夏说英语新闻晨读 第499期:兔子与绿萝杂交

 本期内容：

A humble¹ houseplant with a dash of rabbit DNA² could help lower our exposure to indoor air pollution, new research suggests. Scientists have revealed that by inserting a rabbit gene³ into devil’s ivy⁴ the plant is able to clean the surrounding air by breaking down chemicals such as benzene and chloroform, which in certain concentrations can harm health. The researchers say these chemicals end up in household air as a result of everyday activities, with chloroform released from chlorinated water during showering, and benzene from sources including outside air and smoking.

humble: adj. 不起眼的；卑微的；谦虚的
houseplant: n. 室内植物
dash: v. 猛冲；快速地冲刺；n. 一点点；少许
a dash of salt: 一点点盐
lower: v. 降低
exposure: n. 暴露
insert: v. 插入；植入
devil’s ivy: 绿萝
break down: 分解
benzene: n. 苯
benzene circle: 苯环
chloroform: n. 氯仿
concentration: n. 浓度

1 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

2 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

3 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

4 ivy   

n.常青藤，常春藤

参考例句：

• Her wedding bouquet consisted of roses and ivy.她的婚礼花篮包括玫瑰和长春藤。
• The wall is covered all over with ivy.墙上爬满了常春藤。