Cells, including those of yeast , plants, animals and humans, all contain gene regulatory circuits that are responsible for many physiological functions ,including aging.However , a team of researchers at the University of California , SamDiego , discovered that cells do not necessarily age the same way. The researchers envisioned a "smart aging process" that would extend cellular longevity by cycling deteriorat ion from one aging mechanism to another. They genetically rewired the circuit that controls cell aging and engineered a clock -like apparatus called a gene oscillator The device causes a cell to periodically switch between two determined "aged" states, avoiding prolonged commitment to either and thereby __ Which choice most logically completes the text? A) accumulating errors in its DN A. B) deterioratin at a slower rate. C) communicating more rapidly with other cells. D) replicating at an accelerated pace.

## Step 1<br />The problem is a reading comprehension question, which requires us to understand the context and the information provided in the passage. The passage discusses the concept of "smart aging process", a theory that suggests cells could age differently and potentially live longer by alternating between two "aged" states.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The passage mentions that the researchers have engineered a "gene oscillator", a device that causes a periodically switch between two determined "aged" states. This is done to avoid prolonged commitment to either state.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The passage does not provide any information about the cell's DNA errors, communication with other cells, or replication pace. Therefore, options A, C, and D can be eliminated.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The passage implies that the cell is avoiding a prolonged commitment to either state, which could lead to a slower rate of deterioration. This aligns with option B.