Animation Description
The animation that accompanies this multiple choice question shows images of eight animals, shark, tuna, frog, human, hare, caiman, parrot, and T. rex connected by a branching evolutionary tree beneath them. An arrow shows that time progresses in the upwards direction on the tree. On the tree proceeding upwards, a horizontal line on the root marked "vertebrae" indicates that vertebrae evolved in the common ancestor of all the animals on the tree. Then the branch leading to the shark splits off to the left. On the other branch (which leads to the remaining animals), "bony skeleton" evolved. Then the branch leading to the tuna splits off to the left. On the other branch (which leads to the remaining animals), "four limbs" evolved. Then the branch leading to the frog splits off to the left. On the other branch (which leads to the remaining animals), "amniotic egg" evolved. Then a branch splits off to the left that itself splits into two, leading to the human and hare. At the base of this branch, "hair" evolved. The branch that extends up and to the right leads to the caiman, parrot, and T. rex branches. At the base of this branch, "opening in front of eye" evolved, and then the caiman branch splits off to the left. At the base of the caiman branch, "knob on heel" evolved. On the other branch (which leads to the parrot and T. rex), "two fingers lost" and "bipedal" evolved. When the fourth multiple choice response "d) all of the above" is clicked, a success message appears. When any other option is clicked, the user is instructed to "Try again."
Animation Text
Because T. rex was bipedal and had a reduced number of fingers, we can infer:
a) that T. rex was more closely related to birds than to crocodiles
b) that T. rex and birds inherited these features from a common ancestor
c) that T. rex probably shares more features with birds than with other vertebrates
d) all of the above
e) none of the above
Answers:
a) that T. rex was more closely related to birds than to crocodiles: Close! We can infer this, but it isn't the only inference on the list that we could make.
b) that T. rex and birds inherited these features from a common ancestor: Close! We can infer this, but it isn't the only inference on the list that we could make.
c) that T. rex probably shares more features with birds than with other vertebrates: Close! We can infer this, but it isn't the only inference on the list that we could make.
d) all of the above: Good job! Our final folder contains a Special Assignment — Solving T. rex's Identity Crisis. By completing the assignment, you and your colleagues will apply what you have learned to answer some more questions about T. rex. If you are ready, let's go!
e) none of the above: Oops! We can make some inferences based on the features we studied.