Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

Damaged nerves in the spinal cord do not regenerate themselves naturally, nor even under the spur of nerve-growth stimulants. The reason, recently discovered, is the presence of nerve-growth inhibitors in the spinal cord. Antibodies that deactivate those inhibitors have now been developed. Clearly, then, nerve repair will be a standard medical procedure in the foreseeable future.
Which of the following, if true, casts the most serious doubt on the accuracy of the prediction above?

  1. Prevention of the regeneration of damaged nerves is merely a by-product of the main function in the human body of the substances inhibiting nerve growth.

  2. Certain nerve-growth stimulants have similar chemical structures to those of the antibodies against nerve-growth inhibitors.

  3. Nerves in the brain are similar to nerves in the spinal cord in their ability to regenerate themselves naturally.

  4. Researchers have been able to stimulate the growth of nerves not located in the spinal cord by using only nerve-growth stimulants.

  5. Deactivating the substances inhibiting nerve growth for an extended period would require a steady supply of antibodies.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A is correct because if inhibiting nerve growth is merely a by-product of the inhibitors' main function, then deactivating them could interfere with essential biological processes, casting doubt on whether nerve repair will become routine. B is irrelevant because chemical similarity between stimulants and antibodies does not impact the argument. C discusses brain nerves, not spinal cord nerves, so it is out of scope. D refers to nerves outside the spinal cord, which does not help explain why spinal nerve repair specifically would fail. E discusses a practical delivery issue rather than a fundamental biological barrier, so it is less damaging to the conclusion.

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