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Diversity of Life > Birds > Flashcards

Birds Flashcards

1
Q

What class do birds belong to?

A

Aves

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2
Q

What do Therapods (dinosaurs) and birds have in common?

A

Small genomes, unidirectional air flow, feathered bodies, parental care, nesting, uncinate processes overlap successive ribs to reinforce rib-cage.

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3
Q

What are the two major clades of Aves?

A

Paleognathae and Neognathae.

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4
Q

Give characteristics of Paleognathae?

A

No Keel, flightless, weight not a constraint e.g. Ostrich.

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5
Q

Give characteristics of Neognathae?

A

Flexible palate, possess carina/sternal keel e.g. Penguins

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6
Q

What are some examples of Passerine (Songbird) features?

A

Unique Uropygial gland morphology, unique sperm morphology, ansiodactyly (finger orientation)

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7
Q

What is the function of the Uropygial gland?

A

Oil gland; secretes oil which can be spread over plumage.

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8
Q

Define Anisodactyl?

A

3 fingers forward, 1 back.

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9
Q

Define Zygodactyl?

A

2 fingers forward, 2 finger back.

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10
Q

Define Pamprodactyl?

A

4 fingers forward.

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11
Q

What response did birds make to the evolution of flight?

A

Weight loss by heavily restructured diapsid skull and jaw.

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12
Q

What aids the grinding and processing of food?

A

Muscular gizzard.

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13
Q

What is unique of the Toucan beak?

A

1/3 of body length but 1/20 of mass, bio composite beak; interior is rigid foam composed of bony fibre and exterior rigid Keratin.

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14
Q

How does the woodpecker shock-absorbing system work?

A

Spongy bone at the site of impact between the beak and skull acts as an impact cushion, longer parts of the mandibles direct the force of impact away from the brain.

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15
Q

What was one of the most significant transitions in vertebrate evolution from reptiles to birds/mammals?

A

Endothermy.

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16
Q

How might birds conserve heat?

A

Withdraw beak and feet into plumage, counter-current heat exchange by close proximity between arteries and veins.

17
Q

How might some birds conserve energy?

A

Daily torpor e.g. Hummingbirds

18
Q

What aspects of birds have evolved multiple times within vertebrates? (Homoplasy)

A

Wings, teeth,

19
Q

Describe the avian circulatory system?

A

4 chambered hearts, birds tend to have larger hearts than mammals.

20
Q

Describe the avian respiratory system?

A

Unidirectional air flow, posterior and anterior air sacs.

21
Q

What allows some birds to dive?

A

Can store lots of oxygen in the muscle by myoglobin.

22
Q

How has the brain changed in the move from reptile to bird?

A

Reduction in olfactory bulb, expansion of optic lobes (vision) and of the forebrain (complex behaviours).

23
Q

What makes the avian eye so successful?

A

4 photoreceptors, Tetra-chromatic vision, UV colours.

24
Q

How can birds sense direction?

A

Magnetic sense located in the eye, Light- dependant, avian compass arises in the the protein crypto chrome which is found in rod cells of the retina.

25
Q

What are pneumatic bones?

A

Hollow, thin walled, air-filled bones; light but strong.

26
Q

Where are primary and secondary feather located?

A

Primaries; on manus (hand) and Secondaries; on ulna (arm).

27
Q

How is the pectoral girdle adapted for flight?

A

Wings are above centre of gravity, sternum forms keel where flight muscles attach, clavicle fuses to from furcula which prevents collapse of girdle during flight.

28
Q

What muscles are involved in flight?

A

Pectoralis, Supracoracoideus

29
Q

How does muscle content differ between birds?

A

More white fibres in short distance flight birds such as chickens; more red fibres in migratory long distance flight birds such as ducks as these have more myoglobin and mitochondria.

30
Q

Describe the skeletal wing?

A

Humerus, radius and ulna, fused carpals, reduced digits.

31
Q

What role do primaries play in flight?

A

Forward propulsion

32
Q

What role do secondaries play in flight?

A

Vertical lift

33
Q

What role does the Alula play in flight?

A

Reduction of drag

34
Q

How is lift increased?

A

By increasing propulsion and increasing the angle of attack of wing.

35
Q

How is high speed achieved?

A

Low angle of attack of wing, low drag.

36
Q

How is low speed achieved?

A

Increasing angle of attack of wings but high drag.

37
Q

How is drag minimised?

A

Streamlining, lack of external ears, feet tucked in, feathers, wing shape.

38
Q

How are feathers used?

A

Flight, insulation, waterproofing, display, camouflage, eye and nostril protection.

Diversity of Life (16 decks)

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