Wrinkles
Skin wrinkles are caused by a variety of factors. Some of these factors are intrinsic, meaning that you cannot control them because they occur naturally. Others are extrinsic, meaning that they are caused by circumstances outside of the body.
One intrinsic factor is aging. As you age, your skin loses collagen, which is the protein responsible for keeping your skin elastic. With less collagen, your skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Aging also reduces the functioning of sweat and oil glands, which work to keep the skin looking smooth. You also lose fat in the deeper layers of your skin as you age. This fat loss causes your skin to sag and develop deeper wrinkles.
The two most common extrinsic factors are exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) and smoking. UV rays in sunlight break down your skin's connective tissue and collagen fibers. To prevent the appearance of wrinkles (as well as protect yourself from skin cancer), you should always use UV-blocking sunscreen. The nicotine in cigarettes is the most likely link between smoking and wrinkles. Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, reducing the blood supply to your skin tissue. This deprives your skin of oxygen and important nutrients, causing damage that contributes to wrinkles.
Question: What is the best meaning of the word 'deprives' at the end of paragraph 3?

Question

Wrinkles
Skin wrinkles are caused by a variety of factors. Some of these factors are intrinsic, meaning that you cannot control them because they occur naturally. Others are extrinsic, meaning that they are caused by circumstances outside of the body.
One intrinsic factor is aging. As you age, your skin loses collagen, which is the protein responsible for keeping your skin elastic. With less collagen, your skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Aging also reduces the functioning of sweat and oil glands, which work to keep the skin looking smooth. You also lose fat in the deeper layers of your skin as you age. This fat loss causes your skin to sag and develop deeper wrinkles.
The two most common extrinsic factors are exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) and smoking. UV rays in sunlight break down your skin's connective tissue and collagen fibers. To prevent the appearance of wrinkles (as well as protect yourself from skin cancer), you should always use UV-blocking sunscreen. The nicotine in cigarettes is the most likely link between smoking and wrinkles. Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, reducing the blood supply to your skin tissue. This deprives your skin of oxygen and important nutrients, causing damage that contributes to wrinkles.
Question: What is the best meaning of the word 'deprives' at the end of paragraph 3?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best meaning of the word 'deprives' would be to deny or refuse something. When substituting 'deprives' with 'denies' in the sentence "This deprives your skin of oxygen" has a similar meaning. Therefore, it is correct.
The best meaning of the word 'deprives' would be to refuse something. In this case, the reduction of blood supply to skin tissue refuses the skin with oxygen and nutrients. In this case, 'limits' would not convey the correct meaning, and is incorrect.
'Steals' conveys a different meaning. It is not the case that the oxygen is stolen from the skin, and 'steals' is incorrect.
'Provides' is the opposite of 'deprives' and would completely change the meaning in the sentence. Therefore, it is incorrect.

Wrinkles Skin Wrinkles Are Caused by a Variety of Factors. Some