aves/mammalia

Question 1

What are the two major lineages of living birds?

Answer 1

paleognaths and neognaths

Question 2

What is the difference between paleognaths and neognaths?

Answer 2

paleognaths are typically larger and flightless, neognaths are everything else

Question 3

What are some general characteristics of birds?

Answer 3

beak, feathers, efficient respiratory and circulatory systems, homeothermic, lightweight skeleton, well developed brain, complex behaviors

Question 4

Describe the feathers of birds.

Answer 4

feathers are homologous with scales of reptiles, they are composed of keratin and periodically molted, different types for different functions

Question 5

What is the function of down feathers?

Answer 5

trap air for insulation

Question 6

What is the function of contour feathers?

Answer 6

barbed and aid in flight. also for protection and coloring

Question 7

Describe how the skeleton of birds has been adapted for flight.

Answer 7

lightweight, pneumatized bone and fusion of elements to maintain rigidity, large keel provides attachment site for large flying muscles

Question 8

What is the function of the synsacrum bone in birds?

Answer 8

it supports bearing the bird’s weight on its two legs

Question 9

What is the function of the pygostyle bone in birds?

Answer 9

supports the tail feathers

Question 10

What is the function of the keel in birds?

Answer 10

attachment site for the large muscles that are used during flight

Question 11

What is the purpose for the fused ankle bones in birds?

Answer 11

helps absorb shock during landing

Question 12

What is the function of the pelvic girdle in birds?

Answer 12

modified to shift the weight of the bird forward

Question 13

Describe the respiratory system of birds.

Answer 13

efficient with paired lungs and many air sacs that provide unidirectional air flow. air sacs also function as a cooling system as birds do not have sweat glands

Question 14

How are the hearts of birds different than that of other animals of similar size?

Answer 14

it is very large to allow the pumping of large quantities of oxygen and nutrients

Question 15

What is the function of the crop in birds?

Answer 15

stores food and secretes crop milk that can be fed to young

Question 16

What is the function of the gizzard in birds?

Answer 16

grinds up food

Question 17

What structure connects the crop and gizzard in birds?

Answer 17

the proventriculus

Question 18

Describe the cloaca of birds.

Answer 18

the cloaca serves urinary, digestive, and reproductive functions

Question 19

Where are salt glands located in birds, and what is their function?

Answer 19

the salt glands are located in the orbits of their eyes and excrete salt

Question 20

What is the function of the uropygial gland?

Answer 20

secretes a mixture of waxes and lipids that coats the feathers preventing moisture absorption to create a waterproof barrier

Question 21

How many chambers does the heart of a bird have?

Answer 21

4

Question 22

How many chambers does the heart of a mammal have?

Answer 22

4

Question 23

What are some characteristics of mammals?

Answer 23

possess mammary glands that produce milk for feeding to their young, endothermic and have hair on their bodies

Question 24

What muscle is used for respiration in mammals?

Answer 24

diaphragm

Question 25

What organ produces bile in mammals?

Answer 25

liver

Question 26

What organ produces digestive enzymes in mammals?

Answer 26

pancreas

Question 27

What organ filters blood and replaces damaged blood cells in mammals?

Answer 27

spleen

Question 28

What organ removes waste and extra fluids from the body in mammals?

Answer 28

kidneys

Question 29

What are the functions of the adrenal glands?

Answer 29

produce hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, immune function, and stress

Question 30

How can you tell if a rat is male?

Answer 30

male rats will have a very large scrotum that houses and protects the testes

Question 31

How can you tell if a rat is female?

Answer 31

female rats will have paired ovaries as well as separate urinary and genital openings

Question 32

What is unique about the circulatory system of birds and mammals?

Answer 32

they have 4 chambered hearts and they have a double circuit system. a double circuit system is composed of a pulmonary circuit and a systemic circuit. the pulmonary circuit travels between the heart and lungs, while the systemic circuit travels between the heart and the body.