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Questions and Answers
What is the main characteristic that distinguishes vertebrate animals from invertebrates?
What is the term for the internal skeleton found in vertebrates?
How are fish classified into different groups?
What is the name of the group that includes animals like dolphins and dogs?
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How many classes of vertebrate animals are there?
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What is a characteristic shared by cartilage fish, such as sharks and rays?
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What is a characteristic of amphibians?
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What is a characteristic of reptiles?
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What is a characteristic of birds?
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What is a characteristic of mammals?
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What is a characteristic of mammals that allows them to breathe?
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What is produced by a mother's mammary glands?
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What is a characteristic of mammals that helps them regulate their body temperature?
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What is a characteristic that mammals have in common with other animals?
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What is unique about the teeth of mammals?
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Study Notes
Vertebrates Overview
- Animals are classified into vertebrates (animals with a spine) and invertebrates (animals without a spine)
- Vertebrate animals are subdivided into five classes: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
- Vertebrates have a vertebral column (spine) with a cavity in which nerve cells are found
- Their skeletons are made of bone, and they have an endoskeleton
Fish
- Fish occur in various shapes, sizes, and colors
- Fish are classified into two groups: cartilaginous fish (with skeletons made of cartilage) and bony fish (with skeletons made of bone)
- Examples of cartilaginous fish include sharks, sand sharks, and arrow tails
- Characteristics of fish:
- Cold-blooded (ectothermic)
- Breathe through gills
- Body is covered with scales
- Swim with fins
- Lay eggs in water and live in water
- Have a vertebrate column
Amphibians
- Amphibians have "both lives" (live in water and on land)
- Include salamanders, water salamanders, worm salamanders, and frogs
- Young larvae are in water, and adults are near water
- Larvae need gills to exchange gas (breathe) in water
- Adults need lungs to breathe on land
- Characteristics of amphibians:
- Live on land and in water
- Cold-blooded (ectothermic)
- Moist skin
- Lay eggs in water
- Mature amphibians develop lungs
Reptiles
- Reptiles have been surviving on Earth for millions of years
- First reptiles lived 310-320 million years ago, including dinosaurs
- Most reptiles live on land, but some spend large parts of their life in water
- Characteristics of reptiles:
- Covered with dry scales
- Ectothermic (cold-blooded)
- Breathe through their lungs
- Lay eggs on dry land
- Eggs are covered with a leathery or hard shell
- Vertebrates
- Four groups: crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and tortoises
Birds
- Characteristics of birds:
- Endothermic (warm-blooded)
- Vertebrates
- Body covered with feathers
- Claws are covered in scales
- Bones are light and hollow
- Wings to fly
- Lay eggs
- Lungs for breathing
Mammals
- Mammals are vertebrates, which means they have a vertebrate column
- Almost all mammals are endothermic (warm-blooded)
- Mammals give birth to live young and produce milk for their young
- Hair on their bodies varies greatly between different mammals
- Characteristics of mammals:
- Mammals are vertebrates, meaning they have a vertebrate column
- Almost all mammals are endothermic
- Mammals give birth to living young
- The young drink milk produced by the mother's mammary glands
- Mammals have hair on their bodies
- Mammals have teeth, which differ in different parts of the mouth
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Description
Learn about the classification of vertebrate animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, based on their distinguishing features.
