I believe the answer is C.
because when the dinosaurs thrived they ate most of the mammals which were small animals but when the dinosaurs went extinct the mammals grew larger in size and started to thrive.
Dependent reaction is the factor that is observed and measured
I am inclined to say 1. core and mantle... but im not entirely sure...
sorry not much help at all!
The answer is the first 1. i think. :p