I feel this passage is a disaster. Until now, there are still several questions I do not understand.
(1) What is the relationship between Steele's hypothesis and Lamarck's theory? I mean, if Steele's hypothesis is correct, does it prove Lamarck's "basic idea" in line 4 is correct? Or even if Steele is correct, Lamarck's basic idea still need to be revised.
(2) In P3, I think Steele actually gives two related hypothesis: 1st, RNA can reverts to DNA, 2nd, the new DNA can be carried in the sperm and egg cells by a virus. The author clearly states the 2nd hypothesis is a speculative story, but what is the author's view regard to the 1st hypothesis?
(3) What is the general attitude towards Steele's hypothesis? I thought it was neutral, and according to the answer in Q21, it is neutral. But according to Q22, the author is very negative towards it.
Many thanks in advance.
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Vinny Gambini
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Re: Passage Discussion
Scale
Evidence that Lamarkism may occur in the immune system vs. Nah, there's other, safer explanations for those facts
Author's VP/Purpose
The author stays neutral, so her purpose is mainly to Present this Debate.
Important Lines (usually Author's view)
Lines 33-34 sounds like the author is somewhat dubious of Steele. Lines 38-41 describe Steele's thinking as "elegant, but speculative". Lines 44-45 sound like a setup for the author's evaluation of Steele, et. al. But Line 55 is the only pushback, and it comes from "Other biologists".
Paragraph 1
Intro to Lamarck's theory, which is rejected by scientists. Setup for Steele, who thinks Lamarkism may be accurate in the immune system.
Paragraph 2
Background info on immune system so that we can better understand Steele's forthcoming hypothesis.
Paragraph 3
Steele's hypothesis (altered RNA goes back to DNA and then gets carried by a virus to the reproductive cells, replacing the DNA in those cells).
Paragraph 4
Steele's evidence (there's something weird in the genetic code for immune system - this might be because of reverse transcription), and how other scientists feel about this (skeptical, because there are easier ways to describe that weird thing).
Takeaway/Pattern: This has the classic Old vs. New feel of most physical science passages (Old: Lamarckism is mocked New: There may be some evidence for Lamarckism within the immune system). And we normally find the author's assessment of the validity / implications of the New science, within the last paragraph. Here, the author stays pretty neutral and we instead get a little pushback from other biologists. This has the "too soon to tell" feel.
#officialexplanation
Evidence that Lamarkism may occur in the immune system vs. Nah, there's other, safer explanations for those facts
Author's VP/Purpose
The author stays neutral, so her purpose is mainly to Present this Debate.
Important Lines (usually Author's view)
Lines 33-34 sounds like the author is somewhat dubious of Steele. Lines 38-41 describe Steele's thinking as "elegant, but speculative". Lines 44-45 sound like a setup for the author's evaluation of Steele, et. al. But Line 55 is the only pushback, and it comes from "Other biologists".
Paragraph 1
Intro to Lamarck's theory, which is rejected by scientists. Setup for Steele, who thinks Lamarkism may be accurate in the immune system.
Paragraph 2
Background info on immune system so that we can better understand Steele's forthcoming hypothesis.
Paragraph 3
Steele's hypothesis (altered RNA goes back to DNA and then gets carried by a virus to the reproductive cells, replacing the DNA in those cells).
Paragraph 4
Steele's evidence (there's something weird in the genetic code for immune system - this might be because of reverse transcription), and how other scientists feel about this (skeptical, because there are easier ways to describe that weird thing).
Takeaway/Pattern: This has the classic Old vs. New feel of most physical science passages (Old: Lamarckism is mocked New: There may be some evidence for Lamarckism within the immune system). And we normally find the author's assessment of the validity / implications of the New science, within the last paragraph. Here, the author stays pretty neutral and we instead get a little pushback from other biologists. This has the "too soon to tell" feel.
#officialexplanation
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