Summary Questions Flashcards
What is a dichotomous key.
It is a key to identify a plant or animal in which each stage presents specific features different from the last by distinguishing two or more characters. (Di = two)
What are the two main groups of animals?
Vertebrate and invertebrates.
What’s the difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate?
Vertebrates have spines, invertebrates don’t.
What are the 5 main types of vertebrates?
Fish, Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles.
What special features do fish have and are they warm blooded or cold blooded?
They have scales and breathe with gills not lungs. Fish are also cold blooded.
What special features do amphibians have and are they warm or cold blooded?
They can live in both land and water and they have SMOOTH and MOIST skin. They lay eggs in water. Aside from some fish, some amphibians go through a stage called metamorphosis.
What are the special features of reptiles?
Reptiles are air breathing animals and love on land. Even though some reptile go in water, they need to come up to the surface for air. They give birth to eggs but the eggs are laid on land and have a protective shell.
What are the special features for birds?
Birds have wings and they are the only category to have feathers. Unlike all the other category’s, birds are warm blooded meaning that they can adjust to the current temperature. Birds lay eggs but have hard shells.
What are the special features of mammals?
Humans belong to the mammal category. Mammals are warm blooded like birds. Mammals give birth to live young. Mammals must have some fur or hair and breathe air. Mammals that live on the ocean like dolphins must come up for air. All mammals give their babies milk. Mammals are the only category to have ears that point out.
What are some examples of vertebrates?
Arachnids, jellyfish, squid/octopus and crustaceans.
