How do modern birds relate to ancient dinosaurs?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the evolutionary relationship between modern birds and ancient dinosaurs, specifically looking for the correct explanation among the provided options.
Answer
Modern birds are descendants of theropod dinosaurs.
Modern birds are the direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs, a group that includes species like the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Answer for screen readers
Modern birds are the direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs, a group that includes species like the Tyrannosaurus rex.
More Information
Birds evolved from small, feathered theropod dinosaurs over millions of years. This evolutionary transition included the development of feathers, avian lung structures, and beaks, which are crucial for flight and survival as modern birds.
Tips
It's a common mistake to think all dinosaurs were like T. rex. Theropods were diverse, and some were quite small and adapted to flight, leading to birds.
Sources
- Today's birds are dinosaurs, scientists say - BirdLife International - birdlife.org
- How Dinosaurs Shrank and Became Birds - Scientific American - scientificamerican.com
- How Dinosaurs Evolved Into Birds - Natural History Museum - nhm.ac.uk
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