(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Plant biologists have thought of a clever new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent. They have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that is responsible for photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction in the world. It is the process where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide into oxygen. This means we can all breathe. The scientists have found a way for plants to use the energy they get from sunlight better, so they grow bigger and produce more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team is genetically modifying staple crops such as rice, wheat, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.
The scientists targeted the mechanism that plants use to protect themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are too strong. To prevent damage, plants turn their energy into heat, which disappears into the air. However, this heat-loss process continues even when clouds block the Sun. The scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These additional copies speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more quickly return to using energy to grow. Professor Long believes this could help the world's food needs. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops, "that would greatly [reduce] what we see as the future pressure on food supply".
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词汇学习
1.genetically adv.创始；遗传学；生殖；基因
We are all genetically programmed to develop certain illnesses.
基因决定了我们都会患上某些疾病。
2.staple n.主食
Rice is the staple food of more than half the world's population.
稻米是全世界一半以上人口的主食。
3.block vt.阻止；阻塞，阻挡
I started to move round him, but he blocked my way.
我准备绕过他，但他挡住了我。
4.additional adj.额外的，附加的
There are additional publications of special relevance to new graduates.
还有对于新毕业生来说特别重要的其他出版物。
5.modify vt.改变；减轻，减缓
The club members did agree to modify their recruitment policy.
俱乐部成员的确同意修改吸纳新成员的政策。
内容解析
1.These additional copies speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more quickly return to using energy to grow.
speed up（使）加速；开快车；加紧
Action had been taken to speed up the release of cheques.
已经采取行动加速支票的发放。
2.They have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that is responsible for photosynthesis.
responsible for为…负责
I feel partly responsible for the problems we're in.
我觉得应为我们遭遇的问题负部分责任。
参考翻译
植物生物学家想到了一个聪明的新方法，可以让作物的尺寸增加20%。他们对植物中负责光合作用的部分机制进行了基因改造。当然，光合作用是世界上最重要的化学反应。在这个过程中，植物利用阳光将二氧化碳转化为氧气。这样我们才能呼吸。科学家发现了更好地利用从阳光中获得的能量的方法，所以植物可以长得更大，可以生产更多食物。首席研究员Stephen Long教授表示，他的研究团队正在对主要作物进行基因改造，比如稻米，小麦，玉米和大豆，这是世界上最主要的作物。
科学家改造的是当阳光太强烈的时候植物用来保护自己免受伤害的机制。为了防止伤害，植物将能量转化为热量，在空气中消失。然而，当云层遮挡了太阳时，这种热消失过程仍在继续。科学家向转基因的植物中加入了额外的热消失基因片段。增加的基因片段加速了热消失的过程，这样植物就能更快地回到利用能量来生长的过程。Long教授相信这样有助于满足全世界的粮食需求。他表示，如果作物产量能够增加20%，这将极大地缓解未来食物供应方面的压力。
