TPO 31# 1

The reading passage provides three reasons to support the claim that the lines pattern which was found in the fossil skeleton of Sinosauropteryx was not an evidence that this dinosaur has feathers. However, the professor believes that this idea is very strong and all the arguments made by the critics are unconvincing.

To begin with, the article contends that these lines may be formed due to the decomposition of the skin of the animal after its death. On the other hand, the professor points out that it is unlikely formed due to the decomposition of the skin since other animals found in the same place did not show any decomposition of their structure. He explains that most of the animals structures are well preserved. Thus, these lines were likely preserved too and they are likely represent feathers not fibers.

Secondly, the author implies that scientists cannot figure out which specific part can be represented by these lines and they think that most probably they are frills not feathers. The lecturer, in contrast, states that there is a big difference between frills and feathers. He mentions that feathers contain an important protein called Beta carotene while frills are free from this protein. Also, he says that the chemical analysis of this fossil suggests that it contains Beta-carotene. This confirms that the lines were feathers not frills.

Finally, the reading posits that the main functions of feathers are for flying or regulating temperature, which indicates that the presence of the feathers in dinosaurs is functionless. The professor opposes this point by explaining that feathers have other functions rather than flying or temperature regulation. He explains that some birds like peacock that has long and colorful feathers, uses them to attract male and feathers may act a displaying function in other birds. He states that the fossil structure shows that the feathers are colorful with white and orange colors. Therefore, this suggests that dinosaurs were using them for displaying.