Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Growth may be defined as the quantitative increase in size or mass. When weight is measured in kilograms and height in centimetres from time to time, we can know how much growth has occurred in a child. When the organs of the body grow, the number, the size and the weight of their cells increase. Growth can be measured in terms of the change in length, width, depth and volume in a specific time period. Although growth is a characteristic of living beings, in all living beings, the rate of growth also depends on nutrition and living conditions, including the environment at home.
Growth, development and maturation occur side by side. Growth is a quantitative increase in size through increase in number of cells or elongation of cells. Development may be defined as the progression of changes, both qualitative and quantitative, which lead to an undifferentiated mass of cells to a highly organised state. Maturation is a measure of functional capacity. For example, a child begins to speak by making unintelligible sounds. Then, slowly it acquires the capacity for speaking in a manner, which is easily understood by others. Another example of maturation is when a child begins to crawl and then matures to a state of walking on two legs. Similarly, organs of reproduction reach maturity at the end of puberty.

Which of the following factor does not affect the rate of growth in living beings?

  1. Living conditions
  2. Nutrition 
  3. Skin tone 
  4. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Skin tone 
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is option 3), i.e. skin tone. 

Key Points

  • The answer can be found in the line, “Although growth is a characteristic of living beings, in all living beings, the rate of growth also depends on nutrition and living conditions, including the environment at home.” - here in this line, there is no mention of "skin tone". 
  • The only option which gives us the correct answer is option 3). 
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