Lesson 1: Appearances and Anatomy - Vocabulary

Question 1

Define:

Paleontology

Answer 1

The science of prehistoric life

Question 2

Define:

Fossil

Answer 2

Remains, impressions, or other evidence of ancient life

Question 3

Define:

Adaptation

Answer 3

An evolved trait that serves a specific function

Question 4

Define:

Vertebrates

Answer 4

A group of animals that possess vertebrae

Question 5

Define:

Vertebrata

Answer 5

A group of animals that possess vertebrae

Question 6

Define:

Vertebrae

Answer 6

Bones that connect to form the spinal column; commonly called “back bones”

Question 7

Define:

Vertebral column

Answer 7

The series of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord; the spinal column

Question 8

Define:

Invertebrates

Answer 8

Animals that lack vertebrae

Question 9

Define:

Braincase

Answer 9

Part of the skull that encloses the brain

Question 10

Define:

Nares

Answer 10

Holes in the skull through which the nasal passages run

Question 11

Define:

Orbits

Answer 11

Eye sockets

Question 12

Define:

Fenestrae

Answer 12

Openings in the skull that do not house a major sensory organ

Question 13

Define:

Laterotemporal fenestra

Answer 13

Paired fenestra on the side of the skull, behind the orbit

Question 14

Define:

Supratemporal fenestra

Answer 14

Fenestra on the top of the skull; found in diapsids

Question 15

Define:

Antorbital fenestra

Answer 15

Opening in the skull in front of the orbits; characteristic of archosaurs

Question 16

Define:

Centrum

Answer 16

The major part of a vertebra, exclusive of the bases of the neural arch

Question 17

Define:

Neural arch

Answer 17

A bony or cartilaginous Y-shaped arch that projects from the posterior side of a vertebral body and encloses the spinal cord

Question 18

Define:

Neural canal

Answer 18

The opening in each vertebra,
through which the spinal nerves run

Question 19

Define:

Vertebral processes

Answer 19

Bony projections that extend from the vertebral arch of each vertebra

Question 20

Define:

Transverse processes

Answer 20

Vertebral processes that extend laterally from each vertebra in the spine, providing attachment points for muscles and ligaments

Question 21

Define:

Spinous processes

Answer 21

Vertebral processes that extend backward from the neural arch of a vertebra, providing attachment points for muscles and ligaments that help stabilize and move the spinal column

Question 22

Define:

Cervical vertebrae

Answer 22

Vertebrae in the neck

Question 23

Define:

Dorsal vertebrae

Answer 23

Vertebrae in the back

Question 24

Define:

Sacral vertebrae

Answer 24

Vertebrae in the sacrum/pelvis