Comparative Anatomy

Question 1

Describe the skeletal system of the bird

Answer 1

• Feathers for flight and insulation
• Bones have thin cortex and long bones are pneumatic
• Enlarged sternum or keel for attachment of large pectoral flight muscles

Question 2

Describe the cardiopulmonary system of the bird

Answer 2

• No alveoli
• No diaphragm
• Have air sacs
• Have red blood cells with a nucleus

Question 3

Describe the digestive system of the bird

Answer 3

• Has a crop (moistens food)
• Gizzard (no teeth)
• Internal testes
• One oviduct which produces eggs
  Cloaca (digestive, urinary and genital tracts have one opening)

Question 4

Describe the chelonian shell

Answer 4

• Developed from modified ribs, portions of vertebrae, pelvic bones and skin
• Overlaid with keratinous scutes
• Dorsal shell = Carapace
• Ventral shell = Plaston

Question 5

Describe the lizard anatomy

Answer 5

• No diaphragm
• Some species shed tail (autotomy)
• Tail will regrow, but new vertebrae are cartilaginous
• Shed skin in pieces
• Males have hemipenes

Question 6

Describe the snake’s anatomy

Answer 6

• No thoracic limbs
• May have pelvic girdle and vestigial pelvic limbs
• Kinetic skull which allows a wide gape
• Male has hemipenes

Question 7

How do fish have locomotion?

Answer 7

• Fins
• Swim bladder

Question 8

Describe the fish’s respiratory system

Answer 8

• Gills: get rids of waste CO2 and ammonia
• Water taken in by mouth, mouth closes, water is forced out through the operculum over gills for gas exchange

Question 9

Describe the fish’s circulatory system

Answer 9

• Single circulation
• Blood leaves ventricles, passes to gills and then onto the rest of the body

Question 10

Describe the fish’s reproductive system

Answer 10

• Fertilisation usually external via spawning
• Males release sperm, which milts into water, and then the females release eggs
• Some species are hermaphrodites or may change sex