Question

Dr. Travis discovers a new species of mouse which is closely related to the species of mice listed in the table below. Mouse Species Average Mass

Deer Mouse: 17 grams
White Footed Mouse: 21 grams
House Mouse: 19 grams
Dr. Travis concludes that the new species of mouse will probably have an average mass of around 32 grams. Is Dr. Travis's conclusion reasonable?
A) Yes, Dr. Travis's conclusion is reasonable because he is a scientist, and scientists are never wrong.
B) Yes, Dr. Travis's conclusion is reasonable because his estimate fits within the mass range of the related species.
C) No, Dr. Travis's conclusion is not reasonable because there are no species of mice on Earth that have not been discovered.
D) No, Dr. Travis's conclusion is not reasonable because his estimate does not fit within the mass range of the related species.

Answer 1

Dr. Travis's conclusion that the new mouse species has an average mass of 32 grams is not reasonable because this estimate significantly exceeds the mass range of closely related mouse species.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conclusion by Dr. Travis regarding the new species of mouse is not reasonable. Based on the average mass of similar species provided—deer mouse at 17 grams, white-footed mouse at 21 grams, and house mouse at 19 grams—the suggested average mass for the new species being 32 grams falls outside the established mass range of these related species. Therefore, the proper answer is option D: No, Dr. Travis's conclusion is not reasonable because his estimate does not fit within the mass range of the related species.

While scientists are capable of making errors, their conclusions should be based upon empirical data and sound reasoning. It is essential that scientists remain critical and objective, assessing their hypotheses against the available evidence. Dr. Travis should reconsider his conclusion against the mass ranges of existing, related mouse species and possibly look into other factors that might justify such a discrepancy, if any exist.