GMAT考试阅读资料(二)d
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Passage 10
  Caffeine, the stimulant1 in coffee, has been called  “the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”  Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed that  caffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical called adenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firing in many areas of the brain. It apparently2 does this by inhibiting4 the release of neurotransmitters, chemicals that carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind5 to specific receptors onneuronal membranes6. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.
  For many years, caffeine‘s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme7 that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation8. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit3 the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.
  To buttress10 their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting11 adenosine binding12, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives14 withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “the ability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate15 locomotion16 in  the mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural17 relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.
  There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called 3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed19 mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory13 effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating20 it at higher ones.

  1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
   (A) discuss a plan for investigation21 of a phenomenon   that is not yet fully22 understood
   (B) present two explanations of a phenomenon and   reconcile the differences between them
   (C) summarize two theories and suggest a third theory   that overcomes the problems encountered in the first two 
   (D) describe an alternative hypothesis and provide   evidence and arguments that support it
   (E) challenge the validity of a theory by exposing the   inconsistencies and contradictions in it 

  2. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the  theory proposed by Snyder et al?
   (A) At very low concentrations in the human brain. both   caffeine and theophylline tend to have depressive   rather than stimulatory effects on human behavior.
   (B) The ability of caffeine derivatives at very low   concentrations to dislodge adenosine from its   receptors in mouse brains correlates well with their   ability to stimulate mouse locomotion at these low   concentrations
   (C) The concentration of cyclic AMP in target neurons   in the human brain that leads to increased neuron   firing can be produced by several different   phosphodi esterase inhibitors in addition to caffeine.
   (D) The concentration of caffeine required to dislodge   adenosine from its receptors in the human brain is   much greater than the concentration that produces   behavioral stimulation in humans.
   (E) The concentration of IBMX required to dislodge   adenosine from its receptors in mouse brains is much   smaller than the concentration that stimulates23   locomotion in the mouse.

  3. According so Snyder et al, caffeine differs from adenosine in that caffeine
   (A) stimulates behavior in the mouse and in humans, whereas adenosine stimulates behavior in humans only
   (B) has mixed effects in the brain, whereas adenosine has only a stimulatory effect
   (C) increases cyclic AMP concentrations in target neurons, whereas adenosine decreases such concentrations
   (D) permits release of neurotransmitters when it is bound to adenosine receptors, whereas adenosine inhibits24 such release
   (E) inhibits both neuron firing and the production of phosphodiesterase when there is a sufficient concentration in the brain, whereas adenosine   inhibits only neuron firing

  4. In response to experimental results concerning IBMX, Snyder et al contended that it is not uncommon25 for psychoactive drugs to have
   (A) mixed effects in the brain
   (B) inhibitory effects on enzymes26 in the brain
   (C) close structural relationships with caffeine
   (D) depressive effects on mouse locomotion
   (E) the ability to dislodge caffeine from receptors   in the brain

  5. The passage suggests that Snyder et al believe that if the older theory concerning caffeine‘s effects were correct,which of the following would have to be the case?
  Ⅰ.All neurotransmitters would increase the short-term concentration of cyclic AMP in target neurons.
  Ⅱ.Substances other than caffeine that inhibit the production of phosphodiesterase would be stimulants9.
  Ⅲ.All concentration levels of caffeine that are high enough to produce stimulation would also inhibit the production of phosphodiesterase.
   (A) Ⅰ only
   (B) Ⅰ and Ⅱ only
   (C) Ⅰand Ⅲ only
   (D) Ⅱ and Ⅲ only
   (E) Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ

  6. According to Snyder et al, all of the following compounds can bind to specific receptors in the brain EXCEPT
   (A) IBMX
   (B) caffeine
   (C) adenosine
   (D) theophylline
   (E) phosphodiesterase

  7. Snyder et al suggest that caffeine‘s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially27 attributed to which of the following?
   (A) The chemical relationship between caffeine and  phosphodiesterase
   (B) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine
   (C) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters
   (D) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior
   (E) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brain

