recognises the sweet content of food and initiates a cascade of events which signals to the brain that a sweet food has been eaten." He further added, “The same gene exists in humans, so it means that if your parents have a sweet tooth then you probably will as well”.
3. He said, "We have always known that some people have a sweeter tooth than others. But it has also been proved that if you are gradually exposed to less sugar, then the body becomes accustomed to less. They will be satisfied with a lower level of sweetness. Doctors warn against any form of gene therapy which seeks to deactivate the sweet gene. "We have produced this gene through evolution because sweet foods in nature are not poisonous, they give us energy. We all need to have some sugar in our diet," claim scientists. US researchers are using this discovery to develop artificial sweeteners without any after-taste.
Understanding the Phrase 'Initiates a Cascade of Events'
The question asks for the meaning of the phrase '. . . . initiates a cascade of events' as used in the provided passage. This phrase is found in paragraph 2, which discusses the identification of the "sweet-tooth gene" and how taste receptors work.
Passage Context
In paragraph 2, the passage states: "A sweet taste receptor recognises the sweet content of food and initiates a cascade of events which signals to the brain that a sweet food has been eaten." This sentence explains the biological process triggered when we taste something sweet.
Breaking Down the Phrase
- Initiates: This word means to begin, start, or set in motion.
- A cascade of events: This refers to a series of actions or occurrences that follow one after another in a sequence, much like a waterfall flowing downwards.
Therefore, "initiates a cascade of events" means to start a chain reaction or a series of connected happenings.
Analyzing the Options
Let's examine each option to see which best fits the meaning derived from the passage:
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1. to put a stop to orderly events
This option is incorrect. "Initiates" means to start something, not to stop it. The phrase describes the beginning of a process, not its termination. -
2. to halt and hinder sequential events
This option is also incorrect. "Halt" and "hinder" mean to stop or impede. The phrase clearly indicates the start of a sequence, not its obstruction. -
3. signals given to the brain
While the passage does mention that the cascade of events "signals to the brain," this option describes the outcome or a part of the process, not the meaning of "initiates a cascade of events" itself. It's what happens *after* the cascade is initiated. -
4. to start a series of occurrences
This option perfectly matches the meaning. "To start" corresponds to "initiates," and "a series of occurrences" corresponds to "a cascade of events." This phrase accurately describes the beginning of a sequence of biological signals sent to the brain upon tasting sweetness.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the phrase '. . . . initiates a cascade of events' means to begin a sequence of related actions or signals.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
