Kingdom Animalia Vertebrates

• What are the two main categories of animals?

  Invertebrates and vertebrates
• What defines an animal in the Animal Kingdom?

  Multicellular, heterotrophic, and eukaryotic
• What carbohydrate do animals store?

  Glycogen
• What developmental stage do animals have?

  Blastula stage
• What phylum do chordates belong to?

  Chordata
• What structures do chordates possess during their life cycle?

  Notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits
• What type of symmetry do chordates exhibit?

  Bilaterally symmetrical
• What is a notochord?

  A stiff rod of cartilage in chordates
• How does the notochord assist aquatic species?

  Helps them swim by flexing their tail
• What does the dorsal neural tube develop into in vertebrates?

  The spinal cord
• What are pharyngeal slits modified into in fish?

  Gills
• What is a post-anal tail?

  A muscular tail extending behind the anus
• What is the function of the endostyle in filter-feeding species?

  Produces mucus to gather food particles
• What are the evolutionary origins of tetrapods and amphibians?

  • Origin of tetrapods from sarcopterygian fish (Mid-Devonian, 400 mya)
  • Origin of living amphibians 'Lissamphibia' (Carboniferous, 300 mya)
• What are the subphyla of Phylum Chordata?

  1. Urochordata (tunicates and salps)
  2. Cephalochordata (lancelets)
  3. Vertebrata (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals)
• What is the larval stage of tunicates like?

  Looks like little tadpoles
• How do adult tunicates feed?

  Filter feed by sucking water
• What class do jawless vertebrates belong to?

  Agnatha
• What are the characteristics of Class Agnatha?

  Jawless, lack paired appendages
• What type of skeleton do Chondrichthyes have?

  Cartilaginous skeleton
• What is a swim bladder?

  Organ filled with oxygen and nitrogen
• What class do amphibians belong to?

  Amphibia
• What is a key adaptation of amphibians?

  Lungs with cutaneous respiration
• What class do reptiles belong to?

  Reptilia
• What is a characteristic of reptiles?

  Dry, scaly watertight skin
• What is the main feature of Class Aves?

  Modified forelimbs (wings)
• What is the feeding behavior of the Hoatzin?

  Ferments leaves in the crop
• What class do mammals belong to?

  Mammalia
• What is a defining characteristic of mammals?

  Presence of mammary glands
• What are the main characteristics of monotremes?

  • Egg-laying mammals
  • Produce milk
  • Only three known species
• What is the respiratory structure in mammals?

  Diaphragm and lungs
• What type of reproduction do mammals exhibit?

  Internal fertilization
• How do the adaptations of amphibians help them survive in their environment?

  Moist skin aids in respiration and hydration
• What adaptations do reptiles have for terrestrial life?

  Amniotic eggs and dry skin
• How do birds' adaptations facilitate flight?

  Light hollow bones and feathers
• What role do mammary glands play in mammalian reproduction?

  Provide milk to feed young
• How do the feeding strategies of the Hoatzin differ from typical birds?

  Ferments leaves instead of hunting
• What is the significance of the black mamba's venom?

  Contains neurotoxin and muscarinic toxins
• How do the adaptations of the horned lizard help it survive predation?

  Squirts blood to distract predators
• What adaptations do Surinam toads exhibit for reproduction?

  Embed spawn in back for protection