Biology Quiz on Reproduction and Structures

Study Notes

Unique hydraulic system in echinoderms, specifically starfish, used for locomotion, feeding, and respiration.
Composed of a network of fluid-filled canals that operate through water pressure.
Key structures include the madreporite (water entry), stone canal, ring canal, radial canals, and tube feet.
Tube feet function through hydraulic pressure, allowing for attachment to surfaces and movement.
Essential for feeding mechanisms, as tube feet assist in prying open prey like bivalves.

Pheretima, commonly known as earthworms, possess both male and female reproductive organs (hermaphroditic).
Male organs include testes and seminal vesicles, while female organs consist of ovaries and spermathecae.
Fertilization occurs via copulation, after which a clitelum secretes a cocoon for egg deposition.
Allows for genetic diversity through exchange of sperm between individuals.

Composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
Functions as a selective barrier regulating the entry and exit of substances.
Integral proteins serve as channels or receptors essential for cell communication and transport.
Structure enables fluidity, crucial for cell signaling and interaction with the environment.

A type of asexual reproduction where an egg develops into an organism without fertilization.
Common in some insects, reptiles, and plants, allowing for rapid population increase.
Advantages include reproduction in the absence of mates and the ability to colonize new environments quickly.
Genetic diversity might be limited compared to sexual reproduction.

A key process during meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments of genetic material.
Increases genetic diversity by creating new combinations of alleles in gametes.
Essential for evolution, as it enhances adaptability and survival of species in changing environments.

Variation refers to the differences among individuals within a species.
Can be genetic (stemming from mutations and recombination) or environmental (influenced by habitat and conditions).
Promotes adaptability and survival by providing a range of traits for natural selection.

A developmental stage in the life cycle of starfish, emerging from the fertilized egg.
Characterized by a bilateral symmetry and arms that elongate into a swimming form.
Important for dispersal in marine habitats, allowing for colonization of new areas.

The occurrence of different forms or morphs within a species.
Common in insects and animals, such as variations in coloration, size, and behavior.
Enhances survival by enabling species to adapt to diverse environments.

A respiratory structure found in some arachnids, such as spiders.
Composed of stacked layers (like pages of a book) that increase surface area for gas exchange.
Allows efficient oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide release in terrestrial environments, enhancing survival.