| principle |
A basic idea or rule that explains or controls how something happens or works |
定律 |
Cope’s Rule is a principle of evolutionary biology. |
| proposed |
Suggested for consideration or action |
提出 (tíchū) |
Edward Cope proposed a principle based on his examinations. |
| examination |
The act of looking at something closely and carefully |
检查 (jiǎnchá) |
The scientific examination of fossils led to Cope’s observations. |
| fossils |
The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock |
化石 (huàshí) |
Fossils provide evidence for evolutionary theories. |
| pattern |
A repeated form or design especially that is used to signify a concept |
模式 (móshì) |
Cope noticed a pattern of increasing sizes within species. |
| species |
A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding |
物种 (wùzhǒng) |
The theory was applied to various species in the fossil record. |
| evolution |
The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed from earlier forms |
进化 (jìnhuà) |
Evolution is often thought of as a process leading to larger sizes. |
| directed |
Guided or managed |
指向 (zhǐxiàng) |
Evolution was directed towards larger-size creatures, according to Cope. |
| fossil lineages |
Chronological charts of fossils of a specific species charted over time |
化石谱系 (huàshí pǔxì) |
Cope used fossil lineages to support his principle. |
| chronological charts |
Diagrams showing the sequence of events over time |
时间顺序图 (shíjiān shùnxù tú) |
Fossil lineages are essentially chronological charts. |
| charted |
Recorded or plotted on a chart |
制图 (zhìtú) |
He charted fossils of different ages. |
| notes |
Observations or comments |
注意 by Joe |
Cope notes a tendency toward increasing size in his studies. |
| a tendency toward |
An inclination or bias towards something |
倾向 (qīngxiàng) |
There was a tendency toward increasing size in many species. |
| deterrent |
Something that discourages or is intended to discourage someone or something |
威慑 (wēishè) |
Being bigger can be a deterrent to predators. |
| happened to be |
Occurred by chance |
偶然是 (ǒurán shì) |
Larger animals happened to be more fuel-efficient. |
| fuel-efficient |
Using fuel in an effective way with little waste |
燃油效率高的 (rán yóu xiào lǜ gāo de) |
Larger animals are more fuel-efficient than smaller ones. |
| marine |
Related to the sea |
海洋的 (hǎiyáng de) |
Marine animals, like whales, exhibit this size efficiency. |
| eggs |
The female reproductive cell in animals and plants |
卵 (luǎn) |
Larger females tend to produce more eggs. |
| passing on |
Transmitting something to the next generation |
传递 (chuándì) |
Larger females have a better chance of passing on their genes. |
| mounted |
Organized and initiated |
发起 (fāqǐ) |
A challenge to Cope’s Rule was mounted in the 1970s. |
| promoted |
Supported or actively encouraged |
促进 (cùjìn) |
Gould promoted an alternative theory. |
| subsequently |
Later; following in time or order |
随后 (suíhòu) |
This theory subsequently gained widespread acceptance. |
| gained |
Acquired or increased |
获得 (huòdé) |
The alternative theory gained acceptance among biologists. |
| widespread acceptance |
General agreement or approval |
广泛接受 (guǎngfàn jiēshòu) |
Gould’s theory received widespread acceptance. |
| set against |
To be in opposition to |
反对 (fǎnduì) |
Gould was set against theories suggesting a directed evolution. |
| drive |
To push or propel something in a particular direction |
驱使 (qūshǐ) |
Theories that evolution tends to drive towards larger sizes were challenged. |
| certain ends |
Specific goals or outcomes |
特定的目标 (tèdìng de mùbiāo) |
Gould opposed the idea that evolution drives towards certain ends. |
| on mind |
Occupying one’s thoughts |
在意 (zàiyì) |
Theories like Cope’s Rule are influenced more by what’s on the scientist’s mind. |
| regarding |
Concerning; about |
关于 (guānyú) |
Gould had concerns regarding the scientific method used. |
| tended to |
Were inclined to or showed a likelihood of |
倾向于 (qīngxiàng yú) |
Scientists tended to look at fossils in a way that supported Cope’s Rule. |
| ignoring |
Paying no attention to |
忽视 (hūshì) |
There’s a danger of ignoring evidence that contradicts one’s thesis. |
| contrary |
Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning |
相反 (xiāngfǎn) |
Evidence contrary to Cope’s Rule was often overlooked. |
| thesis |
A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved |
论点 (lùndiǎn) |
Gould’s thesis challenged Cope’s Rule. |
| troubled |
Concerned or worried |
困扰 (kùnrǎo) |
Gould was troubled by the methodological approach of Cope. |
| gaps |
Missing parts or holes in a sequence or series |
缺口/ 空白 |
The fossil record has many gaps, complicating analysis. |
| interpret |
Explain the meaning of |
解释 (jiěshì) |
Gould interpreted the gaps in the fossil record differently. |
| rather |
Preferably; instead |
相当 |
Gould suggested a rather different view of evolution. |
| wipes out |
Eliminates or destroys completely |
消灭 (xiāomiè) |
Natural disasters often wipe out large numbers of individuals. |
| individuals |
Single organisms |
个体 (gètǐ) |
Larger individuals are more likely to be wiped out in a disaster. |
| cut off |
Stopped or terminated |
切断 (qiēduàn) |
When food supply is cut off, smaller creatures survive better. |
| random |
Happening by chance |
随机 (suíjī) |
Gould saw evolution as a more random process than Cope did. |
| in effect |
Essentially; in practice |
实际上 (shíjì shàng) |
After a disaster, evolution in effect might seem directed. |
| tendency |
An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behavior |
倾向 (qīngxiàng) |
Gould suggested a tendency towards larger sizes after a disaster isn’t an evolutionary advantage. |
| simple physics |
The basic principles of physics |
简单物理 (jiǎndān wùlǐ) |
Simple physics explains why you won’t see an insect as large as an elephant. |
| insect |
A small arthropod animal that has six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings |
昆虫 (kūnchóng) |
The size of insects is limited by simple physics. |
| exoskeleton |
The external skeleton that supports and protects an animal’s body, especially in arthropods such as insects and crustaceans |
外骨骼 |
An insect’s exoskeleton can’t support the weight of an elephant-sized creature. |