GEOL 107 Lecture 21: geol107-lecture21 with diagrams_2017
29 Oct 2017
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Dinosaur paleobiology - controversies on a giant scale. Prior to mid-70s dinosaurs were largely regarded as cold-blooded ( overgrown lizards ) In dinosaur renaissance (scientific american, 1975) bob bakker argued that dinosaurs were warm blooded and presented several lines of evidence to back up his claim. Opening salvo in a debate that continues to rage even today, one of the great controversies in paleobiology. This lecture will review some of the main arguments and pieces of evidence on both sides. Purpose is to illustrate the nature of a scientific controversy, and perhaps something of the physiology of giant animals in general and dinosaurs in specific. First we have to define a few terms Homeotherms are able to maintain a constant body temperature. Heterotherms allow their body temperature to vary widely depending on external factors. Ectotherms (e. g. invertebrates, fish, amphibians, modern reptiles) receive their body heat from an external source.
