Chordata Phylum: Amphibia Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are tetrapods?

Four-limbed vertebrates (correct)

Fishes

Invertebrates

Reptiles

What is external fertilization?

The process by which the female lays eggs and the male fertilizes them outside of the female's body.

What is the head of an animal?

The front or upper part of the body, typically containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.

What are nares?

Openings into the nasal cavity in the head of a vertebrate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of the frog's tongue?

Catching and eating prey. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tympanic membrane?

The membrane that separates the outer and middle ear. Signup and view all the answers

What does the nictitating membrane do?

It protects the eye and allows vision underwater. Signup and view all the answers

What is the trunk in relation to a frog?

The central part, to which the head and limbs are attached. Signup and view all the answers

What are forelimbs?

The front legs of a frog. Signup and view all the answers

What are hindlimbs?

The back legs of a frog. Signup and view all the answers

What is the axial skeleton?

The portion of the skeleton that includes the skull, rib cage, and vertebral column. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appendicular skeleton?

The portion of the skeleton that attaches to the axial skeleton and includes the limbs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the urostyle?

A bone connecting the sacral vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the femur?

The thigh bone in frogs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tibiofibula?

The lower leg bone formed by the fusion of the tibia and fibula. Signup and view all the answers

What is the humerus?

The upper arm bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the radioulna?

The fusion of the radius and ulna. Signup and view all the answers

What is the suprascapula?

The shoulder bone. Signup and view all the answers

What are phalanges?

The bones forming the toes of frogs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pectoralis major?

To move the frog's arms toward and away from its body. Signup and view all the answers

What does the external oblique do?

Compresses the abdomen and laterally flexes and rotates the vertebral column. Signup and view all the answers

What is the linea alba?

The midline tendinous seam joining the abdominal muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What does the latissimus dorsi do?

Rotates the forelimbs and raises the arms towards the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the gastrocnemius?

The large muscle of the shank that flexes the knee and ankle. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary and Definitions

Tetrapod: Four-limbed vertebrates, including all vertebrates higher than fishes.
External Fertilization: Fertilization occurs outside the female’s body; the female lays eggs, and the male fertilizes them externally.
Head: Upper part of an animal’s body containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs, typically separated by a neck.
Nares: Openings into the nasal cavity found in the heads of vertebrates, both internally and externally.
Tongue: A long, sticky organ in frogs used for catching prey, which flips out to capture insects.
Tympanic Membrane: Also known as the eardrum, this structure separates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound.
Nictitating Membrane: A transparent, eyelid-like membrane that protects the eye and enables frogs to see underwater.
Trunk: The central part of a frog’s body, connecting the head and limbs, often referred to as the backside.
Forelimbs: The front legs of the frog, contributing to body support and impact absorption during movements like landing.
Hindlimbs: The back legs of the frog, primarily used for locomotion.

Skeletal System

Axial Skeleton: Comprises the skull, rib cage, and vertebral column, forming the central axis of the body.
Appendicular Skeleton: Includes bones that connect to the axial skeleton, such as the pectoral and pelvic girdles, limb bones, and bones of the hands and feet.
Urostyle: A long bone connecting the sacral vertebrae, formed from fused vertebrae in frogs and toads.
Femur: The thigh bone; it is the first leg bone.
Tibiofibula: A lower leg bone formed by the fusion of the tibia and fibula in frogs and toads.
Humerus: The upper arm bone; the first bone in the forelimb.
Radioulna: The fusion of the radius and ulna; the second bone in the forelimb.
Suprascapula: The shoulder bone, part of the pectoral girdles, characterized by its square, thin shape.
Phalanges: The bones forming the toes on both front and back feet; referred to as separate digits.

Muscles and Functions

Pectoralis Major: A large chest muscle responsible for moving the frog’s arms toward and away from the body, facilitating limb movement.
External Oblique: Compresses the abdomen, aids in lateral flexion and rotation of the vertebral column, and helps in breathing.
Linea Alba: A tendinous seam on the midline of the abdomen connecting abdominal muscles, vital for structural integrity.
Latissimus Dorsi: A muscle that rotates and extends the forelimbs, facilitating movement of the arms towards the body.
Gastrocnemius: A large muscle located between the knee and ankle, crucial for flexing the leg, enabling powerful movements in swimming and jumping.

Key Functions

Frogs showcase adaptations in their anatomy that support a dual life, both in water and on land.
The fore and hind limbs play significant roles in locomotion and body stabilization, with specialized bones for efficient movement.
Muscular adaptations allow frogs to excel in jumping, swimming, and other activities vital for survival and feeding.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of amphibians with these flashcards focused on the Chordata phylum and Vertebrata subphylum. Learn key terms like tetrapod and external fertilization as you deepen your understanding of these unique creatures.