Quantum Effects in Bird Migration

 As children, we learn that birds migrate to warmer climates in the winter.  But how do birds know how to find their way?

  Like sailors of the past, birds used the celestial world above us as a compass. 

However, scientists have recently discovered birds are able to ‘see’ and use the Earth’s magnetic field as an additional migratory map.

  Formed photochemically in the eyes of a bird, small quantum effects in brief molecular pieces, called radical pairs, suggest that birds are essentially able to see the magnetic field lines of our Earth and use that as a guide along their journey.  Magnetoreception, or using a magnetic field to perceive direction, seems to be equally as important for migrating birds as the stars and other celestial bodies in the skies.  Birds’ possession of these special quantum eye traits are so developed that in a laboratory, even if the magnetic field is inverted, birds experience no disruption to their sense of orientation.  Next time you observe migrating birds, marvel at their unique capability to navigate between temporal homes, year after year. 

“Next time you observe migrating birds, marvel at their unique capability to navigate between temporal homes, year after year.”

Quantum Effects in Bird Migration 

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Which of the following sentences from the passage is evidence to reinforce the claim presented in the above statement?

• Magnetoreception, or using a magnetic field to perceive direction, seems to be equally as important for migrating birds as the stars and other celestial bodies in the skies.
• Formed photochemically in the eyes of a bird, small quantum effects in brief molecular pieces, called radical pairs, suggest that birds are essentially able to see the magnetic field lines of our Earth and use that as a guide along their journey.
• As children, we learn that birds migrate to warmer climates in the winter.
• Birds’ possession of these special quantum eye traits are so developed that in a laboratory, even if the magnetic field is inverted, birds experience no disruption to their sense of orientation.

End Quiz

Answer Explanation

Incorrect

Formed photochemically in the eyes of a bird, small quantum effects in brief molecular pieces, called radical pairs, suggest that birds are essentially able to see the magnetic field lines of our Earth and use that as a guide along their journey.

This answer is correct. The statement provides information that reinforces the claim in the question. For instance, birds are able to navigate between temporal homes because they are able to see and use the magnetic field lines as a guide. This information serves as evidence and backs up the claim.

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As children, we learn that birds migrate to warmer climates in the winter.

This answer is incorrect. The statement does not provide any evidence to support the claim in the question, and only shows what we initially learn about birds.

Birds’ possession of these special quantum eye traits are so developed that in a laboratory, even if the magnetic field is inverted, birds experience no disruption to their sense of orientation. 

This answer is incorrect. The statement provides information about laboratory testing related to the topic, and does not provide evidence about migrating birds in the wild.

Magnetoreception, or using a magnetic field to perceive direction, seems to be equally as important for migrating birds as the stars and other celestial bodies in the skies. 

This answer is incorrect. Although this statement provides information about magnetoreception, it does not fully provide evidence to support the claim in the question, as this statement also includes extra information about other celestial bodies in the skies.