Animal biodiversity - Reptiles and birds

Question 1

what gives amniotes their name?

Answer 1

embryos develop in shells with 4 membrane layers eliminating the larval stage

Question 2

what are the 4 extraemembryonic layers called and their roles?

Answer 2

1) amnion - protection
2) allantois - waste and gas exchange
3) chorion - gas exchange
4) yolk sak - provides nutrients

Question 3

what are the 3 amniote lineages and how many fenestra (windows in skull) does each have?

Answer 3

1) anapsid - no fenestra
2) diapsid - 2 fenestra
3) synapsid - 1 fenestra

Question 4

is the phylum reptile paraphyletic or monophyletic?

Answer 4

paraphyletic

Question 5

what are reptiles reproductive strategy?

Answer 5

internal fertilisation and lay eggs on land

Question 6

what are 2 metabolic features of reptiles?

Answer 6

1) 4 chambered heart

2) ectothermal

Question 7

3 structural features of reptiles

Answer 7

1) scaly keratinised skin
2) heavier skeleton with strong joints
3) complex muscle and nervous system

Question 8

when do the oldest reptile fossils date back to?

Answer 8

300mya carboniferous

Question 9

what is it thought early reptile forms fed on?

Answer 9

invertebrates

Question 10

when and what was the first radiation in reptiles and what did the second radiation lead too?

Answer 10

permian led to anapsids, diapsids, synapsids and second led to dinosaurs

Question 11

3 reasons why reptiles are incapable of sustaining rapid motion

Answer 11

1) stride is short
2) ectothermic -glycolysis rather than oxidative metabolism
3) the way close limb segments move

Question 12

4 pieces of evidence dinosaurs were endothermic?

Answer 12

1) long strides
2) legs below body
3) predator/prey relationships
4) vascularised bones

Question 13

2 pieces of evidence dinosaurs were ectothermic

Answer 13

1) warm mesazoic

2) high surface area to volume ratio

Question 14

2 features of the order chelonia to help protect them from predators ?

Answer 14

1) bony dermal plates form shell

2) retractable limbs

Question 15

what does the order squamata include?

Answer 15

lizards and snakes

Question 16

what are 2 features snakes have lost?

Answer 16

1) eyelids

2) limbs

Question 17

what are 2 specialisations snakes have for finding prey?

Answer 17

1) jacobsons organ senses smell

2) pit organs sense heat

Question 18

what are the 2 features of the order crocodilia which adapts them to life in water?

Answer 18

1) broad tail

2) eye, ear, nose openings on top of head

Question 19

how do you define the class aves?

Answer 19

by the presence of feathers

Question 20

5 features which make birds light and able to fly?

Answer 20

1) reduced organs (1 ovary)
2) keratin bill
3) honeycomb bone structure
4) no teeth - food ground in gizzard altering centre of gravity
5) large pectoral muscle giving power for flight

Question 21

what is the shape of birds wings?

Answer 21

aerofoil shaped

Question 22

how are feathers held together?

Answer 22

barbs and hooked barbules

Question 23

what are feathers made from?

Answer 23

outgrowths of keratin from skin

Question 24

how do aves regulate body temp?

Answer 24

endothermic with feathers and fat for insulation

Question 25

do birds see in colour and can they learn?

Answer 25

yes and yes

Question 26

what is the evolutionary origin of birds?

Answer 26

they arose from bipedal dinosaur theropod

Question 27

what are the 2 hypotheses for the origin of flight?

Answer 27

1) ancestors were climbers and they evolved to glide to ground
2) evolved as an adaptation for catching and later aided rapid running, jumping and gliding

Question 28

what are the 2 modern groups of birds?

Answer 28

1) ratites - can’t fly

2) carinates - great variety adapted to many environments