EXAM 2 (terminology) Flashcards
Taxonomy
The science of classifying and naming organisms. It involves the hierarchical arrangement of species into groups based on similarities and evolutionary relationships
Cladogram
A diagram that shows the relationships among different groups of organisms based on shared derived characteristics
It’s a type of phylogenetic tree that doesn’t necessarily indicate time or evolutionary distances
Clade
A group of organisms that include common ancestor and all its descendents
a branch
Cutaneous Respiration
Respiration through the skin
Common in amphibians and some fish
Amniote
Vertebrates that have an amniotic egg, which contains a membrane (amnion) that surrounds the emryo
Allows them to reproduce in terrestrial environments
Carnivory
Feeding behvior where an organisms primarily consumes animal flesh
Kleptogenesis
a form of reproduction in some organisms where a female acquires gentic material from a mlae of another species but does not incorporate the male’s DNA into the offspring
This can create hybrid organisms
Autotomy
the ability of an organism to shed body parts
defense mechanism
Metamorphosis
a biological process by which an organism undergoes a significant transformation, usually from juvenile to an adult stage
common in amphibians
Synapsid
one temporal fenestrae
mammals
Diapsid
Two temporal fenestrae
reptiles and birds
Anapsid
No temporal fenestrae
some turtles
Endothermy
Ability of an organism to generate and maintain body heat through internal metabolic processes
Common in birds and mammals
Acrodont
A type of tooth attachment where the teeth are fused to the upper edge of the jawbone without sockets
Parthenogenesis
A type of sexual reproduction where the offspring are produced without fert. by a male.
Common in insects fish and reptiles
Fenestra
An opening or hole in a bone, commonly in the skull. Important in defining different types of vertebrates
Pneumatization
The presence of air spaces within bones. In birds it helps reduce weight without compromising much strength
Tranisitional fossil
Fossils that show intermediate characteristics between different groups, demonstrating the evolutionary transition from one form to another
Lactation
production and secretion of milk from mammary glands
Unique to mammals
Crypsis
Avoid detection by predators, allows to blend in with the environment
Batesian mimicry
a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful or unpalatable species
Opisthoglyphous
Long, hollow, hinged fangs at the front of the mouth, allowing for deep penetration and efficient venom delivery
Vipers, pit vipers, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths
Proteroglyphous
Shorter, fixed fangs at the front of the mouth, with a hollow structure for direct venom injection
Elapids, cobras, coral snakes, mambas
Solenoglyphous
Long, hollow, hinged fangs at the front of the mouth, allowing for deep penetration and efficient venom delivery.
Vipers, pit vipers, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths.