GEOL 203 Quiz 1 Answer Key

17pts total

1. Please provide a contrast between the two terms: hypothesis and theory (from a scientific
perspective). Make sure that you provide an actual difference between the terms (3pts).

Contrasts could include: (1) the idea that theory has been tested many times and hypothesis
has not, (2) the idea that theory is generally accepted and hypothesis is not, (3) other
possibilities???

Note that BOTH hypothesis and theory:

- must be testable
- must be falsifiable
- must be based on factual info
- must be used to make predictions
- can never be proved

2. Examine the images provided BELOW. Which images represent dinosaurs? Check ALL that
apply (3pts). B is the only dinosaur. We gave full credit for B, then subtracted partial credit
for other letters selected in addition to B.

3. Examine the image provided to the right

(4pts).

(A) Could this be a dinosaur (circle one)?

Yes
(B) What other information would you need to figure out if this is actually a dinosaur (3-
- the concept of marine versus terrestrial
- the concept of digitigrade (or walking on toes) versus plantigrade (or walking on flat feet)
- the concept of upright versus sprawling posture

4. Describe two positive scientific contributions of the Bone Wars, Be detailed and specific (3-4
bullets)(4pts).

Contributions could include:

- Idea that they produced more complete (or whole) skeletons than previously discovered
- Idea that they discovered many (over 100) new species of dinosaurs
- Idea that their discoveries helped us understand that dinosaurs are more upright (or
agile) than previously recognized
- Other possibilities that are accurate and detailed

5. Check ALL of the statements below that are TRUE (3pts)

The only true statement is “Traits have to be heritable.” We gave full credit for this
statement, then subtracted partial credit for other statements selected in addition to this
one. We did NOT subtract partial credit for “The phrase “survival of the fittest” because
different people interpreted it differently.

 Natural selection is a random process (it’s definitely not random)

X Traits have to be heritable for natural selection to occur
 The pattern of evolution is a theory (the pattern of evolution is a fact, the process of
evolution (i.e., how it works) is a theory)
 The phrase “survival of the fittest” is inaccurate because natural selection is not just about
fitness (it’s inaccurate because it doesn’t include the concept of reproduction)
 Adaptation and fitness are two evolutionary processes (neither are considered
evolutionary processes, which include mutation, selection, gene flow, genetic drift,
non-random mating)
 One of Darwin’s major contribution was the discovery of evolution (evolution was
discovered long before Darwin. Darwin provided substantial evidence for evolution
and proposed a potential process (natural selection) for it)