LSAT Explanation PT 40, S1, Q24: Biologist: We know the following things

LSAT Question Stem

From the biologist's statements, which one of the following can be properly inferred about the specimen of plant X in the biologist's garden? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the information in the passage. The biologist provides us with a series of facts about plant X:

1. Fuzzy seeds (FS) always lead to long stems (LS) but never white flowers (WF).

2. Curled leaves (CL) always lead to white flowers (WF).

3. Thorny seedpods (TS) always lead to curled leaves (CL).

The question type is Must Be True (MBT), which means we need to find the answer choice that can be properly inferred from the given information. The biologist's garden specimen has a long stem (LS) and curled leaves (CL). Now, let's evaluate each answer choice.

a) It has white flowers and thorny seedpods.

We know that curled leaves (CL) always lead to white flowers (WF), so it's true that the specimen has white flowers. However, we don't have enough information to infer that it has thorny seedpods (TS). So, this answer choice is not correct.

b) It has white flowers but lacks thorny seedpods.

Again, we know that the specimen has white flowers due to its curled leaves (CL). But we can't infer that it lacks thorny seedpods (TS) from the given information. So, this answer choice is not correct.

c) It has white flowers but lacks fuzzy seeds.

We know that the specimen has white flowers (WF) because of its curled leaves (CL). Since fuzzy seeds (FS) never lead to white flowers, we can infer that the specimen lacks fuzzy seeds. This answer choice is correct.

d) It has fuzzy seeds and thorny seedpods.

We know that the specimen has curled leaves (CL), which always lead to white flowers (WF). Since fuzzy seeds (FS) never lead to white flowers, we can infer that the specimen does not have fuzzy seeds. Therefore, this answer choice is not correct.

e) It lacks both white flowers and fuzzy seeds.

We know that the specimen has curled leaves (CL), which always lead to white flowers (WF). So, it cannot lack white flowers. This answer choice is not correct.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C: the specimen has white flowers but lacks fuzzy seeds. This is because curled leaves (CL) always lead to white flowers (WF), and fuzzy seeds (FS) never lead to white flowers.