Vertebrates

Question 0

Define vertebrae

Answer 0

The small bones that make up the backbone and protect the spinal chord

Question 1

Define notochord

Answer 1

Flexible, supporting rod that runs along the dorsal surface of the body and is found in all chordates at some point in their development

Question 2

Define ectotherm

Answer 2

Animal that cannot maintain a constant body temperature/cold blooded

Question 3

Define endotherm

Answer 3

Animal that can maintain a constant body temperature/warm blooded

Question 4

Endoskeleton

Answer 4

A skeleton on the inside of the animal that provides support and protection of internal organs

Question 5

Exoskeleton

Answer 5

A skeleton on the outside of the animal that provides support and protection of internal organs

Question 6

Swim bladder

Answer 6

An internal gas-filled organ that helps a bony fish stabilize its body at different water depths. They can maintain buoyancy and position with less effort

Question 7

Placenta

Answer 7

An organ in placental mammals through which nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and wastes are exchanged between baby and mother

Question 8

Marsupial

Answer 8

Mammals of which the females have a pouch (the marsupium) containing the teats where the young are fed and carried ex) Koala bear, kangaroo

Question 9

Monotreme

Answer 9

A group of mammals that have hair and mammary glands but reproduce by laying eggs ex0 duck-billed platypus, echidna

Question 10

Archaeopteryx

Answer 10

Seen as a “missing link” between reptiles and birds. One of the earth’s first birds with feathers. Probably glided between tree tops

Question 11

Diaphragm

Answer 11

Large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that is critical for breathing

Question 12

Alveoli/air sacs

Answer 12

The part of the lungs where the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen takes place - they increase the surface area for gas exchange and aid in buoyancy for birds

Question 13

Characteristics of phylum Chordata:

Answer 13

• have a notochord
• hollow dorsal nerve tube
• gill slits (pharyngeal slits)
• tail that extends past the anus

Question 14

Subphylum vertebrata characteristics:

Answer 14

• bilateral symmetry
• coelom
• have vertebrae-hollow, cartilaginous, or bony structures that surrounds and protects the dorsal nerve chord
• endoskeleton
• large brain protected by a skull
• complex heart, closed circulatory system
• 1 or 2 pairs of appendages
• gills or lungs for breathing
• special outer covering = “skin” (fur, scales, fat, hair…)

Question 15

Ecological roles of vertebrates:

Answer 15

• food source
• control animal and plant populations
• pollinators (birds,bats)
• seed dispersal
• aerate soil (moles,squirrels)
• create ponds (beavers)

Question 16

Special features of flight found in aves:

Answer 16

• hollow bones-strong but light
• excretes uric acid (solid), not urine, so this decreases the amount of water and no bladder needed (keeps bird light)
• elongated wing-like hand
• alveoli (air sacs) make the bird more buoyant and allow for more efficient gas exchange (C02 and O2)
• large muscles in the chest provide power to the wings for flight
• ovaries and testes are reduced when it is not breeding season
• feathers for flight

Question 17

Advantages of an endoskeleton:

Answer 17

1. Grows with the animal (not molted)
2. Energy is not required to grow an entire new skeleton (just add a little bit)
3. Allows the animal to have more flexibility and movement at joints and better use of muscles
4. Allows animals to be faster and larger (an exoskeleton is heavy and cumbersome)