Science: Internal and External Structures and Functions of Animals Flashcards
What are animals with internal bony skeletons called?
Vertebrates
What is the function of skeletons?
It protects an animal’s internal organs as well as to provide it with support and gives it shape
What is the heart’s function in an animal’s circulatory system?
Vertebrates rely on blood to carry the materials they need at all parts of the body. The heart is an internal organ that pumps blood to move blood around the body through arteries, veins and capillaries.
What is a key difference between the circulatory systems of vertebrates that live in water and those live on land?
Most vertebrates who live in water have hearts that pump blood through their bodies only in one circular motion.
Vertebrates that live on land usually have hearts that pump blood in two circles: one that pumps blood to the lungs, and another that pumps blood from the lungs to the rest of the body.
How are lungs and gills similar?
And how are they different?
Almost all animals need oxygen from the environment and release carbon dioxide. Lungs and gills are both part of different animals’ respiratory system, to take in oxygen needed by the animal.
Lungs in vertebrates are paired with breathing organs to take in and release air to get oxygen.
In fish, gills get oxygen from water as it flows over the gills, instead of from air.
What is the function of the brain?
The brain is an organ that receives information about an animal’s environment, interprets the meaning of the information, and tells the body how to respond.
What are the 3 main parts of the brain, and what do they do?
The cerebrum is the thinking part of the brain, to take in and interpret information it receives.
The cerebellum coordinates movement.
The brain stem controls many of the functions of internal organs.
What are some examples of animals that have exoskeletons instead of internal skeletons that support vertebrates?
How do exoskeletons protect them?
Snails, crabs, ladybugs.
Hard outer shells protect their soft internal organs and body parts from harm. Some are also waterproof to prevent water from entering their bodies.
Aside from exoskeletons, what are some other examples of animals’ external structures?
And what are their functions?
Skin: protects animals’ bodies and act as a barrier to harmful materials.
Fur, feather and scales: these can help to protect against the weather and elements such as rain, heat or cold.
Claws: these are sharp and can help to capture, carry and tear apart prey for food.
How does a chameleon’s skin help it to survive?
It changes colors to help the chameleon blend into its environment, to help it to hide from predators. It also helps the chameleon to hide from its prey, to make it easier to catch food.
