Question

snake venom and blood pressure british scientist sir john vane was studying hypertension, or high blood pressure, a serious condition that increases the risk of death from heart disease and other problems. he was intrigued by the venom of the bothrops jararaca pit viper. this snakes bite produces a dramatic drop in blood pressure, causing victims to collapse suddenly. vane reasoned that if scientists could learn how pit viper venom lowers blood pressure, they might be able to create a medicine that uses a similar mechanism. in the 1970s, vane and his colleagues conducted many experiments with the venom to try to isolate the components that affect blood pressure. they discovered that the venom blocks the production of angiotensin, a hormone in the human body that constricts blood vessels and consequently raises blood pressure. as vane had predicted, these findings led to the development of a new group of medications, ace inhibitors. these medicines are now widely used to treat hypertension. what is the main, or central, idea of the passage? pit viper venom blocks the production of a hormone involved in the regulation of blood pressure. venom in the bite of a pit viper causes peoples blood pressures to drop suddenly. medication derived from pit viper venom works to lower high blood pressure.

Explanation:

The passage starts with Vane's study on hypertension and his interest in pit - viper venom. It then details how the venom affects blood - pressure regulation and how this led to the development of ACE inhibitors for treating hypertension. The overall focus is on the development of medication from pit - viper venom to lower high blood pressure.

Answer:

Medication derived from pit viper venom works to lower high blood pressure.