bschool83 wrote:
Since at least 1868, paleontologists have been arguing over whether or not birds evolved from dinosaurs. In the late 1960s, a scientist from Yale University named John Ostrom declared there were 22 features in the skeletons of meat-eating dinosaurs that were also seen in birds but not in any other animals. By the year 2000, 85 such characteristics unique to dinosaurs and birds had been discovered. Some very vocal critics continue to oppose the theory, but this skeletal evidence strongly supports the idea that dinosaurs are the direct ancestors of modern birds.
Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion of the argument to be more properly drawn?
It is impossible to tell for certain by examining the fossil record whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded like birds or cold-blooded like reptiles.
Therapod dinosaurs evolved feathers in place of scales because feathers conferred greater protection against the cold.
The existence of so many uniquely linked characteristics cannot be explained by convergent evolution, the development of similarities in separate lineages through the operation of similar selective factors on both lines.
Several of the supporters of the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs are paleontologists who are highly regarded in their field.
The earliest "feathered dinosaur" fossil found has been dated at 129 million years old, while the earliest "true bird" fossil has been dated at 150 million years old.
Premises :
1868 : wht din. anc. birds
1960 : J.O. dec 22 Ft. din & brd comm not in any ot animal
2008 : 85 ft.
Conc.
Critics ops but sklt evd supp idea of anc.
Question is asking new premise or assumption which can add for better conclusion:
1. It is impossible to tell for certain by examining the fossil record whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded like birds or cold-blooded like reptiles -
This is explaining if we want to infer something about dinosaurs but here we are concentrating on birds.2.Therapod dinosaurs evolved feathers in place of scales because feathers conferred greater protection against the cold. -
We are not talking about specific "Therapod dinosaurs", considering characterstics from dinosaurs family.3.The existence of so many uniquely linked characteristics cannot be explained by convergent evolution, the development of similarities in separate lineages through the operation of similar selective factors on both lines. -
so here mentioned that C.E. is not able to explain unique characterstics, right because if it can, then there won't be any critics.4.Several of the supporters of the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs are paleontologists who are highly regarded in their field. -
We don't doubt on palentologist's ability.5.The earliest "feathered dinosaur" fossil found has been dated at 129 million years old, while the earliest "true bird" fossil has been dated at 150 million years old. -
Again talking about one type of dinosaur. "feathered dinosaur", you started about 129 million but other dinosaur can start much before 150 million so you should keep quiet