Reading Passage Question
Conodonts, the spiky phosphatic remains (bones and teeth composed of calcium phosphate) of tiny marine animals that probably appeared about 520 million years ago, were once among the most controversial of fossils. Both the nature of the organism to which the remains belonged and the function of the remains were unknown. However, since the 1981 discovery of fossils preserving not just the phosphatic elements but also other remains of the tiny soft-bodied animals (also called conodonts) that bore them, scientists' reconstructions of the animals' anatomy have had important implications for hypotheses concerning the development of the vertebrate skeleton.
The vertebrate skeleton had traditionally been regarded as a defensive development, champions of this view postulating that it was only with the much later evolution of jaws that vertebrates became predators. The first vertebrates, which were soft bodied, would have been easy prey for numerous invertebrate carnivores, especially if these early vertebrates were sedentary suspension feeders. Thus, traditionalists argued, these animals developed coverings of bony scales or plates, and teeth were secondary features, adapted from the protective bony scales. Indeed, external skeletons of this type are common among the well-known fossils of ostracoderm, jawless vertebrates that existed from approximately 500 to 400 million years ago. However, other paleontologists argued that many of the definitive characteristics of vertebrates, such as paired eyes and muscular and skeletal adaptations for active life, would not have evolved unless the first vertebrates were predatory. Teeth were more primitive than external armor according to this view, and the earliest vertebrates were predators.
The stiffening notochord along the back of the body, V-shaped muscle blocks along the sides, and posterior tail fins help to identify conodonts as among the most primitive of vertebrates. The lack of any mineralized structures apart from the elements in the mouth indicates that conodonts were more primitive than the armored jawless fishes such as the ostracoderms. It now appears that the hard parts that first evolved in the mouth of an animal improved its efficiency as a predator, and that aggression rather than protection was the driving force behind the origin of the vertebrate skeleton.
“Conodonts, The Spiky Phosphatic Remains GMAT Reading Comprehension” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions and related answers. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions check the candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Solution and Explanation
- According to the passage, the anatomical evidence provided by the preserved soft bodies of conodonts led scientists to conclude that
- conodonts had actually been invertebrate carnivores
- conodonts' teeth were adapted from protective bony scales
- conodonts were primitive vertebrate suspension feeders
- primitive vertebrates with teeth appeared earlier than armored vertebrates
- scientists' original observations concerning the phosphatic remains of conodonts were essentially correct
Answer: D
Explanation: Traditionalists in the passage argued that animals developed coverings of bony scales or plates. Teeth were secondary features, adapted from the protective bony scales.
- The second paragraph in the passage serves primarily to
- outline the significance of the 1981 discovery of conodont remains to the debate concerning the development of the vertebrate skeleton
- contrast the traditional view of the development of the vertebrate skeleton with a view derived from the 1981 discovery of conodont remains
- contrast the characteristics of the ostracoderms with the characteristics of earlier soft-bodied vertebrates
- explain the importance of the development of teeth among the earliest vertebrate predators
- present the two sides of the debate concerning the development of the vertebrate skeleton
Answer: E
Explanation: Choice (E) does seem similar to Choice (B), but it doesn't make the mistake of naming the wrong sides of this debate. Instead, (E) matches exactly what we know: The author wrote the paragraph in order to present two opposing hypotheses.
- It can be inferred that on the basis of the 1981 discovery of conodont remains, paleontologists could draw which of the following conclusions?
- The earliest vertebrates were sedentary suspension feeders.
- Ostracoderms were not the earliest vertebrates.
- Defensive armor preceded jaws among vertebrates.
- Paired eyes and adaptations for activity are definitive characteristics of vertebrates.
- Conodonts were unlikely to have been predators.
Answer: B
Explanation: Paragraph-3 specifically tells us that conodonts were vertebrates AND were more primitive than ostracoderm. This would imply that Ostracoderms were not the earliest vertebrates, because they were predated by conodonts. B is correct option.
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