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PALEO 200 > MODULE 1 > Flashcards

MODULE 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Q: What do paleontologists study?

A

A: Paleontologists specialize in the study of ancient life through fossils.

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2
Q

Q: What traditional tools do paleontologists use in the field?

A

A: Hammers, chisels, and brushes for excavation.

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3
Q

Q: What modern tools do paleontologists use for analysis?

A

A: CT scanners and synchrotrons for detailed imaging and analysis of bone structures.

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4
Q

Q: During which era did dinosaurs live?

A

A: The Mesozoic Era, which is divided into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.

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5
Q

Q: What are some key questions explored when studying dinosaurs?

A

A: Were dinosaurs the largest animals? Did all dinosaurs share similar characteristics? How do fossils help us understand their diet and behavior?

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6
Q

Q: What does the word “dinosaur” mean?

A

A: It comes from the Greek words “deinos” (terrible) and “sauros” (lizard), meaning “terrible lizard.”

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7
Q

Q: What is a common misconception about dinosaurs?

A

A: Not all large extinct reptiles are dinosaurs (e.g., mammoths and mastodons are not dinosaurs).

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8
Q

Q: What anatomical features define a dinosaur?

A

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.

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9
Q

Q: Why are birds considered modern dinosaurs?

A

A: Birds share many anatomical traits with their dinosaur ancestors.

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10
Q

Q: Who coined the term “Dinosauria” and when?

A

A: Sir Richard Owen, over 107 years ago.

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11
Q

Q: What fossils were used to first define Dinosauria?

A

A: Fragmentary fossils from Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus.

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12
Q

Q: What traits did Richard Owen identify as common among early dinosaurs?

A

A: Teeth with sockets (similar to crocodiles) and an erect limb posture (similar to mammals and birds).

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13
Q

Q: How has the understanding of dinosaurs evolved over time?

A

A: The definition of dinosaurs has become more refined with ongoing discoveries, improving the list of anatomical features that define Dinosauria.

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14
Q

Q: Why is studying dinosaur bone anatomy important?

A

A: It helps in identifying different species and understanding their adaptations.

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15
Q

Q: What are some examples of adaptations in dinosaurs?

A

A: Wings for flight, large eyes for vision, and sharp talons for catching prey.

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16
Q

Q: What do adaptations tell us about dinosaurs?

A

A: Adaptations are evidence of evolutionary processes that shaped specific functional traits.

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17
Q

Q: How are dinosaurs generally perceived in terms of size?

A

A: Dinosaurs are known as some of the largest land animals ever to exist.

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18
Q

Q: What are the different ways to measure dinosaur size?

A

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).

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19
Q

Q: What are sauropods known for?

A

A: Sauropods are known for their massive size and long necks, making them some of the largest land animals ever.

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20
Q

Q: What is significant about the Giraffatitan?

A

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.

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21
Q

Q: How long was Diplodocus, and what was unique about its build?

A

A: Diplodocus had a skeleton measuring approximately 25 meters in length, but it was lightly built compared to other sauropods.

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22
Q

Q: What makes Seismosaurus notable, and why is it hard to measure?

A

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.

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23
Q

Q: Which dinosaur is considered the heaviest sauropod?

A

A: Argentinosaurus is considered the heaviest sauropod, with an estimated weight of around 100 metric tonnes.

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24
Q

Q: What challenges exist in estimating the weight of Argentinosaurus?

A

A: Weight estimates are based on comparisons with large modern mammals, but these estimates are approximations due to incomplete fossil evidence.

