Reading comprehension Home Exercise – 07, PASSAGE C

By using tiny probes as neural prostheses, scientists may be able to restore nerve function in quadriplegics and make the blind see or the deaf hear. Thanks to advanced techniques, a single, small, implanted probe can stimulate individual neurons electrically or chemically and then record responses. Preliminary results suggest that the microprobe telemetry systems can be permanently implanted and replace damaged or missing nerves.

The tissue- compatible microprobes represent an advance over the typical aluminum wire electrodes used is studies of the cortex and other brain structures. Researchers accumulate much data using traditional electrodes, but there is a question of how much damage they cause to the system. Microprobes, which are about as thin as a human hair, cause minimal damage and disruption of neurons when inserted into the brain.

In addition to recording nervous- system impulses, the microprobes have minuscule channels that open the way for delivery of drugs, cellular growth factors, neurotransmitters, and other neuro-active compounds to a single neuron or to groups of neurons. Also patients who lack certain bio-chemicals could receive doses via prostheses. The probes can have up to four channels, each with its own recording / stimulating electrode.

             15.  One similar feature of microprobes and wire electrodes is

A.      A minimal disturbance of neurons

B.      The density of the material

C.      The capacity for multiple leads

D.      Their ability to generate information

           16.    Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

A.      Microprobes require further techno logical advances before they can be used in humans

B.      Wire electrodes are antiquated as a means for delivering neuro-active compounds to the brain

C.      Microprobes have great potential to help counteract neural damage

D.      Technology now exists that may enable repair of the nervous system

             17. All of the following are mentioned in the passage as potential uses for prostheses EXCEPT

A.      Transportation of medication

B.      Induction of physical movement

C.      Transportation of growth factor

D.      Removal of bio- chemicals from the cortex

                18.  The initial function of microprobe channels is to

A.      Create pathways

B.      Disrupt neurons

C.      Replace ribbon cables

D.      Study the brain

Answer:

               15.   D   The second sentence o paragraph 1 states that probes record responses. Paragraph 2 says that electrodes accumulate much data.

              16.  C The tone through the passage suggests the potential for microprobes. They can be permanently implanted, they have advantages over electrodes they are promising candidates for neural prostheses, they will have great accuracy, and they are flexible.

              17.    D According to the third paragraph, people who lack biochemicals could receive doses via pros theses. However, there is no suggestion that removing biochemicals would be viable.

               18.    A   The first sentence of the third paragraph says that microprobes have channels that open the way for delivery of drugs.  Studying the brain (choice d) is not the initial function of channels, though it is one of the uses of the probes themselves.