PASSAGE 22

In two studies publicly presented on Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society for
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Orlando, Florida in the United States, scientists have disclosed
new steps toward using natural adhesives made by the dusky Arion slug (Arion subfuscus) in medical
applications such as in closing skin wounds and reducing scarring.
Arion slug secretes an unusual glue, making itself a difficult target for predators. This glue remains
both sticky and flexible and works even when the surface the slug is on is wet. Previous studies have
shown that, unlike many artificial adhesives, Arion slug glue is non-toxic to mammalian tissue.
Scientist Rebecca Falconer, an Ithaca College undergraduate who led one of the two studies, said
"Typical sutures like staples and stitches often lead to scarring and create holes in the skin that could
increase the chance of infection after surgery [...] Understanding the roles of adhesive proteins in the slug
glue would aid in the creation of a medical adhesive that can move and stretch yet still retain its strength
and adhesiveness." In her set of experiments, Falconer observed eleven proteins found only in the Arion
slug glue and used DNA recombination to produce usable amounts of each of these proteins, whereas
Christopher Gallego-Lazo, also an Ithaca undergraduate, evaluated the glue by focusing on the chemical
bonds within it. Gallego-Lazo found that slight changes in these chemical bonds could alter the strength
of the slug glue.
Gallego-Lazo said, "Few studies on biological adhesives have identified the exact nature of the bonds
holding the glue together. This knowledge can guide the development of an organic synthetic adhesive
that would reduce the risk of infection and scarring compared to stitches and staples and could be applied
rapidly and simply."
(Adapted from Wikinews)
Question 1. The word “disclosed” in the passage is closest in meaning to .
A. discovered B. approved C. revealed D. proved
Question 2. The word “its” in the third paragraph refers to .
A. slug glue B. adhesive proteins C. the creation D. medical adhesive
Question 3. According to the passage, all of the following characteristics of the slug glue have been
studied by scientists EXCEPT for .
A. Inner chemical bonds B. Toxicity
C. Adhesive proteins D. DNA recombination
Question 4. What is the passage mainly about?
A. New discoveries about artificial adhesives.
B. Ongoing research about a new type of organic glue.
C. The drawbacks of typical sutures.
D. Reducing the risk of infection caused by stiches and staples.
Question 5. The chemical bonds of the slug glue are being studied because .
A. they can directly alter the strength of the slug glue.
B. they can be used to produce usable amounts of adhesive proteins.
C. they can lead to infection like stiches and staples.
D. they can provide scientists with useful information.

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