1.2 Animal Design

Question 1

Selection pressures in evolutionary locomotion (3)

Answer 1

Resources (e.g. habitat, food, mates)
Environment (e.g. temperature, weather, access)
Biology (e.g. predators, pathogens)

Question 2

A locomotor system needs to… (3)

Answer 2

Support body mass
Moves centre of mass
Move limbs

Question 3

List three adaptations of a quadrupedal carnivore.

Answer 3

Claws for chasing prey
Lighter limbs for speed
Flexible spine for increased stride length

Question 4

List three adaptations of a quadrupedal herbivore.

Answer 4

Columnar limbs
Decreased limb mass
Ungulate - longer distal limb bones for longer strides.

Question 5

List four adaptations of a biped for walking.

Answer 5

Long columnar hindlimbs
Shorter forelimbs for tools/climbing
Plantigrade - food acts as lever
Upright spine - C.O.M directly above base of support

Question 6

List two adaptations of a biped for running.

Answer 6

Long legs with long distal levers.

Musculature to maximise force, contraction speed, series compliance.

Question 7

List three adaptations of a biped for flight.

Answer 7

Hindlimbs adapted for perching, catching prey.

Forelimbs adapted for flight.