Scientific Views Are Based on Evidence Rather Than an Appeal

question 72

Multiple Choice

Scientific views are based on evidence rather than an appeal to authority. Which of the following statements demonstrates a conclusion based on evidence?

• A) We conclude that lungs evolved before swim bladders because a study of branching patterns shows that some of the oldest lineages of Osteichthyes have lungs.
• B) We conclude that lungs evolved before swim bladders because Darwin wrote that swim bladders evolved before lungs in The Origin of Species.
• C) We conclude that lungs evolved before swim bladders because the oldest osteichthyan fossils show lungs arising before swim bladders.
• D) We conclude that lungs evolved before swim bladders because Hox genes direct the evolution of swim bladders but not of lungs.

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Definitions:

Insurance

A financial product sold by insurance companies to safeguard against financial loss in the event of specific contingencies or risks.

Risk Lover

An individual or entity that prefers or is willing to undertake actions with a higher level of uncertainty or risk.

Expected Value

The weighted average of all possible values that a random variable can take on, with weights being the probabilities of each outcome.

Expected Value

The forecasted value of a variable, determined by adding together all potential values, each weighted by its likelihood of happening.