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
2024-09-15
13
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, that birds probably started flying millions of years earlier than scientists previously thought. It is just that 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] The reason why there still needs improvement in the past view of Archaeopteryx is that______.
选项
A、fossils of those earliest birds haven’t been discovered yet
B、the wishbone they studied is just so-called wishbone
C、there was no study of the role of its brain and some faculties in flight
D、Archaeopteryx is regarded as the earliest known bird
答案
C
解析
根据文章第7段可知过去并没有对始祖鸟的脑及其他一些感觉功能进行研究,所以,在这些方面还有待进一步的提高。因此,C为正确选项。
转载请注明原文地址:https://tihaiku.com/zcyy/3759319.html
相关试题推荐
Thescientistshaveabsolutefreedomastowhatresearchtheythinkitbestto__
Scientistshopethesuccessfulworkdoneincollaborationwithotherresearchers
30yearsago,scientists_____withthetheorythatprotonsandneutronsarecom
TheprojectledbyNorikoAraiaimsat[originaltext]ScientistsinJapanare
Peoplehavebeenpaintingpicturesforatleast30,000years.Theearliestp
Inordertostrengthenhisarguments,George_____respectablesocialscientists
(l)Theearliestcontroversiesabouttherelationshipbetweenphotographyand
(l)Theearliestcontroversiesabouttherelationshipbetweenphotographyand
(l)Theearliestcontroversiesabouttherelationshipbetweenphotographyand
Scientistshavebeencalculatingthelikelihoodofasmallplanetto_______wit
随机试题
ParadiseLostisthemasterpieceby______.A、JohnDonneB、JohnMiltonC、GeorgeHe
Howwasthedistancelearningcoursedifferentfromtraditionalcourse?[br][o
在实习期内驾驶机动车的,应当在车身后部粘贴或者悬挂哪种标志?()A.注意避让标
被称为“最后一个教父和第一个经院哲学家”的人是()。A.阿伯拉尔 B.安瑟伦
杆件受力情况如图所示。若用Nmax和Nmin,分别表示杆内的最大轴力和最小轴力,
下列各项属于地籍调查表上填写的宗地内容的有()。A.土地权属性质 B.双
证券公司内部控制是指证券公司为实现经营目标,根据经营环境变化,对证券公司经营与管
具有止痛作用的生物碱是A.吗啡 B.秋水仙碱 C.苦参碱 D.麻黄碱 E
军团菌肺炎的首选治疗药物是 A.青霉素GB.红霉素 C.氨基糖苷类
下列说法中,符合银行贷款发放的计划、比例原则的是( )。A.按照项目完成工程量
最新回复
(
0
)