15 Questions
What is the body covering of Class Reptilia?
Keratinized epidermal scales and bony dermal plates
How do crocodilians differ in terms of parental care compared to other reptiles?
They provide extensive parental care
What type of kidneys do reptiles have for water conservation?
Metanephric kidney excreting uric acid
What type of heart do crocodilians possess?
Four-chambered heart
How do reptiles respire?
Lungs filled by aspiration with no gills
What is the typical number of pairs of cranial nerves in the brain of Class Reptilia?
12 pairs of cranial nerves
Which group of reptiles is characterized by a skull with no openings in the temporal area behind the orbit?
Anapsida
What distinguishes diapsids from synapsids?
The number of openings in the skull behind each eye
What is a distinguishing feature of synapsids?
Presence of only one hole in each side of their skull
Which adaptation is common to all amniotes?
Amniotic egg with four extraembryonic membranes
What is the main function of the amnion in the amniotic egg?
Provision of cushioning for the embryo
Which order of reptiles includes crocodiles, alligators, and birds?
Crocodilia
In reptiles, which adaptation leads to water-conserving nitrogen excretion?
Thicker and more waterproof skin
$Reptiles$ are classified as tetrapods and amniotes. What does this mean?
$Reptiles$ have four legs and are animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane.
Which group includes lizards, snakes, and worm-lizards?
Squamata
Study Notes
Body Covering and Characteristics
- Class Reptilia has dry, scaly skin as its body covering.
Parental Care
- Crocodilians exhibit a high level of parental care, unlike other reptiles, which is characterized by guarding their eggs and young.
Kidneys and Water Conservation
- Reptiles possess metanephric kidneys, which are adapted for water conservation.
Heart Structure
- Crocodilians have a four-chambered heart.
Respiration
- Reptiles respire using lungs.
Cranial Nerves
- The typical number of pairs of cranial nerves in the brain of Class Reptilia is 12.
Skull Characteristics
- The group of reptiles characterized by a skull with no openings in the temporal area behind the orbit is anapsids.
Diapsids and Synapsids
- Diapsids are distinguished from synapsids by having two openings in the temporal area of the skull.
- A distinguishing feature of synapsids is the presence of one opening in the temporal area of the skull.
Amniotes
- A common adaptation to all amniotes is the presence of an amnion in the amniotic egg.
- The main function of the amnion is to provide a watery environment for the embryo to grow.
Order of Reptiles
- The order of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, and birds is Archosauria.
Nitrogen Excretion
- In reptiles, the adaptation that leads to water-conserving nitrogen excretion is urea.
Classification
- Reptiles are classified as tetrapods, meaning they have four limbs, and amniotes, meaning they lay eggs with an amnion.
- The group that includes lizards, snakes, and worm-lizards is Squamata.
Test your knowledge on the characteristics of Class Reptilia, including their body covering, embryonic membranes, and reproductive methods. This quiz covers essential concepts related to vertebrates and the phylum Chordata.
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