16. Skeletal systems Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are the critical functions of the skeleton in animals?
Supports movement and locomotion, protects vital organs, stores and supplies minerals, enables specialized movements, stores elastic energy
Vital organs include the brain, heart, and lungs.
What is the primary composition of internal skeletons?
Bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments
Bones are mineralized calcium structures; cartilage is partially mineralized tissue.
What adaptations do skeletons show for flight?
Modified lightweight limb bones
Found in birds and bats.
What adaptations do skeletons show for climbing?
Prehensile tails and specialized claws
These adaptations are typical for arboreal life.
What adaptations do skeletons show for swimming?
Limbs adapted into flippers
These adaptations are common in aquatic environments.
What adaptations do skeletons show for running?
Various adaptations for speed vs. endurance
Adaptations differ based on the ecological niche.
What adaptations do skeletons show for digging?
Compact bodies and specialized limbs
These adaptations facilitate burrowing.
What adaptations do skeletons show for jumping?
Enhanced elastic energy storage in legs
This adaptation aids in powerful leaps.
What is a specialized adaptation of the scaly-foot snail?
Iron-sulfide shell for extreme environments
This snail lives in 750°F hydrothermal vents.
What specialized adaptation does the golden mole exhibit?
Ability to ‘swim’ through sand
This adaptation is crucial for its habitat.
What specialized feeding adaptation does a woodpecker have?
Fused skull to withstand repeated impacts
This adaptation is necessary for pecking wood.
What is a notable feature of the hero shrew?
Incredibly strong spine with interlocking vertebrae
This adaptation provides exceptional strength.
What adaptation allows the jerboa to move unpredictably?
Extremely long feet
This adaptation enhances agility.
What is a key aspect of human bipedalism?
Adaptation for efficient walking and potentially long-distance running
This adaptation is crucial for human locomotion.
How do skeletons provide evolutionary insights?
They are often preserved as fossils and reveal biomechanical solutions
Similar adaptations may appear in distantly related species.
What is an example of an evolutionary mismatch disease?
Diseases related to sedentary lifestyles
Our skeleton evolved for varied movement, not prolonged sitting.
What is the significance of developmental timing in skeletons?
Skeleton adapts during childhood/adolescence based on movement
This reflects the impact of physical activity on development.
What insights can studying axolotls provide?
Regenerative insights for medical applications
Axolotls can regenerate limbs.
What are biomimetic applications?
Military and engineering uses based on efficient natural designs
These applications mimic biological systems.
What is the goal of comparative genetics in the context of skeletal adaptations?
Understanding the genetic basis of adaptations
This includes adaptations like the jerboa’s long feet.
What do paleontological insights involve?
Reconstructing extinct animals’ lifestyles from skeletal remains
This helps in understanding past ecosystems.
