Question

1. Which of the following statements is attributable to Georges Cuvier?

Select one:

a. If an organ is used it strengthens and grows; if it isn’t used it weakens and shrinks

b. Slow subtle processes, acting over long periods of time, can have a dramatic effect

c. Fossils in older sedimentary rock strata bear less resemblance to modern organisms than those from recent strata

d. Geological processes operating today are the same as those that have operated in the past

2. In science, a theory is an idea that

Select one:

a. is a speculation supported by a rational argument.

b. has been extensively tested and supported by experiments and observations.

c. is also known as a hypothesis.

d. is consistent with general observations but hasn't been directly tested.

Answer 1

1. Option C. Georges Cuvier was a French naturalist, known as founding father of paleontology. He had contributed in evolution based on paleontological studies. He observed fossils of organisms from different strata, both old and new. Then he compared the features of fossils from both the strata and concluded that, fossils of animals from deep and old strata are less similar to those animals living today, than those seen in a more recent strata. His studies on evolution was based on fossil features.

Other options are incorrect. The first is related to Lamarckism. Cuvier's explanations were based on paleontological studies.

2. Option B. Becuase science supports anything only by experimental proof. In science a theory is an idea, which has to be proved by repetative experiments. Based on the idea, a hypothesis has to be made, which will be then proved by an experiment. If the observations of the experiment supports the hypothesis, the theory can be accepted.

Other options are not correct. A theory is never supported by a rational argument only, but has to be tested and proved. Also theory is not simply a hypothesis. A hypothesis is just an assumption , which has to be tested and proved further. Anything not being tested experimentally is not considered as a theory in science.