aves/mammalia Flashcards
What are the two major lineages of living birds?
paleognaths and neognaths
What is the difference between paleognaths and neognaths?
paleognaths are typically larger and flightless, neognaths are everything else
What are some general characteristics of birds?
beak, feathers, efficient respiratory and circulatory systems, homeothermic, lightweight skeleton, well developed brain, complex behaviors
Describe the feathers of birds.
feathers are homologous with scales of reptiles, they are composed of keratin and periodically molted, different types for different functions
What is the function of down feathers?
trap air for insulation
What is the function of contour feathers?
barbed and aid in flight. also for protection and coloring
Describe how the skeleton of birds has been adapted for flight.
lightweight, pneumatized bone and fusion of elements to maintain rigidity, large keel provides attachment site for large flying muscles
What is the function of the synsacrum bone in birds?
it supports bearing the bird’s weight on its two legs
What is the function of the pygostyle bone in birds?
supports the tail feathers
What is the function of the keel in birds?
attachment site for the large muscles that are used during flight
What is the purpose for the fused ankle bones in birds?
helps absorb shock during landing
What is the function of the pelvic girdle in birds?
modified to shift the weight of the bird forward
Describe the respiratory system of birds.
efficient with paired lungs and many air sacs that provide unidirectional air flow. air sacs also function as a cooling system as birds do not have sweat glands
How are the hearts of birds different than that of other animals of similar size?
it is very large to allow the pumping of large quantities of oxygen and nutrients
What is the function of the crop in birds?
stores food and secretes crop milk that can be fed to young
What is the function of the gizzard in birds?
grinds up food
What structure connects the crop and gizzard in birds?
the proventriculus
Describe the cloaca of birds.
the cloaca serves urinary, digestive, and reproductive functions
Where are salt glands located in birds, and what is their function?
the salt glands are located in the orbits of their eyes and excrete salt
What is the function of the uropygial gland?
secretes a mixture of waxes and lipids that coats the feathers preventing moisture absorption to create a waterproof barrier
How many chambers does the heart of a bird have?
4
How many chambers does the heart of a mammal have?
4
What are some characteristics of mammals?
possess mammary glands that produce milk for feeding to their young, endothermic and have hair on their bodies
What muscle is used for respiration in mammals?
diaphragm
What organ produces bile in mammals?
liver
What organ produces digestive enzymes in mammals?
pancreas
What organ filters blood and replaces damaged blood cells in mammals?
spleen
What organ removes waste and extra fluids from the body in mammals?
kidneys
What are the functions of the adrenal glands?
produce hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, immune function, and stress
How can you tell if a rat is male?
male rats will have a very large scrotum that houses and protects the testes
How can you tell if a rat is female?
female rats will have paired ovaries as well as separate urinary and genital openings
What is unique about the circulatory system of birds and mammals?
they have 4 chambered hearts and they have a double circuit system. a double circuit system is composed of a pulmonary circuit and a systemic circuit. the pulmonary circuit travels between the heart and lungs, while the systemic circuit travels between the heart and the body.
