Chapter 18

Question 1

Amphibian

Answer 1

A cold-blooded vertebrate with aquatic, gill-breathing larval stage that is typically followed by a terrestrial, lung-breathing adult stage.

Question 2

Amplexus

Answer 2

The mating position in which some amphibians, such as frogs, clasp the female from behind. As she releases eggs, the male fertilizes them by expelling sperm.

Question 3

Anthelmintic

Answer 3

An antiparasitic drug that expels parasites from the body without causing significant damage to the host. (From Amphibians Card Deck)

Question 4

Army

Answer 4

A group of frogs.

Question 5

Biphasic

Answer 5

Having two life cycles (From Amphibians Card Deck)

Question 6

Brumation

Answer 6

A state of reduced activity, slow body functions, or sluggishness that an amphibian or reptile enters during cold weather.

Question 7

Buccal cavity

Answer 7

A large cavity in the throat of amphibians (with lungs) that allows air into the cavity, which is then pushed into the lungs for gas exchange to take place.

Question 8

Caecilian

Answer 8

A burrowing, wormlike amphibian with poorly developed eyes and no limbs.

Question 9

Congress

Answer 9

A group of salamanders. Also called a herd.

Question 10

Cutaneous respiration

Answer 10

An amphibian’s method of breathing in which the animal obtains oxygen from the air or water through its skin.

Question 11

Desiccation

Answer 11

The process of removing moisture from something that normally contains moisture, such as an animal’s body.

Question 12

Dichromatism

Answer 12

Differences in color patterns between the male and female members of a species.

Question 13

Ectothermic

Answer 13

An animal that cannot regulate its own body temperature and uses the environment to change its body temperature.

Question 14

Eft

Answer 14

A salamander in larval stage.

Question 15

Estivation

Answer 15

A type of prolonged sleep that prevents dehydration and overheating. The state occurs when temperatures rise above a rodent’s heat threshold. A period of inactivity that is induced by heat and dryness.

Question 16

Herd

Answer 16

A group of guinea pigs. Also called a muddle. A group of chinchillas. A group of salamanders, Also called a congress.

Question 17

Herpetology

Answer 17

The study of reptiles and amphibians.

Question 18

Hibernation

Answer 18

A severe state of inactivity and slowed metabolism.

Question 19

Hygrometer

Answer 19

An instrument used to measure humidity.

Question 20

Lateral line

Answer 20

A series of neuromast cells along the sided of an amphibian or fish that help it detect changes in water movement and alert it to predators or prey.

Question 21

Light pollution

Answer 21

The presence of artificial light at nighttime that interferes with visual observations and the normal cycles of some amphibians.

Question 22

Metamorphosis

Answer 22

A set of developmental stages in which the organism transforms from an immature form to an adult in two or more distinct stages.

Question 23

Neoteny

Answer 23

The retention of larval characteristics into adulthood.

Question 24

Nuptial pads

Answer 24

Thickened patches of skin on a frog’s thumbs that are used during amplexus.

Question 25

Olfactory system

Answer 25

The sensory system that controls the sense that is used in species recognition, courtship, and recognizing territory.

Question 26

Operculum

Answer 26

A cover that protects an animal's gills, such as on a salamander or fish.

Question 27

Oviparous

Answer 27

Animals whose young are hatched after they have been laid. Oviparous amphibians lay eggs that are fertilized outside the body and hatch into larvae.

Question 28

Ovoviviparous

Answer 28

Animals that have eggs develop and hatch inside the uterus and are then born live. Some ovoviviparous amphibians have internal fertilization, give birth to larvae, which then go through additional metamorphosis outside the mother's body.

Question 29

Parotoid gland

Answer 29

An external skin gland on amphibians that may be used to release toxins.

Question 30

Poikilotherm

Answer 30

An animal that is dependent on its environment for its metabolism and temperature regulation.

Question 31

Preferred optimal temperature zone (POTZ)

Answer 31

The range of temperature in which an amphibian is comfortable and that provides it with the optimal metabolism.

Question 32

Sexually dimorphic

Answer 32

The males and females of a species have different physical features, such as when the male is larger or has brighter coloring than the female.

Question 33

Spawn

Answer 33

Unfertilized eggs released by female fish. To deposit or fertilize eggs.

Question 34

Spermatophore

Answer 34

A mass, or packet, containing spermatozoa that is released by a male amphibian and transferred to the female's reproductive tract through the cloaca. A packet of sperm that a male fish inserts into the female's vent.

Question 35

Systemic

Answer 35

When something foreign, such as bacteria, enters the circulatory system.

Question 36

Tadpole

Answer 36

A young newt, frog, or toad.

Question 37

Tympanum

Answer 37

An external ear drum on frogs and toads.

Question 38

Vivarium

Answer 38

A terrarium designed to provide a living environment for an amphibian that mimics its natural environment.

Question 39

Viviparous

Answer 39

Animals that give birth to live young

Question 40

Vomeronasal organ

Answer 40

A patch of sensory cells in the nasal chamber of an amphibian or reptile that detects moisture-borne odor particles, including pheromones. A sensory organ located in the roof of a feline's mouth that contains receptor cells that obtain chemical information from odors. Also called Jacobson's organ.

Question 41

Vomeronasal system

Answer 41

A sensory system that works with the olfactory system to obtain chemical information from airborne odor particles.

Question 42

Ranidaphobia

Answer 42

Fear of frogs

Question 43

Batrachophobia

Answer 43

Fear of amphibians