7.Scientists have discovered a special biological behavior in dolphins(海豚) that could lead to a treatment for late-onset diabetes(晚发的糖尿病) in humans.Studies on dolphins found that healthy dolphins switch into a diabetic-like state overnight when they are not feeding,but return to normal when they eat the following morning.
The extraordinary finding has led scientists to suggest that dolphins have"genetic switch"that allows them to imitate diabetes while they arenot feeding for a night,without suffering any ill effect.
If researchers can identify a similar genetic pathway in human,they may be able to develop drugs to effectively switch off diabetes.Some 2.2million people in Britain have type 2(or late-onset) diabetes,a figure that is expected to reach 4million by 2025as a consequence of rising levels of obesity(肥胖).
The tissuesof people with type 2diabetes have become resistant to insulin(胰岛素)so they lose the ability to control sugar levels in their blood.The condition can damage the heart,eyes,kidneys(肾脏) and nerves and contribute to 5% of all deaths,according to the World Healthy Organisation.
Dolphins appear to imitate diabetes to keep high levels of blood sugar when food is rare.Like humans,dolphins need some sugar in their blood for their brains to function normally.Venn-Watson's team analysed 1,000blood samples(样本) from 52dolphins while theydidn't eat anything overnight and fed in the morning.At night time,the dolphins'metabolism(新陈代谢)changed greatly and showed similar characteristics to that seen in people with type 2diabetes.
"It is our hope that this discovery can lead to new ways to prevent,treat and maybe even cure diabetes in humans,"said Stephanie Venn-Watson,director of clinical research at the National Marine Foundation in San Diego.
72.What's the main idea of the passage?A
A.Humans get some ideaoftreatingdiabetes from dolphins.
B.Dolphins can switch into a diabetic-like state overnight.
C.Humans can suffer the same disease as dolphins.
D.Dolphins should be fed regularly to avoid diabetes.
73.The key to applying the finding to curing human diabetes lies inC.
A.producing insulin in a larger amount
B.developing drugs from healthy dolphins
C.identifying a similar genetic pathway in human
D.analysingmore blood samples from hungrydolphins
74.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?B
A.Scientists have found a similar genetic switch in humans.
B.More British people will suffer type 2diabetes due to obesity.
C.2.2million people with type 2diabetes die in Britain every year.
D.Dolphins imitate diabetes to avoid a high blood sugar level.
75.What will happen to dolphins if not fed for a night according to Venn-Watson?D
A.Their metabolism breaks down.
B.They become resistant to insulin.
C.Their heart and kidneys are damaged.
D.They keep high levels of blood sugar.
分析 本文是一篇说明文.文章主要介绍最近科学家们发现,当海豚在夜间不进食时,血糖含量会升高,类似于人类的糖尿病患者.但是海豚在夜间恢复进食后,血糖又回归正常.科学家希望从中找到治愈糖尿病的方法.
解答 72.A主旨大意题.根据第一段"Scientists have discovered a special biological behavior in dolphins that could lead to a treatment for late-onset diabetes in humans"可知,文章介绍的是人类可以从海豚的行为上得到一些治疗糖尿病的主意.故选A.
73.C细节理解题.根据第三段"If researchers can identify a similar genetic pathway in human,they may be able to develop drugs to effectively switch off diabetes"可知将这个发现应用于治疗糖尿病人的关键是在人类身上识别相似的基因通道.故选C.
74.B细节理解题.根据第三段"Some 2.2million people in Britain have type 2(or late-onset) diabetes,a figure that is expected to reach 4million by 2025as a consequence of rising levels of obesity"可知更多的英国人因为肥胖患II型糖尿病.故选B.
75.D细节理解题.根据倒数第二段"Dolphins appear to imitate diabetes to keep high levels of blood sugar when food is rare"可知如果海豚一个晚上不吃东西的话血糖会保持在一个高水平.故选D.
点评 本文是一个科教类阅读理解.题目涉及多道细节理解题,做题时结合原文和题目有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析,结合选项选出正确答案.推理判断题也是要在抓住关键句子的基础上合理的分析才能得出正确答案,切忌胡乱猜测,一定要做到有理有据,在做主旨大意题时考生首先要仔细阅读短文,完整了解信息,准确把握作者观点,确定主旨..