While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacterial organisms living...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacterial organisms living in the human digestive system.
- Dr. Emeran Mayer is a leading gastroenterologist who studies connections between digestive bacteria and mental health.
- Mayer and other researchers propose that gut bacteria communicate with the brain through multiple pathways.
- This communication system is called the gut-brain axis theory.
- Clinical studies have shown correlations between specific bacterial strains and conditions like depression and anxiety.
The student wants to explain the gut-brain axis theory to an audience unfamiliar with microbiome research. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The gut-brain axis theory proposes that gut bacteria, consisting of trillions of organisms in the digestive system, communicate with the brain through multiple pathways.
Clinical studies have shown correlations between specific bacterial strains and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Dr. Emeran Mayer and other researchers have discovered important connections between digestive bacteria and mental health.
Microbiome research has revealed that gut bacteria influence human health in many different ways.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacterial organisms living in the human digestive system.' |
|
| 'Dr. Emeran Mayer is a leading gastroenterologist who studies connections between digestive bacteria and mental health.' |
|
| 'Mayer and other researchers propose that gut bacteria communicate with the brain through multiple pathways.' |
|
| 'This communication system is called the gut-brain axis theory.' |
|
| 'Clinical studies have shown correlations between specific bacterial strains and conditions like depression and anxiety.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers propose the gut-brain axis theory, which suggests that gut bacteria communicate with the brain through multiple pathways, with clinical studies supporting connections between specific bacterial strains and mental health conditions.
Argument Flow: The notes start by defining what the gut microbiome is, then introduce the leading researcher in this field. They present the core scientific proposal that gut bacteria communicate with the brain, give this theory its formal name, and conclude with evidence from clinical studies that support these proposed connections.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively explains the gut-brain axis theory using relevant information from the notes
What type of answer do we need? An explanation that would make sense to someone unfamiliar with microbiome research
Any limiting keywords? Most effectively uses relevant information means we need to combine multiple pieces from the notes, and unfamiliar with microbiome research means we need both definition and explanation
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- For an audience unfamiliar with microbiome research, we need to start with the basics
- They would not know what gut bacteria are, so the answer should include that fundamental information from our first bullet point
- Since they want to understand the theory itself, we need the core proposal from our third bullet point - that gut bacteria communicate with the brain through multiple pathways
- The formal name from the fourth bullet point helps tie it together
- The right answer should combine basic definition (what gut bacteria are) with the theory's core claim (how they communicate with the brain), making it accessible to newcomers while being scientifically accurate
The gut-brain axis theory proposes that gut bacteria, consisting of trillions of organisms in the digestive system, communicate with the brain through multiple pathways.
✓ Correct
- Combines the definition of gut bacteria (trillions of organisms in the digestive system) with the theory's core proposal (communicate with the brain through multiple pathways)
- Uses relevant information from bullets 1, 3, and 4 to create a complete explanation
- Perfect for an unfamiliar audience because it starts with what gut bacteria are before explaining what the theory proposes
Clinical studies have shown correlations between specific bacterial strains and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
✗ Incorrect
- Only presents evidence from clinical studies without explaining what the theory actually is
- Someone unfamiliar with microbiome research would read this and still not understand what the gut-brain axis theory proposes
- What trap this represents: Students might think evidence alone explains a theory, but evidence supports a theory rather than defining it
Dr. Emeran Mayer and other researchers have discovered important connections between digestive bacteria and mental health.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions that researchers discovered connections without explaining what the theory proposes
- Too vague - does not use the specific information from the notes about communication pathways
- An unfamiliar audience would still not understand what the gut-brain axis theory actually claims
Microbiome research has revealed that gut bacteria influence human health in many different ways.
✗ Incorrect
- Too general and broad - talks about gut bacteria influencing health in many different ways rather than the specific communication mechanism
- Does not even mention the gut-brain axis theory by name or explain its specific claims
- What trap this represents: Students might think a general statement about the topic is sufficient, but the question specifically asks for an explanation of the theory itself