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Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.  
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?
  • a)
    Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.
  • b)
    The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.
  • c)
    Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.
  • d)
    Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.
  • e)
    Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark i...
Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.  
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
The conclusion states that this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.
Pre-Thinking Approach
Let’s see how we can make the conclusion more believable.  To do so, we will look at the logical structure, focusing on linkage1.. Thus the way to strengthen the conclusion will be to support this linkage.
Linkage#1
The author draws a connection between the mentioned fossil and the date of the stated form of self-preservation in marine organisms on the basis of the link between the fossil and the Belemnotheutis Antiquus. Therefore, a possible way to strengthen the conclusion would be to strengthen this link.
  • Strengthener 1 – Some additional evidence that suggests that the fossil from the Jurassic period, discovered in the Wiltshire region, was of the Belemnotheutis Antiquus species.
With this pre-thinking in mind, let’s evaluate the answer choices.
Answer Choices
A
Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Having functions other than self-preservation doesn’t tell us whether the mentioned form of self-preservation is at least 155 years old.
B
The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Information about other features in the present-day species of squid does not help us support that the mechanism is at least 155 million years old.
C
Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.
Incorrect - No new information
The fact that other marine organisms also have similar ink-sacs doesn’t tell us anything new; the passage already talks about “many” marine organisms using this technique.
D
Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Forms of self-preservation in land-based organisms have no stated bearing on the argument that focuses on marine organisms.
E
Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.
Correct
This choice is written along the lines of our pre-thinking per Linkage #1, strengthener 1. The information provided in this choice increases our belief in the fact that the fossil mentioned in the passage could also be of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family.
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Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2025 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
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Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. 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Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Many marine organisms defend themselves from predators, using a dark ink-like pigment secreted from an inch-long sac attached to their epidermis. A fossil from the Jurassic period, dated at almost 155 million years old and discovered in the Wiltshire region, contains a perfectly-preserved ink-sac that was probably from a now-extinct species of squid, the Belemnotheutis Antiquus, whose exact origins had not been previously established. Therefore, this form of self-preservation in marine organisms is at least 155 million years old.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion above?a)Ink-sacs in marine organisms have functions other than self-preservation.b)The Belemnotheutis Antiquus had physiological features that exist only as inactive organs in some present-day species of squid.c)Marine organisms other than squids also have epidermal ink-sacs that the organisms use to ward off predators.d)Fossils found in the Wiltshire region have previously provided evidence that land-based organisms from the Jurassic period had epidermal organs with the function of self-preservation.e)Remains of a squid belonging to the Belemnotheutis Antiquus family were also found in the Wiltshire region and estimated to be from the Jurassic period.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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