Classification and Variation Flashcards
What five kingdoms are living organisms classified into?
Bacteria, fungi, protists, plants, and animals.
What are arthropods?
Arthropods are a diverse group of invertebrate animals with a segmented body and an exoskeleton.
What are examples of arthropods?
Spiders, crabs, or lobsters.
What are features of arthropods?
- have hard, external exoskeleton made of chitin that provides support and protection
- have jointed legs
- have an open circulatory system
What is the difference between insects and spiders?
- spiders have 8 legs, whilst insects have 6 legs
- spiders don’t have wings, whilst insects can have wings
- spiders lack antennae, whilst insects often have a antennae on their head
What are vertebrates?
Vertebrates are animals with a backbone made of vertebrae that protects the spinal cord.
What are examples of vertebrates?
Frogs, dogs, sharks.
What are features of vertebrates?
- have a backbone
- have an internal skeleton
- have a closed circulatory system
- have a complex nervous system
What 5 groups do vertebrates have?
Fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals
What are some characteristics of fish?
They:
- are ectothermic (cold-blooded)
- have gills for breathing
- have scales and fins
What are some characteristics of reptiles?
They:
- are ectothermic (cold-blooded)
- have scales or scutes
- have an amniotic egg with a shell
- have mostly 4 limbs
What are some characteristics of amphibians?
They:
- have moist skin
- undergo metamorphosis
- have a three-chambered heart
What are some characteristics of birds?
They:
- are endothermic (warm-blooded)
- have feathers and beaks
- lay amniotic eggs
What are some characteristics of mammals?
They:
- are endothermic (warm-blooded)
- have hair or fur
- have mammary glands
- have live births or laid eggs
What do all organisms in the world show?
Variation
What are two types of variation?
Continuous and Discontinuous Variation
What is continuous variation?
It can vary over a range of values.
What are examples of continuous variation?
Height or weight, where the feature can have any value at all or within a certain range.
What is discontinuous variation?
It can only take certain values.
What are examples of discontinuous variation?
A person’s blood group
