Vertebrates

Question 1

what are vertebrates?

Answer 1

animals that have a vertebral column or backbone

Question 2

name the five groups of vertebrates

Answer 2

mammals, amphbians, birds, reptiles and fish

Question 3

state the characteristics of fish

Answer 3

.streamlined
.have fins for swimming and balance
.eyes
.lateral line for detecting pressure changes in water
.breathe dissolved oxygen from the water using their gills
.have scales
examples: tuna, herring, shark, catfish and cod
.unlike fish, other class of vertebrates have ears for detecting sound and four limbs

Question 4

state the characteristics of amphibians

Answer 4

.smooth, moist skin
.live on land, return to water to breed
.fertilisation external because sperm and eggs are released into the water
.development external: the fertilised eggs hatch into swimming tadpoles which have gills for breathing
.on land, adult amphibians breathe using their lungs, in water breathe through their skin
.examples: frogs, toads and salamanders

Question 5

state the characteristics for reptiles

Answer 5

.dry, scaly skin to cut down water loss
.live in dry regions so do not return to water to breed
.fertilisation takes place inside the females body
.development is external as they lay eggs with leathery, waterproof shells which stop them from drying out
.lungs to breathe air
.examples: crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises

Question 6

state the characteristics for birds

Answer 6

.feathers and their front limbs are modified as wings
.most fly some cannot (penguins and ostriches)
.no teeth, beaks adapted to deal with different types of food
.fertilisation internal
.development external, females lay eggs which are protected by hard shells
.homeothermic (warm-blooded) able to regulate their body temperature, can keep it constant even though the outside temperature changes
.examples: hawks, eagles, sparrows, parrots and starlings

Question 7

state the characteristics for mammals

Answer 7

.vertebrates that have hair or fur
.fertilisation is internal and so is development
.young develop in the womb and they are born already well developed
.female mammals suckle their young on milk from mammary glands
.lungs for breathing, even aquatic ones like whales and dolphins
.homeothermic
.examples: leopards, bats, dolphins, bears, lemurs and wolves