While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Neuroscientists Krishnan Padmanabhan and Zhen Chen sought to better understand...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Neuroscientists Krishnan Padmanabhan and Zhen Chen sought to better understand the workings of the brain's olfactory system.
- They devised a study using mathematical models.
- They found that certain fibers allow the brain to toggle from one method of processing smells to another.
- In one method, cells in the piriform cortex (where the perception of odor forms) capture olfactory information at a given moment.
- In the other, the cells track changes in olfactory information over time.
The student wants to summarize the study's findings. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
To arrive at these findings, which describe dual methods of processing smells in the piriform cortex, Padmanabhan and Chen devised a study using mathematical models.
Padmanabhan and Chen showed that olfactory information is captured by cells in the piriform cortex, where the perception of odor forms.
Using mathematical models, Padmanabhan and Chen devised a study to better understand the workings of the brain's olfactory system.
According to Padmanabhan and Chen, the brain can toggle between capturing olfactory information at a given moment and tracking changes in that information over time.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Neuroscientists Krishnan Padmanabhan and Zhen Chen sought to better understand the workings of the brain's olfactory system. |
|
| They devised a study using mathematical models. |
|
| They found that certain fibers allow the brain to toggle from one method of processing smells to another. |
|
| In one method, cells in the piriform cortex capture olfactory information at a given moment. |
|
| In the other, the cells track changes in olfactory information over time. |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Padmanabhan and Chen discovered that the brain can switch between two different methods of processing smell information.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the researchers' goal to understand the olfactory system, describe their mathematical modeling approach, then reveal their key finding that the brain can toggle between two distinct smell processing methods - one that captures information at a moment in time and another that tracks changes over time.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to summarize the study's findings.
What type of answer do we need? A summary that captures the key discoveries/results from the research.
Any limiting keywords? "findings" is crucial - we need to focus on what was discovered, not the methodology or background context.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- It should focus on the key finding about the brain's ability to toggle between processing methods
- It should mention both processing methods (capturing info at a moment vs tracking changes over time)
- It should present this as a discovery/finding rather than focusing on methodology or background
To arrive at these findings, which describe dual methods of processing smells in the piriform cortex, Padmanabhan and Chen devised a study using mathematical models.
- Mentions the findings but leads with methodology
- While it mentions "dual methods," it buries the actual findings behind the research process
Padmanabhan and Chen showed that olfactory information is captured by cells in the piriform cortex, where the perception of odor forms.
- Only describes one aspect of the research
- Completely misses the key finding about toggling between two different processing methods
Using mathematical models, Padmanabhan and Chen devised a study to better understand the workings of the brain's olfactory system.
- Describes what the researchers did, not what they found
- Focuses entirely on methodology and research goals
According to Padmanabhan and Chen, the brain can toggle between capturing olfactory information at a given moment and tracking changes in that information over time.
- Directly states the key finding about the brain's ability to toggle between two processing methods
- Clearly describes both methods and focuses on the discovery itself