Animal Classes Flashcards

Phylum Chordata

• Defined by the presence of a spine or notochord.

Class Mammalia

• Characterized by the presence of hair made of keratin.
• Do not lay eggs.

Class Amphibia

• Life cycle includes larvae that are aquatic with gills.
• Adults possess lungs and glandular skin; semi-terrestrial lifestyle.
• Typically have four legs.

Class Reptilia

• Cold-blooded organisms that lay eggs.
• Have scales; includes species like snakes and alligators.

Class Aves

• Distinguished by wings and feathers.
• All members lay eggs.

Class Osteichthyes

• Known as bony fish; skeleton made of bone.
• Breathe through gills.

Phylum Porifera

• Composed of simple organisms that filter water through pores.

Phylum Cnidaria

• Contains stinging cells; most are carnivorous.
• Life cycle resembles that of plants.

Phylum Platyhelminthes

• Soft-bodied, exhibiting bilateral symmetry.

Phylum Annelida

• Consists of invertebrates with segmented bodies.
• Lack lungs.

Phylum Mollusca

• Exhibit bilateral symmetry; bodies have more than two cell layers.
• Structures lack body cavities.

Class Bivalve (Mollusca)

• Includes clams and oysters; characterized by hinge at the back.
• Size and teeth help determine species.

Class Gastropoda (Mollusca)

• Encompasses snails and slugs.

Class Cephalopoda (Mollusca)

• Known for being predatory with symmetrical bodies and tentacles.
• Commonly found in saltwater; includes octopuses and squids.

Phylum Arthropoda

• Comprises spiders, crabs, lobsters, scorpions, and insects.
• Characterized by segmented bodies with a chitin exoskeleton and jointed legs.

Class Insecta (Arthropoda)

• Three-segment body plan and possesses three pairs of legs.

Class Arachnida (Arthropoda)

• Cold-blooded with eight jointed legs; includes spiders.

Class Crustacea (Arthropoda)

• Comprised of crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and crayfish.
• Features an invertebrate segmented body.

Phylum Echinodermata

• Includes starfish; exhibits radial symmetry.
• Lacks a heart, brain, and eyes.

Class Chilopoda (Arthropoda)

• Characterized by a single pair of elongated legs; resembles insects.
• Commonly known as centipedes.

Class Echinoidea (Echinodermata)

• Features tightly interlocking plate skeleton; includes sand dollars.

Class Asteroidea (Echinodermata)

• Star-shaped body plan centered around a central disk.

Class Holothuroidea (Echinodermata)

• Possesses arms with branched tentacles and is bilaterally symmetrical; commonly known as sea cucumbers.

Class Chondrichthyes

• Known as cartilage fish, including sharks and rays.