Traditionally, Zoologists Have Placed Birds in Their Own Class, Aves

question 40

Multiple Choice

Traditionally, zoologists have placed birds in their own class, Aves. More recently, molecular evidence has shown that birds are more closely related to reptiles than their anatomy reveals. Genetically, birds are more closely related to crocodiles than crocodiles are to turtles. Thus, bird anatomy has become highly modified as they have adapted to flight, without their genes having undergone nearly as much change.
-Traditional zoologists have long agreed that birds evolved from dinosaurs. What keeps such zoologists from agreeing that birds, like dinosaurs, should be considered reptiles?

• A) There is not yet enough evidence to be sure.
• B) Stubbornness, insofar as they are unwilling to change their thinking when new data warrants it.
• C) They deny the validity of genetic molecular data.
• D) They differ in what they consider to be important traits for assigning organisms to the class Reptilia.

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Definitions:

Flexible Budget

A budget designed to change in response to variations in volume or activity levels.

Food

A substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support, primarily obtained through plants, animals, or fermentation.

Supplies

Items used in the operation of a business or manufacturing process, which are not directly associated with the products being made.

Net Operating Income

The financial metric that calculates a company's profitability from its normal business operations, deducting operating expenses from the revenue.