Reading: Puzzling Questions and Scientific Reasons - Unit 07

Student: Suárez Gonzáles, María Fé

I. Read carefully and answer the questions.

1. What was the experience the biology teacher share with the students?
The biology teacher told his students that it was possible to drink snake venom and survive,
because the venom is a protein and it would be broken down by the digestive process.

2. What did you learn from the Zambian snake expert?

I learned that snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, which will be broken down into
harmless amino acids and absorbed, like the digestion products of all proteins. And that the
venom has to enter the bloodstream to have an effect, which is why snakes bite with hypodermic
fangs.

3. What does snake venom consist of?

Snake venom consists of a complex mixture of proteins.

4. What happens if you swallow venom?

If you swallow venom, provided you have no cuts in your gastrointestinal tract, the proteins will
be broken down into harmless amino acids and absorbed, like the products of all protein digestion.

5. What does stumped mean?

To be unable to answer a question or solve a problem because it is too difficult. For example: I'm
completely stumped - how did she manage to escape?

II. Skim the article and answer with True (T) or False (F).

1. Arsenic is affected by the digestive process. (F)

2. It (arsenic) may arise from inhaling arsenical gases, dust or drinking contaminated water. (T)

3. There are no accounts of people who have tolerance to poison by repeated small doses. (F)

4. Material from paper to titanium doesn’t vibrate. (F)

5. According to the article venom is deadly if taken orally. (T)