  8. The author quotes Snyder et al in lines 38-43 most probably in order to
   (A) reveal some of the assumptions underlying28 their theory
   (B) summarize a major finding of their experiments
   (C) point out that their experiments were limited to the mouse
   (D) indicate that their experiments resulted only in general correlations29
   (E) refute the objections made by supporters of the older theory

  9. The last paragraph of the passage performs which of the following functions?
   (A) Describes a disconfirming experimental result and reports the explanation given by Snyder et al in an attempt to reconcile this result with their theory.
   (B) Specifies30 the basis for the correlation18 observed by Snyder et al and presents an explanation in an attempt to make the correlation consistent with the   operation of psychoactive drugs other than caffeine.
   (C) Elaborates the description of the correlation observed by Snyder et al and suggests an additional explanation in an attempt to make the correlation   consistent with the older theory.
   (D) Reports inconsistent experimental data and describes the method Snyder et al will use to reanalyze this data.
   (E) Provides an example of the hypothesis proposed by Snyder et al and relates this example to caffeine‘s properties.



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1 stimulant fFKy4     
n.刺激物,兴奋剂
参考例句:
  • It is used in medicine for its stimulant quality.由于它有兴奋剂的特性而被应用于医学。
  • Musk is used for perfume and stimulant.麝香可以用作香料和兴奋剂。
2 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
3 inhibit C7jxT     
vt.阻止,妨碍,抑制
参考例句:
  • Don't let ego and greed inhibit clear thinking and hard work.不要让自我和贪婪妨碍清晰的思维和刻苦的工作。
  • They passed a law to inhibit people from parking in the street.他们通过一项法令以阻止人们在街上停车。
4 inhibiting 11ff588a61bbc2b55de0b4c430fe2824     
抑制作用的,约束的
参考例句:
  • The high cost of borrowing is inhibiting investment by industry in new equipment. 借款的高成本抑制了企业对新设备的投资。
  • The pesticides affect the nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme cholinesterase. 这类农药抑制胆碱酯酶而影响神经系统。
5 bind Vt8zi     
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬
参考例句:
  • I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
  • He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。
6 membranes 93ec26b8b1eb155ef0aeaa845da95972     
n.(动物或植物体内的)薄膜( membrane的名词复数 );隔膜;(可起防水、防风等作用的)膜状物
参考例句:
  • The waste material is placed in cells with permeable membranes. 废液置于有渗透膜的槽中。 来自辞典例句
  • The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a system of intracellular membranes. 肌浆网属于细胞内膜系统。 来自辞典例句
7 enzyme cPozF     
n.酵素,酶
参考例句:
  • Above a certain temperature,the enzyme molecule will become unfolded.超过一定温度,酶分子将会展开。
  • An enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots.能溶解血凝块中的纤维的酶。
8 stimulation BuIwL     
n.刺激,激励,鼓舞
参考例句:
  • The playgroup provides plenty of stimulation for the children.幼儿游戏组给孩子很多启发。
  • You don't get any intellectual stimulation in this job.你不能从这份工作中获得任何智力启发。
9 stimulants dbf97919d8c4d368bccf513bd2087c54     
n.兴奋剂( stimulant的名词复数 );含兴奋剂的饮料;刺激物;激励物
参考例句:
  • Coffee and tea are mild stimulants. 咖啡和茶是轻度兴奋剂。
  • At lower concentrations they may even be stimulants of cell division. 在浓度较低时,它们甚至能促进细胞分裂。 来自辞典例句
10 buttress fcOyo     
n.支撑物;v.支持
参考例句:
  • I don't think they have any buttress behind them.我认为他们背后没有什么支持力量。
  • It was decided to buttress the crumbling walls.人们决定建造扶壁以支撑崩塌中的墙。
11 venting bfb798c258dda800004b5c1d9ebef748     
消除; 泄去; 排去; 通风
参考例句:
  • But, unexpectedly, he started venting his spleen on her. 哪知道,老头子说着说着绕到她身上来。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
  • So now he's venting his anger on me. 哦,我这才知道原来还是怄我的气。
12 binding 2yEzWb     
有约束力的,有效的,应遵守的
参考例句:
  • The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
  • Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。
13 stimulatory 81f55959f0a5a21a4b801418bf45df94     
adj.刺激; 激励; 激发; 鼓舞
参考例句:
  • Some are more stimulatory, others more sedative. 有些比较起兴奋作用,另一些比较起镇静作用。 来自辞典例句