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25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Q: Were all dinosaurs large?
A: No, many dinosaurs were relatively small.
29
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.
30
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.
31
Q: What do ongoing discoveries reveal about small dinosaurs?
A: Ongoing discoveries provide more information about the diversity and characteristics of small dinosaur species.
32
Q: How are human and dinosaur skeletons similar?
A: Both humans and dinosaurs are vertebrates with similar skeletal structures, though evolutionary adaptations led to different uses of bones.
32
Q: How do scientists learn about dinosaur size?
A: By studying fossilized skeletons, which provide information on their size and structure.
33
Q: What are vertebrates?
A: Vertebrates are animals with a backbone made up of individual bones called vertebrae.
34
Q: What are examples of vertebrate animals?
A: Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
35
Q: What are invertebrates?
A: Invertebrates are animals without a backbone, such as jellyfish and octopuses, which might have exoskeletons or no skeleton at all.
36
Q: How does the evolutionary tree represent evolution?
A: The trunk represents primitive ancestors, while the branches represent more derived species like dinosaurs.
37
Q: How long has the vertebrate skeleton been evolving?
A: Over 300 million years, with adaptations for flying, swimming, and running.
38
Q: What are the main openings in a dinosaur’s skull?
A: The skull contains orbits (eye sockets), nares (nostrils), and fenestrae (additional skull openings).
39
Q: What are the different types of fenestrae found in dinosaur skulls?
A: Dinosaurs like T. rex had supratemporal, laterotemporal, and antorbital fenestrae.
40
Q: What is the function of the braincase in a dinosaur’s skull?
A: It houses the brain and includes openings for nerves that connect to the spinal cord.
41
Q: What are the different types of vertebrae in a dinosaur’s spine?
A: Cervical (neck), dorsal (back), sacral (pelvic region), and caudal (tail) vertebrae.
42
Q: What are gastralia, and how do they differ from ribs?
A: Gastralia are belly ribs found in some dinosaurs, unlike the ribs that protect internal organs and are not found in mammals.
43
Q: What is the function of the shoulder and pelvic girdles?
A: The shoulder girdle contains the scapula, which holds the shoulder socket, and the pelvic girdle contains the acetabulum, where the thigh bone attaches.
44
Q: How were dinosaur limbs adapted for specific functions?
A: Limb shapes varied for walking, running, swimming, or flying. For example, T. rex had large claws, while humans have fingernails.
45
Q: How are the arm bones of humans and dinosaurs similar?
A: Both humans and dinosaurs have humerus, radius, ulna, and metacarpals, though dinosaurs like T. rex had fewer fingers and large claws.
46
Q: How do dinosaur foot structures differ from human feet?
A: Dinosaurs often walked on their toes, with elevated soles, and some had lost outer toes, while humans have a more upright posture and flat feet.
47
Q: Why do vertebrate skeletons share similar structures?
: Due to common ancestry, vertebrates share basic skeletal structures that have evolved for different functions and lifestyles.
48
Q: How can studying bone shapes and proportions help paleontologists?
A: It helps identify dinosaur species and understand their adaptations and ecological roles.
49
Q: How do dinosaur skeletons help in classifying them?
A: Dinosaur skeletons vary widely in shape and size, and their skeletal features are key in classifying them into smaller groups to identify individual species.
50
Q: What are the two major groups of dinosaurs based on pelvis shape?
A: Dinosaurs are divided into Saurischia (lizard-hipped dinosaurs) and Ornithischia (bird-hipped dinosaurs).
51
Q: Did birds evolve from bird-hipped or lizard-hipped dinosaurs?
A: Birds evolved from Saurischian (lizard-hipped) dinosaurs, not from Ornithischian dinosaurs.
52
Q: What are the three pairs of bones that make up the pelvis in all dinosaurs?
A: The three pelvic bones are the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
53
Q: How is the Saurischian pelvis structured in species like Daspletosaurus?
A: Ilium: Supports weight and provides muscle attachment for leg movement. Ischium: Extends downward and backward for muscle attachment. Pubis: Points downward and forward, with a large "boot" for muscle attachment and weight support.
54
Q: How does the pelvis of Ornithischians differ from that of Saurischians?
A: In Ornithischians, the pubis is reoriented backward, running parallel to the ischium, which reflects different muscle arrangements and locomotion.
