Tetrapods and amphibians Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is a tetrapod?
A tetrapod is a type of animal that has four limbs or evolved from ancestors that had four limbs.
This includes animals like amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
What are some adaptations tetrapods have to life on land?
- Lungs for breathing air
- Limbs for movement on land
- Stronger skeletons to support body weight without water
- Skin that helps prevent water loss
- Changes in sensory organs like eyes and ears adapted for seeing and hearing in air
Amphibians still need moisture despite their adaptations.
How do tetrapod adaptations differ from bony fish?
Bony fish have gills for breathing underwater and fins for swimming.
Tetrapods developed lungs and limbs to move and breathe on land, plus stronger bones and muscles to deal with gravity.
What environmental conditions are suitable for amphibians?
Amphibians need moist or freshwater environments.
These conditions are not common in ocean or coastal (salty) habitats.
Are amphibians commonly found in salty environments?
No, amphibians generally avoid salty environments.
Why is the term ‘double-life’ appropriate for amphibians?
‘Double-life’ fits because amphibians live both in water and on land.
What is the life cycle of amphibians?
Amphibians usually start life as aquatic larvae (like tadpoles) with gills, then undergo metamorphosis to become air-breathing adults that live on land.
Describe some important adaptations specific to amphibians.
- Moist, permeable skin for breathing (cutaneous respiration)
- Ability to absorb water through their skin
- Eggs laid in water or damp places
- Webbed feet or strong legs for swimming and jumping
- Metamorphosis from a larval to an adult form
What are courtship behaviors?
Courtship behaviors are actions animals perform to attract a mate.
What might courtship behaviors include in amphibians?
- Sounds (like frog calls)
- Movements
- Physical displays that signal readiness to reproduce
