Question

The author of the passage most probably discusses the function of tactile receptors as indicated in the lines of the passage by (*) in order to:

• A. eliminate and alternative explanation of anteaters’ response to electrical stimuli
• B. highlight a type of sensory organ that has a function identical to that of electroreceptors
• C. point out a serious complication in the research on electroreceptors in anteaters.
• D. suggest that tactile receptors assist electroreceptors in the detection of electrical signals.

Answer 1

The correct option is A eliminate and alternative explanation of anteaters’ response to electrical stimuli

The best answer is A. Because tactile receptors also respond to electrical stimulation, the researchers’ conclusion that electroreceptors exist is valid only if it can be demonstrated that the nervous activity recorded in the anteater’s brain did not originate in the tactile receptors.
There is no indication in the passage that tactile receptors function like electroreceptors (B) or that tactile receptors assist electroreceptors (D).
There is no information in the passage to suggest that the presence of tactile receptors complicated research onelectroreceptors, so (C) is not correct.