55
Q: What are the two major groups of Saurischian dinosaurs?
A: The two major groups are Sauropods and Theropods
56
Q: What are the key characteristics of Sauropods?
A: Largest land animals, with long necks and tails. Walked on all fours (quadrupedal). Thick, column-like legs and air sacs in vertebrae to reduce weight. Small skulls and peg-like teeth for an herbivorous diet.
57
Q: What are the main features of Theropods?
A: They were a diverse group, including large carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Walked on two legs (bipedal). Most had sharp teeth and three clawed fingers, though some lost their teeth and developed beaks. Variations in physical traits, such as snout length and the presence of horns.
58
Q: How do Tyrannosaurus rex and Sciurumimus differ in their number of fingers?
A: Tyrannosaurus rex: Evolved to have only two fingers. Sciurumimus: Had three developed claws.
59
Q: What are Prosauropods, and how do they differ from Sauropods?
A: Prosauropods were smaller, early herbivorous dinosaurs with long necks and small heads. Some could stand or walk on two legs. They were later replaced by more advanced herbivorous dinosaurs.
60
Q: How are Theropods related to modern birds?
A: Theropods, including Tyrannosaurus rex, are the closest relatives of modern birds. Both groups share features like feathers, bipedalism, and hollow bones.
61
Q: What characteristics do birds and Theropods share?
A: Feathers: Both have feathers. Bipedalism: Both walk on two legs. Hollow bones: Both have hollow bones with air sacs.
62
Q: What is one of the key characteristics that distinguishes Ornithischians from Saurischians?
A: Ornithischians have a backward-pointing pubic bone and a unique predentary bone in the jaw.
63
Q: Why do Ornithischians have a backward-pointing pubic bone?
A: The backward-pointing pubic bone provides space for a larger digestive tract, necessary for processing plant material.
64
Q: What is the function of the predentary bone in Ornithischians?
A: The predentary bone helps form a beak used for cropping and slicing plant stems, aiding in herbivory.
65
Q: How does the pelvic structure of Ornithischians compare to that of birds?
A: While both have a backward-pointing pubis, this is a case of evolutionary convergence; birds evolved from Saurischian dinosaurs, not Ornithischians.
66
Q: What are the primary locomotion and diet of Ornithopods?
A: Ornithopods were bipedal herbivores, though larger species like Hadrosaurs may have walked on all fours later in life.
67
Q: What unique hand structure did Hadrosaurs possess?
A: Hadrosaurs had a mitten-like hand, while Iguanodons retained a more defined spiky thumb.
68
Q: What are examples of Ornithopods?
A: Edmontosaurus and Iguanodon are examples of Ornithopods.
69
Q: What are the main physical features of Ceratopsians?
A: Ceratopsians are known for their frills and horns, which were likely used for species recognition and defense.
70
Q: How do the teeth of Ceratopsians function?
A: Their teeth were arranged in banks, specialized for shearing and crushing tough plant material.
71
Q: How does Pachyrhinosaurus differ from other Ceratopsians?
A: Instead of traditional horns, Pachyrhinosaurus had large nasal and superorbital bosses (bony masses), but it is still classified as a Ceratopsian due to its frill and beak structure.
72
3. Pachycephalosaurs (Dome-Headed Dinosaurs)
A: They had thick, dome-shaped skulls made of solid bone, likely used for species recognition or head-butting contests.
73
Q: What is notable about Pachycephalosaur skeletons?
A: Their skeletons were relatively primitive and fragile, making complete fossil specimens rare.
74
Q: What is the most famous feature of Stegosaurus?
A: Stegosaurus is known for its large, plate-like osteoderms along its back and the "thagomizer" (tail spikes) used for defense.
75
Q: How does Stegosaurus' body structure affect its posture?
A: Stegosaurus walked on all fours, with its front legs shorter than the hind legs, resulting in a sloped posture.
76
Q: What sets Ankylosaurs apart from other dinosaurs like Stegosaurus?
A: Ankylosaurs were completely covered in osteoderms, giving them heavily armored bodies, unlike the row of plates seen in Stegosaurus.
77
Q: What was the function of the tail club in some Ankylosaurs?
A: The tail club was likely used as a defensive weapon, swinging at predators with its large, osteoderm-tipped end.
78
Q: How are dinosaurs generally divided based on their classification?
A: Dinosaurs are divided into two main branches: Saurischians and Ornithischians, with Ornithischians further split into five groups: Ornithopods, Ceratopsians, Pachycephalosaurs, Stegosaurus, and Ankylosaurs.

PALEO 200 (143 decks)

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