Question

    A breathtaking trick potentially left over from our ancestors might be found in us-the ability to sense oxygen through our skin.

Amphibians, animals such as frogs that can live both on land and in water, have long been known to be capable of breathing through their skin. In fact, the first known lungless frog that breathes only through its skin was discovered recently in the rivers of Borneo.

Now the same oxygen sensors found in frog skins and in the lungs of mammals have unexpectedly been discovered in the skin of mice. “No one had ever looked,” explained Randall Johnson, a biologist researcher. Mice and frogs are quite distant relatives, so the fact they have these molecules in common in their skin suggests they might well be found in the skin of other mammals, such as humans. “We have no reason to think that they are not in the skin of people too.” Johnson said.

These molecules not only detect oxygen, but help increase levels of vital red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Normal mice breathing in air that is 10 percent oxygen-a dangerously low level similar to conditions at the top of Mount Everest, and about half that of air at sea level. However, mice that had the oxygen sensor HIF-la genetically removed from their skin failed to produce this hormone even after hours of such low oxygen.

These findings, if they hold true in humans, suggest one could raise the level of oxygen circulating inside the body. This could help treat lung diseases and disorders such as anemia without injecting drugs, which make up a multibillion- dollar market, Johnson said.

Athletes also often try to get more oxygen delivered to their muscles in order to improve their performance. They often do this by training at high altitudes or in low-oxygen tents. The new study suggests they might want to expose their skin as well as breathing in low-oxygen air to improve their performance. “It's hard to say what exactly might be done, however-there's a lot we don't know yet,” Johnson explained. The scientists detailed their findings in the April 18 issue of the journal Cell.

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Johnson believes that Oxygen sensors also exist in human skin.

B.People have to surf the Internet to read detailed findings.

C.It has been proved that these findings help treat lung diseases.

D.It has long been expected oxygen sensors exist in mice's skin.

2.One of the functions of the molecules mentioned above is

A.carrying-oxygen around the body

B.improving athletes'performance

C.detecting oxygen

D.increasing level of oxygen

3.What is Johnson's attitude to the application of the findings to the athletes'training?

A.Negative B.Pessimistic C.Positive D.Hesitating

4.The best title of the passage may be

A.Great Findings Benefits Athletes A Lot

B.Frogs And Mice Are Distant Relatives

C.First Known Animal Breathes Through Skin

D.Humans Might Sense Oxygen Through Skin

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。这篇文章说明了我们身上可能会有通过皮肤感知氧气的能力的观点，以及科学家的相关实验调查。科学家指出如果这些发现适用于人类，那么就意味着可以提高体内循环的氧气水平。

1.

细节理解题。根据第三段中“No one had ever looked,” explained Randall Johnson, a biologist researcher. Mice and frogs are quite distant relatives, so the fact they have these molecules(分子) in common in their skin suggests they might well be found in the skin of other mammals, such as humans. “We have no reason to think that they are not in the skin of people too.” Johnson said.可知“从来没有人看过，”生物学家Randall Johnson解释说。老鼠和青蛙是远亲，所以它们在皮肤上有相同分子的事实表明它们很可能在其他哺乳动物的皮肤上也有，比如人类。他说：“我们没有理由认为它们不在人的皮肤里。”Johnson说。由此可知，A选项“Johnson认为，氧气传感器也存在于人类皮肤中”正确。故选A。

2.

细节理解题。根据第四段中These molecules not only detect oxygen, but help increase levels of vital red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.可知这些分子不仅能检测氧气，还能帮助提高至关重要的红细胞的水平，红细胞可以将氧气带到全身各处。由此可知，这些分子的功能之一是检测氧气。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据倒数第二段These findings, if they hold true in humans, suggest one could raise the level of oxygen circulating inside the body. This could help treat lung diseases and disorders such as anemia(贫血症) without injecting drugs, which make up a multibillion- dollar market, Johnson said.可知如果这些发现适用于人类，那么就意味着可以提高体内循环的氧气水平。Johnson说，这可以帮助治疗肺部疾病和贫血等疾病，而不需要注射药物，这将创造数十亿美元的市场。由此可推知，Johnson对这些发现持积极态度。故选C。

4.

主旨大意题。根据第一段A breathtaking trick potentially left over from our ancestors might be found in us-the ability to sense oxygen through our skin.可知我们的祖先可能遗留下来的一种惊人的技巧可能会在我们身上发现——通过皮肤感知氧气的能力。结合这篇文章说明了我们身上可能会有通过皮肤感知氧气的能力的观点，以及科学家的相关实验调查。科学家指出如果这些发现适用于人类，那么就意味着可以提高体内循环的氧气水平。由此可知，D选项“人类可能通过皮肤感知氧气”最符合文章标题。故选D。