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Read the passage from "Carrots with Character,” which is an informational text about the health benefits of genetically modified carrots.

The researchers, led by plant geneticist Philipp Simon, haven't limited themselves to the color orange. They've selectively bred a rainbow of carrots—purple, red, yellow, even white. Scientists are learning that these plant pigments perform a range of protective duties in the human body—which is not surprising, says Simon, since many of the pigments serve to shield plant cells during photosynthesis.

Red carrots derive their color mainly from lycopene, a type of carotene believed to guard against heart disease and some cancers. Yellow carrots accumulate xanthophylls, pigments similar to beta-carotene that support good eye health. Purple carrots possess an entirely different class of pigments—anthocyanins—which act as powerful antioxidants.

While colored carrots are unusual, they're not exactly new. "Purple and yellow carrots were eaten more than 1,000 years ago in Afghanistan and 700 years ago in western Europe,” says Simon. "But the carrot-­breeding process has gone on intensively for just 50 years.”

Simon and his team of ARS researchers and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) have recently shown that their highly pigmented carrots are a ready source of some sought-after nutrients.

What is one example from the passage that provides evidence to support the central idea of the text?

"The researchers, led by plant geneticist Philipp Simon, haven't limited themselves to the color orange."

"They've selectively bred a rainbow of carrots—purple, red, yellow, even white."

"Red carrots derive their color mainly from lycopene, a type of carotene believed to guard against heart disease and some cancers."

"Purple and yellow carrots were eaten more than 1,000 years ago in Afghanistan and 700 years ago in western Europe,' says Simon."

User Patb
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2 Answers

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Answer:(a)

Step-by-step explanation:

"The researchers, led by plant geneticist Philipp Simon, haven't limited themselves to the color orange."

User Alpedar
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7 votes

Answer:

A. The researchers, led by plant geneticist Philipp Simon, haven't limited themselves to the color orange."

Step-by-step explanation:

'Carrorts with Character' is an article written by Erin K. Peabody. The article talks about genetically created carrots by geneticist Philipp Simon and health benefits of these variant colorful carrots.

The central idea, therefore, is the genetically carrots created by genecist Philipp Simon.

The supporting evidence, thus, for the text is option A. This statement supports the central idea that Philipp Simon, a genecist, did not stop at red carrot only but created a rainbow of carrots with different health benefits.

Therefore, option A is correct.

User Dayton Tex
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