Reading
Before you start reading, study the following vocabulary:
Species
Disease
Find out
Gene
Notice
Advantage
Extinct
Survivor
Devil
Black cats bring good luck
Black cats, once considered unlucky, may bring good luck.
Different genetic mutations give black coats to different species of cats. Some of the mutations are in genes that, in humans, are linked with diseases such as AIDS, a team at the National Cancer Institute and the University of Maryland found.
Dr. Stephen O'Brien, Eduardo Eizirik and colleagues wanted to find out what made cats black, because such genes are often connected with protection against disease.
Black cats can hunt better at night, he said, "but there is another fascinating thing which I noticed because I work with the Cancer Institute."
For example, his team found that a gene called MC1R makes jaguars black when mutated. Humans also have an MC1R gene that, when mutated, gives some people red hair.
The team's next step is to look for possible advantages the mutations may have. Making the cats black may just be a side effect, O'Brien said.
He said that 99.99 percent of all animals that ever lived have gone extinct. "The ones we have now are the survivors," he added.
The research started because the team wanted to know why there are black jaguars, leopards and house cats, but no black tigers or lions, O'Brien said.
Once people saw black cats as agents of the devil. Perhaps they will bring good luck.
Questions
Are the following statements about the text correct?
1. "The team's next step is to look for possible advantages the mutations may have." means the team finished the project.
2. Black colour makes cats better hunters at night.
3. In the past people thought that black cats were lucky.
4. Mutations are often connected with diseases.
5. "99.99 percent of all animals that ever lived have gone extinct" means that nearly 100% of all animals died.
6. The MCR1 gene gives some people brown hair.
7. "Perhaps they will bring good luck" means they will definitely bring good luck.
8. Mr O'Brien and his colleagues wanted to find out what made cats black.
9. "Making the cats black may just be a side effect" means there is something more important about the black colour.
10. There are also black tigers.