Paragraphs 4-5 contribute to the development of ideas in the text because they explain how the gene drive changes mosquitoes’ DNA, as stated in option B.

<h3>What are paragraphs 4-5 about?</h3>

After reading paragraphs 4-5 of the text "Gene editing wiped out a population of mosquitoes in lab tests," we can tell they contribute the development of ideas by explaining how the gene drive works.

According to the information in paragraphs 4-5, the gene drive is used to change mosquitoes' DNA so that the female mosquito will not bite or procreate. By doing so, scientists would help prevent the spread of malaria, since it is through biting that the female mosquito transmits the disease.

With the information above in mind, we can choose option B as the correct answer.

The missing paragraphs 4-5 are the following:

The researchers changed the mosquitoes’ genes with a gene drive. Gene drives use the molecular “scissors” known as CRISPR/Cas9 to copy and paste themselves into an organism’s DNA at precise locations. They’re designed to break the rules of inheritance. They can quickly spread a genetic tweak to all offspring.

The new gene drive breaks a mosquito gene called doubles∈x. Female mosquitoes that inherit two copies of the broken gene develop like males. They are unable to bite or lay eggs. Being unable to bite means they can’t spread the malaria parasite. Males and females that inherit only one copy of the disrupted gene develop normally and are fertile. Males don’t bite, whether they have the gene drive or not.