Vertebrate Unit Flashcards
What are chordate characteristics?
flexible rod (pre-backbone / vertebral
column), nerve cord (pre-spinal cord) running down back
and slits in the throat area.
Phylum Chordata: all vertebrates, few invertebrates
What are some vertebrate characteristics?
Endoskeleton
endo = inside
protects organs, body shape/support, muscle attachment
backbone (vertebral column, “spine”)
protects the spinal cord and provides flexibility
What is an Ectotherm?
an animal whose body temperature is close to the temperature of their environment; its body does not produce much internal heat ;cold-blooded.
What is an Endotherm?
an animal whose body temperature is stable and often warmer than their environment; its body regulates its own temperature by controlling the internal heat it produces;warm-blooded.
What are fish characteristics?
ectotherms (cold-blooded)
fins (movement)
scales
gills (respiration)
water lifestyle
mostly external fertilization
closed circulatory system
2-chamber heart (evolutionarily important)
oldest & largest vertebrate group
How are fish classified?
Jawless fish-Agnatha
Cartilagenous fish-Chondrichthyess
Bony fish-Osteichthyes
What are Jawless fish characteristics?
No jaws
No scales
Cartilage skeleton
What are cartilaginous fish characteristics?
Jaws
Scales
Cartilage skeleton
What are bony fish characteristics?
Jaws
Scales
Bone skeleton
Gill pocket with flap
Swim bladder(internal gas-filled sac
What are Amphibian characteristics?
ectothermic: cold-blooded
juvenile life: water (gills),
movement: fins
1 loop circulatory system, 2 chamber heart, herbivores
What are the characteristics of an amphibian’s adult life?
land (lungs) but reproduce in water; thin, moist skin
movement: skeleton with muscle, leaping
2 loop circulatory system, 3 chamber heart, camouflage
carnivores
What are the characteristics of a lizard?
4 legs with clawed toes, tail, ears,
eyelids, 2 lungs; most carnivores; walk/run
What are the characteristics of a snake?
no legs, streamline body, no ears,no eyelids, 1 lung; carnivores; slither by
muscle contractions
What are the characteristics of an alligator?
broad, rounded snout, few teeth
(mouth closed); max size: 15 ft, 1000 lbs
What are the characteristics of a crocodile?
tapered, pointed snout; pencil-like;many teeth (mouth closed); max size: 17-20 ft, 2300 lbs
What are the characteristics of a turtle?
shell (with ribs & backbone) made of
fused scales
beak
herbivores & carnivores
What are the characteristics of a bird?
endothermic: warm blooded (maintain constant body
temperature by food and feathers),feathers hollow bones,air sacs,First Major Group w/ 4 chamber heart (prevents mixing of O2 rich and O2 poor blood), eggs (hard shell), “care for young” behavior (feed & protect until young able to fly), internal fertilization
What the adaptions for flight?
hollow bones, wings, large chest muscles, feathers (2 types): contour feathers- steering & flight, down feathers- trap heat & warmth, air sacs- connected to lungs to obtain more oxygen
How do birds obtain food?
Bills – tear, strainer
Crop - internal storage tank
Two part stomach:
Part 1: chemical breakdown
Part 2: gizzard- physical breakdown with stones (gastroliths)
What are the roles of a bird?
pollinators
disperse seeds
pest predators
What are the characteristics of a mammal?
endotherms – warm blooded
4 chamber heart
fur/hair
breast (mammary glands, milk)
“care for young” behavior
lungs with diaphragm
advanced nervous system (complex
brains for problem solving)
highly developed senses (large eyes, sonar,
smell sensitivity)
What are the adaptations of a mammal?
Teeth Adaptations:
Incisors: cut
Canines: tear, slash
Molars: grind
Cold Environmental Adaptations: to keep warm, Food (higher in calories, meat or fish), Fur/hair, Fat
Movement Adaptations:
walk, run, hop, swing, glide,
swim (w/ flippers)
What are monotremes?
lay eggs (primitive), one of three mammal group
What are Marsupials?
partly developed young live in
a pouch, one of three mammal group
What are Placental Mammals?
develop inside mothers body; diverse, subdivided, based
on eating and movement, one of three mammal group
