Short Exam Questions Flashcards
What is a vertebrate?
List some examples
Animal of a large group with possession of a backbone or spinal column
(Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes)
What is an Invertebrate?
List some examples
An animal lacking in backbone
Anthropod, Mollusc, annelid and coelenterate
What is genetic variation?
Presence in natural differences in traits within a species
What is adaptation?
Characteristics to help an organism survive in it’s environment
Define 6 characteristics of an animal
- Multicellular
- Have/are offspring
- Specialised tissue parts with specific function
- Mobile
- React to environment
- Consumers- must gain nutrients
What is the order of taxonomy?
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
What is taxonomy?
Classification to organise living species into groups with similar traits
What are the 2 main groups/clades of birds?
Palaeognathae - Flightless birds (kiwis, ostrich,emu, rhea)
Neognathae- Remainder of bird diversity
Name 3 morphological features that separate sharks from bony fishes
Shark
1.)Exoskeleton (Placoid Scales)
Endo skeleton (Cartilage)
2.) Operculum absent, gill slits, 4-7 pairs of gills
3.)Mouth- Inferior (ventral) except for whale sharks
Bony Fish
1.)Exoskeleton (Cycloid/Ctenoid scales)
Endoskeleton (Bones)
2.)Gills covered with Operculum, 4 pairs of gills
3.) Mouth
-Terminal
-Subterminal
-Inferior (catfish)
-Superior
-Protrusible
What are the main morphological adaptations to flight in birds?
Body Contour (conserve energy) Compact Body Covered in feathers Forelimbs modified into wings Mobile neck and head Bipedal locomotion Perching Short tail
Are birds dinosaurs? Give some examples.
Presence of scales/feathers
Lay eggs
Endothermic metabolism
