Question

Read the text below and answer the question. The widespread destruction of tropical rainforest ecosystems and the consequent extinction of numerous plant and animal species is happening before we know even the most basic facts about what we are losing. Covering only 6 percent of the Earth's surface, tropical moist forests contain at least half of all species. The abundant botanical resources of tropical forests have already provided substantial medical advances; yet only 1 percent of the known plant and animal species have been carefully examined for their medicinal potentials. Meanwhile, 2 percent of the world's rainforests are irreparably damaged each year. Scientists estimate that, at the accelerating rate at which rainforests are now being destroyed, as much as 20 or 25 percent of the world's plant species will soon be extinct. Approximately 7,000 medical compounds prescribed by Western doctors are obtained from plants. Seventy percent of the 3,000 plants identified by the United States National Cancer Institute as having potential anti-cancer properties are characteristic of the rainforest. For maladies ranging from persistent headaches to lethal contagions such as malaria, rainforest medicines _______________ modern society with a variety of cures and pain relievers. Chemical structures of forest organisms sometimes __________________ as models from which scientists and researchers can chemically synthesize drug compounds. The chemical structures of most natural drugs are very complex, and simple extraction is usually less expensive than synthesis. Ninety percent of the prescription drugs that are based on higher plants include direct extractions from plants. Rainforest plants provide aids for research. Certain plant compounds enable scientists to understand how cancer cells grow, while others serve as testing agents for potentially harmful food and drug products. Tropical forests offer hope for safer contraceptives for both women and men. Worldwide, approximately 4,000 plant species ___________________ contraceptive possibilities. The rainforest also holds secrets for safer pesticides for farmers. Who knows what other tricks the rainforest might have up its leaves?

Mark the title that best expresses the main idea of the text.
A "Daily life in the rainforest."
B "How to protect world ecosystems."
C "Diseases caused by the rainforest."
D "Rainforests: pharmacy to the world."
E "Paradise lost: the devastated rainforest."

Answer 1

Resposta:

Letra D - Rainforests: pharmacy to the world.

O texto cita a medicina na maioria dos parágrafos.