Anatomy and Evolution Test Topics

• Anatomy/Evolution Test Topics.

Anatomical Directions

• Dorsal refers to the back or upper side.
• Ventral refers to the front or lower side.
• Anterior refers to the front.
• Posterior refers to the back.

Circulatory Systems

• Open circulatory systems pump blood into a hemocoel with the blood diffusing back to the circulatory system between cells.
• Closed circulatory systems have the blood closed at all times within vessels of different size and wall thickness.

Body Temperature Regulation

• Cold-blooded organisms (ectotherms) rely on external sources for body heat.
• Warm-blooded organisms (endotherms) generate their own body heat through metabolic processes.

Body Plans and Systems

• Bilateral symmetry is the property of being divisible into symmetrical halves on either side of a unique plane.
• The nervous system's purpose is to coordinate actions and transmit signals between different parts of the body.

Reproduction in the Animal Kingdom

• Sexual reproduction's purpose is to create genetic variation among offspring.

Organ Functions

• Esophagus transports food to the stomach.
• Intestines are responsible for nutrient absorption.
• Brain controls bodily functions and behavior.
• A 3-chambered heart has two atria and one ventricle, while a 4-chambered heart has two atria and two ventricles.
• Internal skeletons are endoskeletons, whereas external skeletons are exoskeletons.
• Testes produce sperm, and ovaries produce eggs.
• Nerves transmit electrical signals, while the spinal cord relays signals between the brain and body
• Kidneys filter waste from the blood, and lungs facilitate gas exchange.

Classification

• Taxonomy focuses on the classification and naming of organisms.
• Phylogeny examines the evolutionary history and relationships of organisms.
• Cladograms and dichotomous keys are classification tools used to identify and organize organisms based on shared characteristics.

Adaptations

• Physical adaptations are structural features that enhance survival.
• Behavioral adaptations are actions or responses that enhance survival.

Evolution and Selection

• Natural selection is the process where organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Natural selection is different from artificial selection, where humans select for specific traits.

Species and Speciation

• Species are groups of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
• Speciation is the process by which new species arise.
• Isolation leading to speciation promotes biodiversity.

Genetic Change

• Recombination and mutation are sources of genetic variation.

Evolutionary Evidence

• Homologous structures indicate common ancestry due to similar underlying anatomy.
• Vestigial traits are remnants of structures that had a function in ancestral species, providing evidence for evolution.

Population Dynamics

• Overproduction, competition, and variation are key factors driving natural selection.

Explore key concepts in anatomy and evolution. The test covers anatomical directions (dorsal, ventral, anterior, and posterior), circulatory systems (open and closed), and body temperature regulation (ectotherms and endotherms). It also includes body plans, the nervous system and reproduction in the animal kingdom.