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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the diaphragm in mammals?
What is the primary function of the diaphragm in mammals?
- To aid in digestion
- To regulate body temperature
- To help ventilate the lungs (correct)
- To produce milk for offspring
Which characteristic is shared by both birds and mammals?
Which characteristic is shared by both birds and mammals?
- Gill respiration
- Egg-laying
- Scaly skin
- Endothermy (correct)
What is a unique characteristic of mammalian teeth?
What is a unique characteristic of mammalian teeth?
- They are all the same size and shape
- They are only used for defense
- They are only found in the upper jaw
- They are adapted for chewing a variety of foods (correct)
What is the primary function of mammary glands in mammals?
What is the primary function of mammary glands in mammals?
What adaptation do perching birds have to help them rest?
What adaptation do perching birds have to help them rest?
What is a benefit of the extended parental care in mammals and birds?
What is a benefit of the extended parental care in mammals and birds?
What likely adaptation allowed early vertebrates to become scavengers and predators?
What likely adaptation allowed early vertebrates to become scavengers and predators?
What is a key characteristic of jawless vertebrates, such as lampreys and hagfishes?
What is a key characteristic of jawless vertebrates, such as lampreys and hagfishes?
In what part of the body did mineralization likely begin in vertebrates?
In what part of the body did mineralization likely begin in vertebrates?
What is a characteristic of gnathostomes, a group of vertebrates?
What is a characteristic of gnathostomes, a group of vertebrates?
What likely led to the diversification of vertebrates into more derived lineages?
What likely led to the diversification of vertebrates into more derived lineages?
What is a difference between lampreys and conodonts in terms of feeding method?
What is a difference between lampreys and conodonts in terms of feeding method?
What is the primary function of the jaws in gnathostomes?
What is the primary function of the jaws in gnathostomes?
Which of the following groups of organisms is characterized by the presence of jaws?
Which of the following groups of organisms is characterized by the presence of jaws?
What is the name of the placoderm that could exert a force of 560 kg/cm2 at the tip of its jaws?
What is the name of the placoderm that could exert a force of 560 kg/cm2 at the tip of its jaws?
According to one hypothesis, what is the origin of the skeletal rods that supported the evolution of gnathostome jaws?
According to one hypothesis, what is the origin of the skeletal rods that supported the evolution of gnathostome jaws?
What is the characteristic that distinguishes gnathostomes from jawless armored vertebrates?
What is the characteristic that distinguishes gnathostomes from jawless armored vertebrates?
Which of the following is an example of a jawless armored vertebrate?
Which of the following is an example of a jawless armored vertebrate?
What is the term for the series of bones that make up the backbone?
What is the term for the series of bones that make up the backbone?
When did one lineage of vertebrates colonize land?
When did one lineage of vertebrates colonize land?
What is the clade that chordates belong to?
What is the clade that chordates belong to?
What is a characteristic that all chordates share?
What is a characteristic that all chordates share?
What is the term for the animals that include vertebrates and two groups of invertebrates?
What is the term for the animals that include vertebrates and two groups of invertebrates?
What is a characteristic of chordates that may only be present during embryonic development?
What is a characteristic of chordates that may only be present during embryonic development?
What is the primary function of pharyngeal slits or clefts in vertebrates?
What is the primary function of pharyngeal slits or clefts in vertebrates?
What is the characteristic that distinguishes lancelets from other chordates?
What is the characteristic that distinguishes lancelets from other chordates?
What is the function of the tail in many aquatic chordates?
What is the function of the tail in many aquatic chordates?
What is a characteristic shared by all chordates?
What is a characteristic shared by all chordates?
What is unique to vertebrates?
What is unique to vertebrates?
What is the function of vertebrae in vertebrates?
What is the function of vertebrae in vertebrates?
Study Notes
Vertebrates
- Get their name from vertebrae, the series of bones that make up the backbone
- One lineage of vertebrates colonized land 365 million years ago, giving rise to modern amphibians, reptiles (including birds), and mammals
Chordates
- Are bilaterian animals that belong to the clade of animals known as Deuterostomia
- Compromise all vertebrates and two groups of invertebrates, the urochordates and cephalochordates
- Share a set of derived characters, some of which are only present during embryonic development
- Have four key characteristics:
- Notochord: a longitudinal, flexible rod between the digestive tube and nerve cord that provides skeletal support
- Dorsal, hollow nerve cord: develops from a plate of ectoderm that rolls into a tube dorsal to the notochord and becomes the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord)
- Pharyngeal slits or clefts: grooves in the pharynx that develop into slits that open to the outside of the body and function in suspension-feeding, gas exchange, and development of parts of the ear, head, and neck
- Muscular, post-anal tail: contains skeletal elements and muscles, providing propelling force in many aquatic species
Lancelets and Tunicates
- Lancelets are marine suspension feeders that retain characteristics of the chordate body plan as adults
- Ancestral chordates may have resembled lancelets
- Sequencing of the tunicate genome indicates that genes associated with the heart and thyroid are common to all chordates, while genes associated with transmission of nerve impulses are unique to vertebrates
Vertebrate Characteristics
- Skeletal system and complex nervous system have allowed vertebrates to become efficient at two essential tasks
- Vertebrae enclose a spinal cord
- An elaborate skull has developed
- Fin rays have developed in aquatic forms
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Explore the adaptations of the greater flamingo and the great tit, and learn about the distinctive characteristics of mammals.
