animal kingdom Flashcards
What is the Animal Kingdom?
The Animal Kingdom (Animalia) is a diverse group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic and usually capable of movement.
What are the main characteristics of animals?
Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic, lack cell walls, are usually mobile at some stage of life, and reproduce sexually or asexually.
What is the difference between invertebrates and vertebrates?
Invertebrates lack a backbone, while vertebrates have a backbone (vertebral column).
Name the five main phyla of invertebrates.
Porifera (sponges), Cnidaria (jellyfish), Platyhelminthes (flatworms), Annelida (segmented worms), and Arthropoda (insects, crustaceans).
What is the largest phylum in the Animal Kingdom?
The largest phylum is Arthropoda, which includes insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.
What is a defining feature of phylum Porifera?
Porifera, or sponges, have porous bodies and lack true tissues and organs.
What are cnidocytes?
Cnidocytes are specialized cells in Cnidarians (like jellyfish) that contain stinging structures called nematocysts.
What is the body symmetry of Cnidarians?
Cnidarians exhibit radial symmetry.
What is the main characteristic of phylum Platyhelminthes?
Platyhelminthes, or flatworms, are characterized by their flat bodies and bilateral symmetry.
