NEETZoologyEvolution
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The Cenozoic era is considered the 'Age of Mammals' as they flourished and dominated the earth during this time. Reason (R): Mammals originated in the Cenozoic era immediately following the mass extinction of dinosaurs. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the option
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is false but (R) is true.
- D(A) is true but (R) is false.
Correct answer
D. (A) is true but (R) is false.
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is true. Following the extinction of dinosaurs at the end of the Mesozoic era, mammals underwent adaptive radiation and became the dominant land animals during the Cenozoic era, which is why it is called the 'Age of Mammals'. Reason (R) is false. Mammals did not originate in the Cenozoic era. They first appeared earlier, during the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era, and coexisted with dinosaurs for millions of years before eventually dominating in the Cenozoic. Therefore, (A) is true but (R) is fals