Q: I read this background article the other day: Mantle melting can come about three ways: (1) when the temperature rises, (2) if the pressure lowers (which lowers the melting point), and (3) if water is added, which lowers the melting point. Two of these (1 and 3) might explain why there are volcanoes at convergent plate boundaries the temperature of the subducting plate increases as it sinks into the hot mantle (1). Sediments lying on top of the subducting plate contain water. As the sediments subduct, the water rises into the overlying mantle material. This lowers the melting temperature of the mantle (3). When the mantle above the subducting plate melts, volcanoes form above it. This leads to volcanoes in an island arc or continental arc. I am facing a new situation today: Two geologists studied the Earth's crust. Benny studied mantle melting, while Vinny studied more about crust displacement. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which scientist observed more mantles above the subducting plate melting?
A: Benny

Q: I read this background article the other day: One of the most common chromosome abnormalities is Down syndrome , due to nondisjunction of chromosome 21 resulting in an extra complete chromosome 21, or part of chromosome 21 ( Figure below ). Down syndrome is the only autosomal trisomy where an affected individual may survive to adulthood. Individuals with Down syndrome often have some degree of mental retardation, some impairment of physical growth, and a specific facial appearance. With proper assistance, individuals with Down syndrome can become successful, contributing members of society. The incidence of Down syndrome increases with maternal age. The risk of having a child with Down syndrome is significantly higher among women age 35 and older. I am facing a new situation today: Mary had two children. Her firs born was named Bill and was normal, and her second child was named Sam and had Down syndrome. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which child had a degree of mental retardation?
A: Sam

Q: I read this background article the other day: As time passes, the number of HIV copies keeps increasing, while the number of helper T cells keeps decreasing. The graph in Figure below shows how the number of T cells typically declines over a period of many years following the initial HIV infection. As the number of T cells decreases, so does the ability of the immune system to defend the body. As a result, an HIV-infected person develops frequent infections. Medicines can slow down the virus but not get rid of it, so there is no cure at present for HIV infections or AIDS. There also is no vaccine to immunize people against HIV infection, but scientists are working to develop one. I am facing a new situation today: Mike is a physician who treats HIV-infected patients. Today, he is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. Patient A is infected with HIV, but patient B is not infected with HIV. Mike is trying to figure out how HIV-infected patient is different from the patient who is not infected with HIV. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which patient would have stronger immune system, patient A or patient B?
A: patient B

Q: I read this background article the other day: A period of very low rainfall occurred while the Grants were on the islands. The drought resulted in fewer seeds for the finches to eat. Birds with smaller beaks could eat only the smaller seeds. Birds with bigger beaks were better off. They could eat seeds of all sizes. Therefore, there was more food available to them. Many of the small-beaked birds died in the drought. More of the big-beaked birds survived and reproduced. Within just a couple of years, the average beak size in the finches increased. This was clearly evolution by natural selection. I am facing a new situation today: Two bird islands in the Atlantic Ocean had very different climate changes during the last 5 years. Bone island experienced drought, while Finch island experienced flooding. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which island had none of the big-beaked birds die?
A:
Finch