Animal Form and Function Quiz

Animal Form and Function

• Anatomy is the biological form of an organism
• Physiology is the biological functions an organism performs
• Form and function are closely related
• Size and shape affect how an animal interacts with its environment

Diverse Forms, Common Challenges

• Black-tailed Jackrabbits live in hot climates, while White-tailed Jackrabbits do not

Divergent and Convergent Evolution

• Divergent evolution occurs when two species emerge from the same common ancestor
• Convergent evolution results in unrelated species evolving similar structures and traits for the same function

Exchange with the Environment

• Nutrients, waste products, and gases must exchange across cell membranes
• The rate of exchange is proportional to the surface area of a cell
• The amount of exchange material is proportional to a cell's volume
• Surface area and volume increase faster than length as an animal grows

Exchange with the Environment (Single-celled organisms)

• Single-celled organisms in water have sufficient surface area to carry out all necessary exchanges
• Multicellular organisms, with saclike body plans, have body walls only two cells thick for efficient material diffusion

Exchange with the Environment (Large, Complex Body)

• Large, complex bodies help animals maintain a stable internal environment

Tissues

• Most animals are composed of cells organized into tissues with different functions
• Tissues consist of a group of similar cells and intercellular material
• Histology is the study of tissue types and functions

Tissue Classification

• Tissues can be classified by origin (ectodermal, endodermal, mesodermal)
• Tissues can be classified by cell composition (epithelial, endothelial, stroma, connective)
• Tissues can be classified by organ system (e.g., nervous tissue)
• Tissues can be classified by function (e.g., growth, repair, coordination, support, movement)

Epithelial Tissue

• Epithelial tissue covers the body's exterior and lines internal organs and cavities
• Epithelial cells are closely joined
• Shapes of epithelial cells include cuboidal, columnar, and squamous
• Arrangements of cells can be simple (single layer), stratified (multiple layers), or pseudostratified (appears layered but is single)

Connective Tissue

• Connective tissue binds and supports other tissues
• The matrix of connective tissue consists of fibres in a liquid, jelly-like, or solid form
• Six major types of connective tissue:
  • Loose connective tissue binds epithelium to underlying tissues and supports organs
  • Fibrous connective tissue found in tendons and ligaments
  • Adipose tissue stores fat for insulation and fuel
  • Blood is composed of cells and cell fragments in plasma
  • Bone forms the skeleton
  • Cartilage is a strong, flexible support material

Muscle Tissue

• Muscle tissue is responsible for body movement
• Muscle cells contain filaments of actin and myosin proteins
• Three types of muscle tissue in vertebrates:
  • Skeletal muscle is responsible for voluntary movement
  • Smooth muscle is responsible for involuntary body activities
  • Cardiac muscle is responsible for heart contraction

Nervous Tissue

• Nervous tissue receives, processes, and transmits information
• Nervous tissue contains neurons (transmit nerve impulses) and glial cells (support cells)

Organ Systems in Mammals

• Organ systems in mammals perform specific functions
• Endocrine system: communication between cells using hormones
• Nervous system: communication between cells using electrical signals and neurotransmitters
• Musculoskeletal system: support, voluntary movement, and facial expressions
• Cardiovascular system: transport of molecules throughout the body
• Respiratory system: exchange of gases (O2 and CO2)
• Urinary system: filtration of blood to regulate acidity, volume, ion concentration and removing wastes
• Gastrointestinal system: breakdown and absorption of food
• Reproductive system: reproduction
• Immune system: defense against pathogens and abnormal cells
• Integumentary system: protection from the external environment

Test your knowledge on the relationship between anatomy and physiology in animals. This quiz covers key concepts including divergent and convergent evolution, and the environmental exchanges that occur at the cellular level. Challenge yourself to understand how size and shape impact interactions with the environment.