The concept of 'biological immortality' has long fascinated scientists, yet its practical implications remain poorly understood. Recent research on the hydra, a freshwater invertebrate, suggests that its stem cells possess an extraordinary capacity for continuous self-renewal, effectively bypassing senescence. However, this does not imply invulnerability; hydras still succumb to predation, disease, or environmental stress. In contrast, some species of jellyfish, such as Turritopsis dohrnii, can revert to an earlier developmental stage after reaching maturity, a process akin to cellular reprogramming. While these discoveries hint at mechanisms that could inform human aging research, experts caution that translating such regenerative abilities to complex organisms like mammals is fraught with obstacles, including the risk of uncontrolled cell growth, which could lead to cancer. Thus, while biological immortality offers a compelling model for studying longevity, its direct application to human medicine remains speculative at best.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 히드라나 해파리 같은 생물체의 재생 메커니즘을 인간 의학에 적용하는 데 있어 주요 도전 과제는 무엇인가?
A. A. 이 생물들은 인간과 진화적으로 너무 멀리 떨어져 있어 어떤 비교도 불가능하다.
B. B. 재생 과정이 암과 같은 유해한 세포 증식을 유발할 수 있다.
C. C. 인간 줄기세포는 어떠한 상황에서도 재프로그래밍될 수 없다.
D. D. 히드라와 해파리의 수명은 의미 있는 연구를 하기에는 너무 짧다.
✅ 正确答案
B. The regeneration process may trigger harmful cell proliferation, such as cancer.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
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