Question:

The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Zombie cells may contribute to age-related chronic inflammation: this finding could help scientists understand more about the aging process and why the immune system becomes less effective as we get older. Zombie or “senescent” cells are damaged cells that can no longer divide and grow like normal cells. Scientists think that these cells can contribute to chronic health problems when they accumulate in the body. In younger people, the immune system is more effective at clearing senescent cells from the body through a process called apoptosis, but as we age this process becomes less efficient. As a result, there is an accumulation of senescent cells in different organs in the body, either through increased production or reduced clearance by the immune system. The zombie cells continue to use energy though they do not divide, and often secrete chemicals that cause inflammation, which if persistent for longer periods of time can damage healthy cells leading to chronic diseases.

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When selecting summaries, choose the option that captures the full causal sequence presented in the passage without adding new claims or omitting key steps.
Updated On: Jan 3, 2026
  • Senescent “zombie” cells are inactive or malfunctioning cells that can be found throughout the body.
  • A younger person’s immune system is healthy and is able to clear the damaged cells, but as people age, the zombie cells resist apoptosis, and start accumulating in the body.
  • Aging leads to less effective apoptosis, and therefore zombie cells start to accumulate in the body, causing inflammation, which accelerates aging and leads to chronic diseases.
  • Dead cells accelerate chronic inflammation weakening the immune system and lead to aging.
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The Correct Option is C

Approach Solution - 1

To determine the best summary for the passage about zombie cells and their role in aging and chronic inflammation, let's analyze each of the provided options in the context of the given passage. We'll assess how accurately each option captures the essence of the passage.

  1. The passage discusses "zombie" or "senescent" cells, which are damaged cells that cease to divide and grow normally but are not completely inactive; they continue to utilize energy and secrete chemicals that can cause inflammation. This establishes the background for the impact of these cells as we age.
  2. Option: Senescent “zombie” cells are inactive or malfunctioning cells that can be found throughout the body.
    • This option suggests that these cells are merely inactive or malfunctioning. While it accurately identifies that zombie cells are present in the body, it does not fully capture how they actively contribute to inflammation and aging as described in the passage.
  3. Option: A younger person’s immune system is healthy and is able to clear the damaged cells, but as people age, the zombie cells resist apoptosis, and start accumulating in the body. 
    • This option highlights the difference in how younger vs. older immune systems handle senescent cells. Although true, it does not encompass the resultant chronic inflammation and its link to aging processes highlighted in the passage.
  4. Option: Aging leads to less effective apoptosis, and therefore zombie cells start to accumulate in the body, causing inflammation, which accelerates aging and leads to chronic diseases.
    • This option accurately summarizes the passage by explaining how the decreased efficiency of apoptosis in aging leads to an accumulation of zombie cells, which then cause inflammation. This inflammation, when persistent, contributes to chronic diseases and speeds up the aging process. This captures the full cycle described in the text, from immune efficiency to disease onset.
  5. Option: Dead cells accelerate chronic inflammation weakening the immune system and lead to aging.
    • This option incorrectly focuses on dead cells, whereas the passage specifically discusses senescent cells, which are alive but non-dividing. Furthermore, it doesn’t clearly connect the accumulation and action of these cells to chronic inflammation and disease as described in the passage.

Therefore, the most comprehensive and accurate summary of the passage is: Aging leads to less effective apoptosis, and therefore zombie cells start to accumulate in the body, causing inflammation, which accelerates aging and leads to chronic diseases.

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Approach Solution -2

Step 1: Identify the main ideas of the passage. & nbsp;

The passage explains:

  • What senescent (“zombie”) cells are — damaged, non-dividing cells.
  • Young immune systems clear these cells, but aging reduces this ability.
  • As a result, zombie cells accumulate.
  • These accumulated cells release inflammatory chemicals.
  • Chronic inflammation contributes to age-related diseases.

A good summary must integrate all of these points: aging → reduced apoptosis → accumulation → inflammation → chronic disease.

Step 2: Evaluate the options.

  • Option (1): Too general. It merely defines zombie cells; it does not capture the mechanism or implications.
  • Option (2): Partially correct but incomplete. It mentions aging and accumulation but omits inflammation and chronic disease, which are central to the passage.
  • Option (3): Correct. This option captures:
    • aging reduces apoptosis,
    • accumulation of zombie cells,
    • inflammation,
    • chronic disease progression.
  • Option (4): Incorrect. Zombie cells are not dead cells. The passage also does not say inflammation causes aging; rather, zombie cells contribute to chronic disease.

Conclusion:

Thus, the best summary is Option (3).

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