Questions and Answers
What is Class Aves known as?
What are the forelimbs of birds modified into?
A pair of wings
2 functions of feathers are ______ and insulation.
flight
Why do birds preen?
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What protein comprises feathers?
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2 groups of flying vertebrates are ______ and bats.
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2 distinctive adaptations of birds are ______ and beak.
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What similarity do birds show to reptiles?
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How do fused bones help birds?
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What supplies the energy needed for flight?
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The average temperature of birds is ______ degrees Celsius.
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7 characteristics all birds share are ______.
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How do birds replace feathers?
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Describe in detail the eggs of all birds.
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What is the taxonomy of birds from domain to class?
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Where is the oxygen-rich blood of birds stored?
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What arrangement ensures that O2-rich air is always moving to the lungs?
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Define inhalation.
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What penetrates some of the bones in order to make the birds more dense?
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Describe a bird's brain relative to its size.
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Are all birds well adapted for flight? Explain.
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What structures occupy a large part of a bird's chest and abdominal cavity?
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What plays a huge part in the structure of a bird's beak?
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Identify 5 examples of morphological evidence.
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How many species and orders of birds are there?
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What evidence (not morphological) is used to classify birds?
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Define exhalation.
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What happens when a bird exhales?
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1 emu egg equals ______ large chicken eggs.
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Define clutch.
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What are the characteristics of Anseriformes?
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Which order contains the world's largest birds?
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What are the characteristics of Strigiformes?
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Which order contains more than half of the total number of all bird species?
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What are the characteristics of Columbiformes?
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What are Passeriformes often referred to as?
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What are the characteristics of Psittaciformes?
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2 reasons males produce songs are ______ and attract females.
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What are the characteristics of Piciformes?
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What are the characteristics of Ciconiiformes?
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Crows are the largest of what order?
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Trace the flow of air through a bird's respiratory system.
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What is the order that comprises 290 species of diurnal birds of prey?
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Study Notes
Overview of Class Aves
- Class Aves is the largest group of terrestrial vertebrates.
- Wings are modified forelimbs enabling flight.
Feathers and Their Functions
- Feathers serve the dual purpose of aiding flight and insulating against heat loss.
- Birds preen their feathers for maintenance and care.
- Composed of keratin, which provides structural integrity.
Adaptations and Physiology
- Distinctive adaptations include the ability to fly and various beak shapes adapted to diet.
- Birds share similarities with reptiles, having scales and being classified as modern dinosaurs.
- Fused bones provide strength to withstand forces from flight muscles.
Energy and Metabolic Processes
- Energy required for flight is drawn from metabolism.
- Birds maintain an average body temperature of 40-41 degrees Celsius (104-106 degrees Fahrenheit).
Shared Characteristics of Birds
- Characteristics include feathers, wings, a lightweight skeleton, endothermic metabolism, a unique respiratory system, beaks, and oviparity (egg-laying).
Reproduction and Egg Structure
- Birds typically replace feathers during late summer in temperate climates.
- Eggs are amniotic, encased in a hard, calcium-containing shell.
Taxonomy of Birds
- Taxonomic classification from broad to specific includes: domain Eukarya, kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, and class Aves.
Respiratory System
- Oxygen-rich blood is stored in the lungs, with a unique arrangement of air sacs ensuring continuous airflow.
- Inhalation fills air sacs, while exhalation empties them, allowing for efficient gas exchange.
Morphological Evidence and Diversity
- Birds exhibit morphological diversity that can include variations in beaks, plumage, bone structure, and musculature.
- Approximately 10,000 bird species are classified into 23 orders.
Additional Classification Factors
- Classification of birds extends beyond morphology to include molecular evidence such as blood proteins, chromosomes, and DNA analysis.
Clutch and Egg Information
- A clutch refers to a group of eggs laid together.
- One emu egg is approximately equivalent to ten large chicken eggs.
Notable Orders and Their Characteristics
- Anseriformes includes waterfowl like swans, geese, and ducks, characterized by webbed feet and flattened bills.
- Struthioniformes features the world’s largest birds, like ostriches and emus.
- Strigiformes indicates owls, which are nocturnal with large eyes and acute hearing.
- Passeriformes, or perching birds, includes over half of all bird species, known for their claws and diverse song capabilities.
- Columbiformes features pigeons and doves, where both sexes can produce crop milk.
- Psittaciformes includes parrots and related species, recognized for strong hooked beaks and vocal adaptability.
- Piciformes, the woodpecker group, includes birds that nest in tree cavities.
- Ciconiiformes has diverse, long-legged birds such as herons and egrets.
Airflow in the Respiratory System
- Air flows into the respiratory system from the nostrils, through the trachea, into primary bronchi, and reaches the lungs and posterior air sacs for gas exchange.
Falconiformes
- Falconiformes encompasses diurnal birds of prey like falcons and hawks, totaling around 290 species.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Class Aves with this study guide. Explore key concepts such as the adaptations of birds, the function of feathers, and the significance of their forelimbs. Perfect for students seeking a deeper understanding of avian biology.