  • Conclusions: H. ducreyi influences T-cell-stimulatory ability of APCs and favors a Th1-type response. 提示 :杜克雷菌能影响APCs活化T细胞的能力 ,并有助于Th1型反应。 来自互联网
14 derivatives f75369b9e0ef2282b4d10e367e4ee2a9     
n.衍生性金融商品;派生物,引出物( derivative的名词复数 );导数
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derivatives of Latin words. 许多英语词来自拉丁语。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • These compounds are nitrosohydroxylamine derivatives. 这类合成物是亚硝基羟胺衍生物。 来自辞典例句
15 stimulate wuSwL     
vt.刺激,使兴奋;激励,使…振奋
参考例句:
  • Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
  • Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。
16 locomotion 48vzm     
n.运动,移动
参考例句:
  • By land,air or sea,birds are masters of locomotion.无论是通过陆地,飞越空中还是穿过海洋,鸟应算是运动能手了。
  • Food sources also elicit oriented locomotion and recognition behavior patterns in most insects.食物源也引诱大多数昆虫定向迁移和识别行为。
17 structural itXw5     
adj.构造的,组织的,建筑(用)的
参考例句:
  • The storm caused no structural damage.风暴没有造成建筑结构方面的破坏。
  • The North American continent is made up of three great structural entities.北美大陆是由三个构造单元组成的。
18 correlation Rogzg     
n.相互关系,相关,关连
参考例句:
  • The second group of measurements had a high correlation with the first.第二组测量数据与第一组高度相关。
  • A high correlation exists in America between education and economic position.教育和经济地位在美国有极密切的关系。
19 depressed xu8zp9     
adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的
参考例句:
  • When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
  • His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。
20 stimulating ShBz7A     
adj.有启发性的,能激发人思考的
参考例句:
  • shower gel containing plant extracts that have a stimulating effect on the skin 含有对皮肤有益的植物精华的沐浴凝胶
  • This is a drug for stimulating nerves. 这是一种兴奋剂。
21 investigation MRKzq     
n.调查,调查研究
参考例句:
  • In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
  • He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。
22 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
23 stimulates 7384b1562fa5973e17b0984305c09f3e     
v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 );激励;使兴奋;起兴奋作用,起刺激作用,起促进作用
参考例句:
  • Exercise stimulates the body. 运动促进身体健康。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Alcohol stimulates the action of the heart. 酒刺激心脏的活动。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
24 inhibits 7fbb1ac5e38d9e83ed670404679a2310     
阻止,抑制( inhibit的第三人称单数 ); 使拘束,使尴尬
参考例句:
  • A small manufacturing sector inhibits growth in the economy. 制造业规模太小有碍经济增长。
  • His bad English inhibits him from speaking freely. 他英语学得不好,这使他不能表达自如。
25 uncommon AlPwO     
adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的
参考例句:
  • Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。
  • Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。
26 enzymes 7881ad8ce9c83424f7874e70266ed2d8     
n. 酶,酵素
参考例句:
  • It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
  • Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。
27 partially yL7xm     
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲
参考例句:
  • The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
  • The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静,宵禁部分解除。
28 underlying 5fyz8c     
adj.在下面的,含蓄的,潜在的
参考例句:
  • The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
  • This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。
29 correlations 4a9b6fe1ddc2671881c9aa3d6cc07e8e     
相互的关系( correlation的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • One would expect strong and positive correlations between both complexes. 人们往往以为这两个综合体之间有紧密的正相关。
  • The correlations are of unequal value. 这些对应联系的价值并不相同。
30 specifies 65fd0845f2dc2c4c95f87401e025e974     
v.指定( specify的第三人称单数 );详述;提出…的条件;使具有特性
参考例句:
  • The third clause of the contract specifies steel sashes for the windows. 合同的第三款指定使用钢窗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The contract specifies red tiles, not slates, for the roof. 合同规定屋顶用红瓦,并非石板瓦。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
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