The Intricate Web of Spider Silk
Spider silk is an amazing substance. It's stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar, yet it remains lightweight and flexible. Spiders use it for various purposes such as weaving webs, creating egg sacs, and even as a lifeline when they fall.
Scientists believe the silk's remarkable properties come from its complex structure. It's primarily composed of protein fibrils encased in a protein coating. When a spider spins silk, it pulls the silk proteins through a narrow duct that alters the protein structure, transforming it into solid silk. This process is a bit analogous to pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
However, despite years of research, replicating spider silk's strength and versatility in a lab remains elusive. Part of the problem is that spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming. An allusion to the story of Arachne, a talented weaver who was turned into a spider for her hubris, seems apt here.
The journey to understanding and possibly replicating spider silk continues. Each thread spun brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of this fascinating material.
1. What is the central idea of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
a. Spiders are solitary creatures.
d. The process of pulling thread through the eye of a needle
b. The properties of spider silk and the challenges in replicating it.
c. The story of Arachne, the weaver.
b. The properties of spider silk and the challenges in replicating it.
2. What is the main purpose of the third paragraph?(1 point)
Responses
b. To describe the structure of spider silk and the process by which spiders produce it.
b. To describe the structure of spider silk and the process by which spiders produce it.
d. To illustrate the various uses of spider silk.
d. To illustrate the various uses of spider silk.
a. To discuss the difficulty in farming spiders.
a. To discuss the difficulty in farming spiders.
c. To make an analogy between the creation of spider silk and threading a needle.
c. To make an analogy between the creation of spider silk and threading a needle.
Thats incorrect since the third paragraph (However, despite years of research, replicating spider silk's strength and versatility in a lab remains elusive. Part of the problem is that spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming. An allusion to the story of Arachne, a talented weaver who was turned into a spider for her hubris, seems apt here.) doesn't mention anything about a needle.
Apologies for the confusion. You are correct. The main purpose of the third paragraph is to discuss the difficulty in farming spiders and the challenges in replicating spider silk in a lab.
3. How does the text distinguish between the uses of spider silk by spiders and by humans?(1 point)
Responses
a. It states that humans use spider silk for the same purposes as spiders.
d. It shows that humans use spider silk more efficiently than spiders do.
c. It explains that humans are trying to replicate spider silk for various uses, whereas spiders use it for survival.
b. It doesn't distinguish between the uses.
c. It explains that humans are trying to replicate spider silk for various uses, whereas spiders use it for survival.
4. According to the text, why is it difficult to farm spiders for silk?(1 point)
Responses
a. Because spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
a. Because spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
c. Because spider silk is too expensive to farm.
c. Because spider silk is too expensive to farm.
d. The text does not provide this information.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
5. Define "analogous" based on how it's used in the text.(1 point)
Responses
b. Completely identical.
b. Completely identical.
c. Completely different.
c. Completely different.
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects
d. Opposite or contrasted.