Vertebrates 2

Question 1

Describe the life cycle and feeding habits of lampreys.

Answer 1

Lampreys are jawless vertebrates that attach to hosts with their sucker-like mouths, rasp teeth to dig into the host’s body, and suck blood and body fluids.

Question 2

What are the defining features of cartilaginous fishes, and how do they reproduce?

Answer 2

Cartilaginous fishes have cartilaginous skeletons, internal fertilization, and lack swim bladders. They reproduce via internal fertilization.

Question 3

Discuss the characteristics and ecological significance of ray-finned fishes.

Answer 3

Ray-finned fishes have bony skeletons, fins supported by bony spines, and are an important food source. Most have swim bladders for buoyancy.

Question 4

What distinguishes lobe-finned fishes, and what are some examples?

Answer 4

Lobe-finned fishes have fleshy fins with rod-shaped bones. Examples include coelacanths and lungfishes.

Question 5

What are the key characteristics of amphibians, and how do they reproduce?

Answer 5

Amphibians have moist skin, undergo metamorphosis, and reproduce sexually through external fertilization in water.

Question 6

Discuss the process of metamorphosis in amphibians and its significance.

Answer 6

Amphibians begin life as aquatic larvae with gills and undergo metamorphosis into terrestrial adults with lungs, adapting to both water and land.