Adaptations to flight Flashcards
1
Q
Describe feathers
A
- constructed of fibrous protein (keratin)
- light, durable, resists microbes
2
Q
Types of feathers
A
Contour - gives shape to body Flight - extend beyond body Down - soft, fluffy, used for insulation Powder down - used for waterproofing Filoplume - Decorative, hair like, may have sensory function
3
Q
Parts of a feather
A
- Vanes
- Quills (calamus)
- Shaft (Rachus)
- Barbs
- overlapping barbules
- hooklets
4
Q
Types of molting
A
Synchronous molt - Lose all feathers at once and cant fly
Asynchronous molt - Replace flight and tail feathers individually, one at a time
5
Q
Providing lift for flight
A
- slightly concave lower surface
- negative, low pressure and dorsal side
6
Q
Flight control
A
Stalling - changing angle of attack, causes turbulence and creates drag
7
Q
Wing slots
A
Directs air over dorsal surface to maintain lift at lower speeds
8
Q
2 types of wing slotting
A
1) Alula
2) slots between primary feathers
9
Q
Soaring/gliding wings
A
- no wing slots
- long, narrow wings
- exploit winds for lift
10
Q
High-lift wings
A
- Wing slotting in alulas
- promote high lift at low speeds
- helpful for heavy loads
11
Q
Elliptical wings
A
- slots between each primary
- prevents stalling on sharp turns, low speed flight, frequent landings and takeoff
12
Q
High speed wings
A
- No wing slots
- often feed in air
- long migrations
13
Q
Center of gravity
A
- slightly below where wing joins body
- heaviest organs close to center of gravity
- air sacs located above center of gravity
14
Q
Red (dark) muscle
A
- slow twitch: contracts slowly
- specialized for long term activity without fatigue
- rich blood supply, numerous mitochondria, high myoglobin
15
Q
White muscle
A
- fast twitch: contracts quickly
- specialized for explosive takeoffs, quickly fatigues
- less vascular, fewer mitochondria, low myoglobin
