LSAT Explanation PT 34, S3, Q19: Light is registered in the retina

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by the information above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem revolves around a passage discussing how light is registered in the retina and how the temperature of the retina affects the visual system. To help understand the passage, let's break it down into simpler terms:

1. Light is detected in the retina when particles of light (photons) hit molecules of a pigment called rhodopsin, changing their shape.

2. Sometimes, rhodopsin molecules change shape even without being hit by photons due to normal molecular motion, causing errors in the visual system.

3. The amount of this molecular motion is directly proportional to the temperature of the retina.

Now, let's consider an analogy to make this passage more accessible. Think of the retina as a room with a motion sensor (rhodopsin molecules). When someone enters the room (photons), the motion sensor detects the movement and turns on the light. However, sometimes the motion sensor gets triggered even when there's no one in the room, due to vibrations or other factors (molecular motion). The more vibrations in the room (higher temperature), the more likely the motion sensor will be triggered by mistake.

The question asks us to identify the conclusion that is most strongly supported by the information in the passage. This is a "Most Strongly Supported" question type.

Answer choice (A): The passage doesn't mention that the temperature of the retina depends on the amount of light it absorbs. The temperature could be affected by other factors, like body temperature.

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer. The passage states that the amount of molecular motion is directly proportional to the temperature of the retina, and that this motion causes visual errors. So, if an animal's body temperature matches its surroundings, hotter surroundings would cause more molecular motion and thus more visual errors than colder surroundings.

Answer choice (C): This answer choice is not supported by the passage. While the passage mentions that higher retinal temperature causes rhodopsin molecules to change shape, it doesn't mention anything about reaction time.

Answer choice (D): This answer choice introduces new information not mentioned in the passage. We don't know anything about the relationship between the surface area of the retina and the sensitivity of rhodopsin molecules to photons.

Answer choice (E): The passage focuses on rhodopsin, but it doesn't state that it is the only naturally occurring pigment molecule in the retina. There could be others.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (B), as it is the conclusion most strongly supported by the information in the passage.