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Difficulty: Very hardBridging Gap (Supporter) Assumptions

Marine Biologist: The foundational organisms in the aphotic Midnight Trench ecosystem derive their energy exclusively from hydrogen sulfide. Surviving the extreme toxicity of this compound requires these organisms to constantly dedicate substantial energy to cellular repair, which in turn results in an exceptionally high baseline metabolic rate. Therefore, these organisms must have significantly shorter lifespans than typical photosynthetic marine organisms, and the ecosystem's broader food web must be unusually vulnerable to sudden collapse.

Which of the following statements function as necessary supporter assumptions required to bridge the logical gaps in the marine biologist's argument? (Select all that apply)

  1. An exceptionally high baseline metabolic rate is incompatible with a lifespan as long as that of typical photosynthetic marine organisms.Answer
  2. Ecosystems whose foundational organisms dedicate substantial energy to cellular repair have food webs that are unusually vulnerable to sudden collapse.Answer
  3. C
    If a marine ecosystem's food web is unusually vulnerable to sudden collapse, its foundational organisms must have an exceptionally high baseline metabolic rate.
  4. D
    Typical photosynthetic marine organisms do not dedicate any portion of their metabolic energy to repairing cellular damage.
  5. E
    Organisms that have significantly shorter lifespans than typical photosynthetic marine organisms inevitably cause their food webs to be unusually vulnerable to sudden collapse.

Answer

The statements connecting the high metabolic rate to shorter lifespans, and connecting the cellular repair energy demand to food web vulnerability.
The argument contains a compound conclusion with two entirely new concepts: 'shorter lifespans' and 'vulnerable to sudden collapse'. To validate the conclusion, we must bridge the premises to these new concepts. One correct statement connects the premise of an 'exceptionally high baseline metabolic rate' to the conclusion of a 'shorter lifespan'. The other correct statement connects the premise of 'dedicating substantial energy to cellular repair' to the conclusion of a 'vulnerable food web'. Both are logically necessary for the dual conclusion to hold true.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core premises of the argument.
The foundational organisms use hydrogen sulfide, require substantial energy for cellular repair, and consequently have an exceptionally high baseline metabolic rate.
Understanding the exact evidence provided is the first step in finding the logical gaps.
2
Identify the main conclusion.
The conclusion contains two distinct claims: 1) The organisms have shorter lifespans than typical photosynthetic organisms, and 2) the food web is unusually vulnerable to collapse.
Supporter assumptions must directly link premise elements to rogue elements introduced in the conclusion.
3
Locate the logical gaps.
There is no stated connection between 'high metabolic rate' and 'shorter lifespans', nor between 'cellular repair/metabolic rate' and 'vulnerable food webs'.
In LSAT logic, you cannot introduce new concepts in the conclusion without a bridging assumption.
4
Select the assumptions that specifically bridge these gaps.
One correct option bridges high metabolic rate to shorter lifespans. The other bridges cellular repair to food web vulnerability.
Since the question asks to select all that apply, both required bridging statements must be chosen.

Key Concept

Bridging Gap (Supporter) Assumptions
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Bridging Gap (Supporter) Assumptions

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