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Difficulty: MediumExplicit Details

The Antarctic hair grass (*Deschampsia antarctica*) is one of only two flowering plant species native to Antarctica. To survive the region’s extreme cold and high ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the plant produces high concentrations of sucrose and specialized proteins, such as dehydrins. Sucrose acts as a natural cryoprotectant, preventing ice crystal formation within the plant's cells, while dehydrins stabilize cell membranes during sudden freezing events. Researchers have also observed that *D. antarctica* exhibits an unusually high rate of self-pollination, a reproductive strategy that minimizes its reliance on insect pollinators, which are extremely scarce in the harsh Antarctic environment.

Based on the text, what is true of the dehydrins produced by *Deschampsia antarctica*?

  1. A
    They prevent the formation of ice crystals within the plant's cells.
  2. B
    They protect the plant from the damaging effects of high ultraviolet radiation by absorbing light.
  3. They help stabilize the plant's cell membranes during sudden freezing events.Answer
  4. D
    They allow the plant to reproduce without relying on insect pollinators.

Answer

They help stabilize the plant's cell membranes during sudden freezing events.
The correct option is supported by the text, which explicitly states that 'dehydrins stabilize cell membranes during sudden freezing events.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target of the question in the passage.
The question asks about the function or characteristics of dehydrins in *Deschampsia antarctica*.
This focuses the reading on the specific section of the text discussing dehydrins.
2
Locate the explicit detail regarding dehydrins in the passage.
The text states: 'dehydrins stabilize cell membranes during sudden freezing events.'
An explicit details question requires identifying information directly stated in the text.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that directly matches the located text.
The option stating that dehydrins help stabilize the plant's cell membranes during sudden freezing events directly matches the explicit detail.
This confirms the correct option while eliminating choices that misread details, speculate, or reference other parts of the text.

Key Concept

Explicit Details
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Explicit Details

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