AVIAN A&P

Question 1

What common structures do birds share with mammals?

Answer 1

Four-chambered heart, warm bloodedness, large brain size.

Question 2

What are birds evolved from?

Answer 2

Fish>amphibian>reptile>bird & mammal

Question 3

What features are birds considered “reptiles adapted to”?

Answer 3

Warm bloodedness, high activity, flight, running

Question 4

What are feathers?

Answer 4

Epidermal derivatives of reptilian scales.

Question 5

What are the components of the feather?

Answer 5

The shaft in the center, barbs=set off at angle, barbules=right angle to barbs, hooklets=interlock

Question 6

What are the two kinds of feathers?

Answer 6

Down feathers=fluffy, warm, insulating (by trapping air=insulation)
Flight=contour=straight, long shafts (give bird its shape)

Question 7

How are feathers distributed on the bird?

Answer 7

Feathers are arranged in distinct patterns called pterylae=feather tracts with bare species in between=apteria

Question 8

How the flight feathers grouped?

Answer 8

Two groups:
Retrices=tail tuft feathers
Remiges=feathers on wing. 2 groups: distal to wrist=primary, on ulna=secondary

Question 9

What is the preen gland?

Answer 9

Preen gland=uropygial gland=only true cutaneous gland at tail base. rest of bird skin is not glandular.

Question 10

What is the nasal salt gland?

Answer 10

Exists in marine birds to excrete excess salt

Question 11

Describe the avian axial skeleton?

Answer 11

There is a variable # of cervical vertebrae, 5-10 thoracic vertebrae free, then the caudal thoracic are fused with lumbar, lumbar fused with sacral, sacral fused with cranial coccygeal, thats fused with pelvis to form synsacrum