Vertebrate Test

Question 1

Vertebrates fall into the phylum ______________________________.

Answer 1

chordata

Question 1

What kingdom do vertebrates belong to?

Answer 1

class

Question 2

Lancelets and tunicates are classified as _______________________.

Answer 2

phylum chordata

Question 3

What are the six characteristics of vertebrates?

Answer 3

• Endoskeleton with a backbone for support of a dorsal nerve cord & muscle attachment
• Distinct skull and nervous tissue region
• Bilateral symmetry
• 2 pairs of jointed appendages
• Coelom-cavity within the body
• Closed circulatory system & chambered heart

Question 4

What are 3 characteristics of fish?

Answer 4

aquatic tetrapods with scales, gills, & 2 chambered hearts

Question 5

Name the 3 orders of fish and give their characteristics.

Answer 5

Class Agnathans: jawless fishes (hagfish, lampreys)
Class Chondrichthyes: cartilagenous fish (sharks, rays)
Class Osteichthyes: bony fish (mahi-mahi, tilapia, halibut, puffer fish, tetras, guppies)

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the hagfish and lampreys (class=Agnathans)?

Answer 6

• Jawless & finless
• Skeleton of cartilage
• Reproduce sexually
• Gills
• 2 Chambered Heart
• Oviparous-eggs are laid in a nest or in the ground and hatch

Question 7

The class Chondrichthyes contains sharks and rays. What are the characteristics of this class?

Answer 7

• Endoskeleton made of cartilage
• Paired fins
• Jaws
• 2 chambered heart
• Well-developed sense of sight and smell
• Lateral line system (for sensing pressure changes – vibrations - in water); whole body acts as an “ear
• Internal fertilization- deposit sperm in female reproductive tract

Question 8

The class Osteichthyes are one of the most successful groups on Earth. List the characteristics of organisms in this order. Give examples of organisms in this class.

Answer 8

• Endoskeleton made of bones
• Swim bladder
• Usually, external fertilization
• Lateral line system
• Scales different from those in sharks
• 2 chambered heart (all fish!)

Question 9

What are the characteristics of amphibians?

Answer 9

semiaquatic tetrapods with split lives & 3-chambered hearts

Question 10

Amphibians are semi aquatic tetrapods. What are the three major groups in this class and their characteristics?

Answer 10

Anura – “tailless ones” (frogs & toads)
Urodela – “tailed ones” (salamanders & newts)
Apoda – “legless ones” (caecilians)

Question 11

True or False. Aquatic tetrapods gave rise to the first amphibians, who probably came on land in search of food.

Answer 11

true

Question 12

What are the characteristics of the Class Amphibia?

Answer 12

(Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts)
- Ectotherms- must gain (or lose) heat from the environment to maintain body temperature
- Need H2O for breeding
- Metamorphosis (tadpole 🡪 frog)
- Gas exchange through moist skin & mouth; primitive balloon-like lungs
- External fertilization
- 3-chambered heart

Question 13

What are some of the physical characteristics of reptiles?

Answer 13

terrestrial amniote tetrapods with scales & lungs & 3 to 4 chambered hearts

Question 14

What are the major groups of reptiles?

Answer 14

Squamata – lizards and snakes
Testudines – turtles & tortoises
Crocodilia – alligators, crocodiles, and related species

Question 15

Description of reptiles

Answer 15

-Ectotherms – bask and hide to regulate temperature
- Scaly, waterproof skin
- Respire through lungs only
- Internal fertilization
- 3 or 4 chambered heart

Question 16

Why are reptiles considered to be ectotherms?

Answer 16

They are considered to be ecotherms because a lot of the reptiles and ampibians bask in the heat to regulate their temperature.

Question 17

What are the major groups of reptiles and what are some of their adaptations as predators?

Answer 17

Squamata (snakes, lizards): Jacobson’s organ – when a snake flicks its tongue it is collecting molecules that are then brought in to Jacobson’s organ for “processing”. Pits – many snakes have heat sensory organs on their head. Hollow fangs – with or without poison glands for capturing, holding, and killing prey. Muscles the length of the body allow it to move quickly and to strangling prey
Testudines (turtles. tortoises): their shell
Crocodilia: (alligators, crocodiles): Adapted for aquatic life with upturned nostrils and eyes on top of head

Question 18

Crocodiles and Alligators are most closely related to what other organisms?

Answer 18

feathered reptiles

Question 19

What are the physical characteristics of birds?

Answer 19

terrestrial amniotes tetrapods with feathers & lungs & 4 chambered hearts

Question 20

What are the groups of birds?

Answer 20

• Ratites – ostriches, emus, kiwis
• Passeriformes – perching birds – jays, sparrows, crows, etc.
• Aquatic birds – ducks, swans, geese
• Raptors – eagles, falcons, hawks
• Penguins

Question 21

Are birds endothermic or exothermic?

Answer 21

endothermic

Question 22

What adaptations help a bird to be able to fly?

Answer 22

• Hollow bones - make bird lightweight
• Front limbs modified into wings
• Air sacs to aid in breathing at high altitudes
• Keel – modified breastbone for muscle attachment

Question 23

What is a preen gland?

Answer 23

to keep their feathers from becoming saturated, impeding flight

Question 24

What are the physical characteristics of mamals?

Answer 24

terrestrial amniote tetrapods with lungs, hair and mammary glands & 4 chambered hearts

Question 25

What are the three major groups of mammals?

Answer 25

- Monotremes (lay eggs) – echidna and platypus - Marsupials – koala, kangaroo, opossum -- Placentals – humans, bears, tigers, giraffes, deer, pigs, dogs, cats, raccoons, squirrels, whales, walruses, manatees, etc.

Question 26

What are the classifying characteristics of the class mammalian?

Question 27

Describe the heart of the mammalian

Answer 27

4-chambered heart

Question 28

Describe the physical characteristics of the mammal?

Answer 28

- Endothermic – hair and layer of fat aid in conserving heat - Hair – keratinous protein that aids in insulation - Mammary glands – produce milk to feed offspring - 2 species of monotreme (mammals that lay eggs); oviparous-eggs are hatched after they are laid - Marsupials and placentals are viviparous-live birth - Diaphragm for increased respiration - 4-chambered heart - Jaw structure reflects diet - Inner ear contains 3 bones for improved hearing - Large brain; learn; Extended parental care

Question 29

Describe monotremes, marsupials, and placentals. What are some of their physical characteristics?

Answer 29

- Monotremes: Mammals that lay eggs, have hair, and produce milk with mammary glands. Mother produces milk which is excreted from glands on the abdomen and the babies lap up the milk or suck it off the fur of the mother - Marsupials: Embryo develops in uterus with a placenta. Immature fetus is born into a pouch called a marsupium. All marsupials live in Australia with the exception of the opossum, which can be found in the Americas. Placentals: Placental mammals develop in a uterus attached to a placenta until at an advanced stage of development. Widespread on earth – found in every major biome, including marine, arctic, and tundra.