Question

the main, or central, idea of the passage is researchers discovered that a strange illness was caused by bacteria in the bite of the black - legged tick. how does the detail in bold develop the main idea? in the mid - 1970s, doctors were baffled when residents of lyme, connecticut, and neighboring towns developed a set of strange symptoms, including leg pain, swollen joints, and rashes. suspecting a reason beyond mere coincidence, a yale university research team systematically reviewed the cases. they discovered that all the victims had lived in wooded areas and that disease outbreaks had peaked in the summer and early fall, suggesting a connection to an insect. in addition, the number of cases occurring east of the connecticut river outnumbered those occurring on the west side. this information led to the hypothesis that the mysterious condition was related to deer ticks, since deer and the black - legged ticks they carry were more prevalent on the east side of the river. later research proved this hypothesis correct. the black - legged tick was found to carry bacteria that, when transmitted to humans through bites, cause the condition now known as lyme disease. it highlights the significance of a key piece of information about deer ticks. it describes a false step in the researchers efforts to find the cause of the disease. it hints at the researchers eventual approach to treating lyme disease.

Explanation:

The bold - faced detail about the prevalence of deer and black - legged ticks on the east side of the river was crucial in forming the hypothesis that led to the discovery of the cause of Lyme Disease. It was a key piece of information in the research process.

Answer:

It highlights the significance of a key piece of information about deer ticks.