首页
登录
职称英语
Scientists have determined that Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, was
Scientists have determined that Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, was
游客
2023-11-07
48
管理
问题
Scientists have determined that Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, was definitely birdbrained, meaning no disrespect. Indeed, they consider the fossil’s brain size decisive evidence that Archaeopteryx had what it took to fly.
The new research suggests, moreover, mat birds probably started flying millions of years earlier than scientists previously thought. It is just mat fossils of those first flying birds—predecessors of Archaeopteryx—have never been found.
The researchers, at the Natural History Museum in London, based their findings on the first X-ray examination and reconstruction of the braincase and inner ear of a 147-million-year-old Archaeopteryx specimen.
They found that in size, shape and volume, its brain was similar to that of the modern eagle or sparrow.
Measurements of the semicircular canals, the mechanism for balance inside the ear, showed that Archaeopteryx had the "neurological and structural adaptations necessary for flight," the scientists concluded.
Their research, involving an X-ray computed tomography scan, or C.T., of the fossil’s braincase and inner ear, is described today in the journal Nature.
Previous studies of the feathered wing and tail of Archaeopteryx and its birdlike anatomy, including a pronounced wishbone, supported the prevailing view of experts that it was capable of some degree of powered flight. Archaeopteryx is considered a prime transitional species in the evolution of some reptiles, probably dinosaurs, into today’s birds.
But the research team, led by Dr. Angela Milner, a paleontologist at the British museum, wrote that until their investigation of Archaeopteryx, "little was understood about the extent to which its brain and special senses were adapted for flight."
Dr. Milner said the new study not only established that Archaeopteryx was capable of "controlling the complex business of flying," but also showed "how much there is still to discover about when and how bird flight began."
In a statement issued by the museum, Dr. Milner said, "If flight was this advanced by the time Archaeopteryx was around, then were birds actually flying millions of years earlier than we’d previously thought?" [br] What is the original meaning of "birdbrained" and what does it mean here in the first paragraph?
选项
A、Naive; intelligent.
B、Simple-minded; volant.
C、Narrow-minded; navigational.
D、Stupid; adapted for flight.
答案
D
解析
birdbrained原指“愚蠢的”意思,但在本文中却是指具有适应飞行的能力。第1段最后一句表明始祖鸟拥有使其飞翔的东西,结合第4段“科学家总结,耳内控制平衡的半规管的测量显示始祖鸟拥有为了飞翔所必需的神经的和结构的相应改造”,我们可以得知,D为正确答案。
转载请注明原文地址:http://tihaiku.com/zcyy/3165319.html
相关试题推荐
Hewasdeterminedtosailaroundtheworld______hisillnessandoldage.A、give
Scientistsfirst______theideaofatomicbombinthe1930’s.A、deceivedB、conce
Scientistshavebeencalculatingthelikelihoodofasmallplanetto______with
______scientistssaytheearthwillheatuplikeapotofflowersinagreenhou
Playisthe【C1】______businessofchildhood.Fromearliestinfancy,everychi
Playisthe【C1】______businessofchildhood.Fromearliestinfancy,everychi
Playisthe【C1】______businessofchildhood.Fromearliestinfancy,everychi
Playisthe【C1】______businessofchildhood.Fromearliestinfancy,everychi
Playisthe【C1】______businessofchildhood.Fromearliestinfancy,everychi
Playisthe【C1】______businessofchildhood.Fromearliestinfancy,everychi
随机试题
AfterthePresident’sSonsWereImprisonedIndividuals
Psychologist:Inastudy,researchersgave100volunteersapsychologicalquesti
TheCommercialisationofScienceandTechnologyScienceandtec
Healthyadultstakeapproximately10-14breathsperminute,butsomepeople
[originaltext][19]We’vetalkedrecentlyabouttheimportanceofsustaina
[audioFiles]audio_eufm_j47_001(20082)[/audioFiles]A、ThewrongaddressofPaul’s
全麻药蛋白质作用假说中,下述哪项是错误的()A.全麻药与蛋白质氨基酸残基结合
工作流程图是一个重要的组织工具,常用菱形框表示( )。A.工作 B.判别条件
甲公司采用自营方式扩建厂房借入专门借款,在资本化期间,外币借款本金及利息的汇兑差
企业同时生产甲、乙、丙三种产品,销售单价分别为30元、50元、80元,预计销售量
最新回复
(
0
)