MODULE 1 Flashcards
Q: What do paleontologists study?
A: Paleontologists specialize in the study of ancient life through fossils.
Q: What traditional tools do paleontologists use in the field?
A: Hammers, chisels, and brushes for excavation.
Q: What modern tools do paleontologists use for analysis?
A: CT scanners and synchrotrons for detailed imaging and analysis of bone structures.
Q: During which era did dinosaurs live?
A: The Mesozoic Era, which is divided into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.
Q: What are some key questions explored when studying dinosaurs?
A: Were dinosaurs the largest animals? Did all dinosaurs share similar characteristics? How do fossils help us understand their diet and behavior?
Q: What does the word “dinosaur” mean?
A: It comes from the Greek words “deinos” (terrible) and “sauros” (lizard), meaning “terrible lizard.”
Q: What is a common misconception about dinosaurs?
A: Not all large extinct reptiles are dinosaurs (e.g., mammoths and mastodons are not dinosaurs).
Q: What anatomical features define a dinosaur?
A: Dinosaurs have unique features such as large skull openings for air sinuses and hind limbs positioned under the body with specialized ankle and hip structures.
Q: Why are birds considered modern dinosaurs?
A: Birds share many anatomical traits with their dinosaur ancestors.
Q: Who coined the term “Dinosauria” and when?
A: Sir Richard Owen, over 107 years ago.
Q: What fossils were used to first define Dinosauria?
A: Fragmentary fossils from Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus.
Q: What traits did Richard Owen identify as common among early dinosaurs?
A: Teeth with sockets (similar to crocodiles) and an erect limb posture (similar to mammals and birds).
Q: How has the understanding of dinosaurs evolved over time?
A: The definition of dinosaurs has become more refined with ongoing discoveries, improving the list of anatomical features that define Dinosauria.
Q: Why is studying dinosaur bone anatomy important?
A: It helps in identifying different species and understanding their adaptations.
Q: What are some examples of adaptations in dinosaurs?
A: Wings for flight, large eyes for vision, and sharp talons for catching prey.
Q: What do adaptations tell us about dinosaurs?
A: Adaptations are evidence of evolutionary processes that shaped specific functional traits.
Q: How are dinosaurs generally perceived in terms of size?
A: Dinosaurs are known as some of the largest land animals ever to exist.
Q: What are the different ways to measure dinosaur size?
A: Dinosaurs can be measured by weight (heaviest), length (longest from head to tail), and height (tallest from ground to top of the head or body).
Q: What are sauropods known for?
A: Sauropods are known for their massive size and long necks, making them some of the largest land animals ever.
Q: What is significant about the Giraffatitan?
A: Giraffatitan stood about 12 meters tall, had a long neck, and unusually long front legs, contributing to its impressive height. It is closely related to Brachiosaurus.
Q: How long was Diplodocus, and what was unique about its build?
A: Diplodocus had a skeleton measuring approximately 25 meters in length, but it was lightly built compared to other sauropods.
Q: What makes Seismosaurus notable, and why is it hard to measure?
A: Seismosaurus may have been over 40 meters long, but its fragmentary specimen makes exact measurements difficult. Much of its length was in its skinny neck and tail.
Q: Which dinosaur is considered the heaviest sauropod?
A: Argentinosaurus is considered the heaviest sauropod, with an estimated weight of around 100 metric tonnes.
Q: What challenges exist in estimating the weight of Argentinosaurus?
A: Weight estimates are based on comparisons with large modern mammals, but these estimates are approximations due to incomplete fossil evidence.
Q: What issues arise from incomplete skeletons when measuring dinosaur size?
A: Incomplete skeletons make accurate measurement difficult since only bones are preserved, leading to incomplete estimations of body structure and size.
Q: Why is estimating dinosaur weight difficult?
A: Bones are mineralized and heavier than the original tissue, and missing body parts like skin, muscles, and organs complicate weight calculations.
Q: How do air sacs affect dinosaur weight estimations?
A: Dinosaurs, like modern birds, likely had air sacs that reduced their body density, making it difficult to compare their weight with modern mammals.
Q: Were all dinosaurs large?
A: No, many dinosaurs were relatively small.
Q: How small were some of the smallest dinosaurs?
A: Some dinosaurs were smaller than a modern chicken, including both small plant-eaters and small meat-eaters.
Q: How do most dinosaurs compare to modern animals in size?
A: Many dinosaurs were similar in size to large modern land mammals, such as rhinos, hippos, and giraffes.
Q: What do ongoing discoveries reveal about small dinosaurs?
A: Ongoing discoveries provide more information about the diversity and characteristics of small dinosaur species.
