Vertebrates Flashcards
What are 3 main features characteristic of all vertebrates?
spinal cords
vertebrae
notochords
What are 4 different types of fish?
jawless fish
fish with cartilage
bony fish with lobe fins
bony fish with ray fins
What are the main adaptations of fish to live in water?
Fins: dorsal, anal (to maintain upright position), pectoral, pelvic (for steering), caudal (is used to propel the fish forward)
Streamlined body: the head, trunk and tail merge to form a streamlined shape which helps in reducing water resistance.
Tail: it helps in changing direction and balance the body.
Gills: gills absorb oxygen dissolved in water.
Scales: prevent getting wounded from stones or fights with bigger fish.
System of muscles: used for movement.
Swim bladder: to maintain an appropriate level of buoyancy (to maintain appropriate depth).
Lateral line system: contain receptors that can detect water movement and enable fish to avoid obstacles.
What are the differences between cartilaginous and bony fish?
Bony fish
- bony skeleton
- have gill flaps (operculum)
- have a swim bladder
- most are oviparous species (produce young by means of eggs that are hatched after they have been laid)
- e.g. tuna, salmon, cod
Cartilaginous fish
- cartilaginous skeleton
- do not have gill flaps (no operculum)
- do not have a swim bladder
- most are ovoviviparous (produce young by means of eggs but eggs remain in the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch)
- e.g. sharks, skates, rays
Are seahorses considered fish?
Yes, they are.
Are seahorses fast swimmers?
No, seahorses swim very slowly.
Why are seahorses called so?
Seahorses are cold seahorses because they have long horse-like heads.
What are the 3 orders of amphibians?
Urodela
Anula
Apoda
How did amphibians adapt to life on land?
lungs (very primitive; they use them to breath but most of gas exchange happens through the skin)
moist skin - it provides gas exchange; prevents from drying up
muscular hind legs (frogs, for jumping) - legs emerge (but some species are better swimmers than walkers)
a tympanum (eardrum) for hearing
eyelids (for cleansing the eye from contaminants; to moisturize)
What groups are modern reptiles classified?
squamata: lizards and snakes
crocodilia: crocodiles, alligators, gharials, caimans
testudines: turtles (aquatic animals) and tortoises (live on land)
sphenodontia: tuatara
What does it mean when an animal is ectothermic?
It means that the internal temperature depends on the temperature of the environment.
What are reptile adaptations to live on land?
tough skin, covered in scales - prevents from drying up!
sense of smell
lungs to breath
well developed compare to lungs of amphibians
sense organs (ears and most of them have advanced eyesight)
they are amniotes
What does it mean when an animal is an amniote?
It means that it developed four fetal membranes.
What are the four fetal membranes of an amniote?
amnion - it covers the embryo and prevents it from drying up
allantois - it keeps wastes
chorion - it intermediates in gas exchange
yolk - food storage
What isn’t a bird adaptation to fly?
- hollowed bones (pneumatic bones) - hollows filled with air - it makes them lighter
- wings and feathers (different types e.g. rectrice on the tail, remex on the wings)
- compact and streamlined bodies
- complex muscle system - helps the bird to keep their level while flying
- beaks without teeth - they are lighter
- do not have bladder - makes them also lighter
- the fusion of many bones gives them the rigidity needed for flying
- complex muscle system - helps the bird to keep their level while flying
