Evolution and Adaptations of Reptiles and Birds
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Questions and Answers

Turtles are classified as amphibians.

False

Which deuterostomes are most likely to be found in a rotting carcass?

  • Primates
  • Hag Fish (correct)
  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Reptiles
  • Tunicates
  • What important advance allowed reptiles and birds to live on land?

    amnion

    What is the biggest advantage the tortoise has over the toad for dealing with the desert environment?

    <p>The tortoise does not need water to reproduce.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which groups of animals have all of the features noted at least at one stage in their development? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Lancelets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptations might have been facilitated by the earlier evolution of feathers?

    <p>endothermy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature of extinct mammals would have helped them to survive the cold during the ice ages?

    <p>endothermy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What two changes allowed gnathostomes to become mobile predators? (Select two.)

    <p>Development of a jaw</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following animals are actually members of Amphibia? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Salamanders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Apes are generally larger than monkeys and do not have __________.

    <p>tails</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Old World monkeys and New World monkeys are differentiated morphologically by their __________.

    <p>noses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characteristics are associated primarily with primates?

    <p>Larger brains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Within the therapsids, the ancestors of mammals were likely a group called the __________.

    <p>cynodonts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bones that have air spaces and struts to be lighter are called __________.

    <p>pneumatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An important fossil of an animal intermediate between birds and dinosaurs is __________.

    <p>Archaeopteryx</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The only living descendants of one of the major clades of dinosaurs are __________.

    <p>birds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a main advantage of ectothermy?

    <p>Less calories needed to maintain body temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Synapsids include which of the following?

    <p>Mammals and therapsids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Amphibians lay their eggs in moist environments to prevent __________.

    <p>dehydration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are modifications that help frogs avoid predators?

    <p>Skin that can act as camouflage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ray skeletons are made up of primarily __________.

    <p>cartilage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function for flight of the contour feathers of birds?

    <p>Reduce drag</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hagfishes and lampreys are grouped together as the __________ fishes.

    <p>jawless</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The notochord is replaced in vertebrates by __________.

    <p>the spine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The chordates are __________.

    <p>deuterostomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In chordates, the hollow nerve cord is located __________ to the notochord.

    <p>dorsal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Animals that possess jaws are known as __________.

    <p>gnathostomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the advantage for fish having a jaw and paired fins?

    <p>They became mobile predators.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An important feature of amphibians is that they __________.

    <p>All of the choices are correct.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What two features likely helped gnathostomes to replace most jawless fishes during the Devonian period?

    Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Classification and Characteristics

    • Turtles are incorrectly classified as amphibians; they are reptiles.
    • Amphibians include salamanders, frogs, newts, and toads which require moist environments for egg laying to prevent dehydration.
    • Synapsids encompass mammals and therapsids, indicating their evolutionary lineage.

    Evolutionary Adaptations

    • The evolution of the amnion allowed reptiles and birds to reproduce on land successfully.
    • Gnathostomes evolved from jawless ancestors, driven by the development of jaws and paired fins, leading to mobile predation.
    • Archaeopteryx represents a critical fossil transition between birds and dinosaurs.

    Physiological Features

    • Endothermy is significant for mammals and certain birds, providing advantages in cold climates during ice ages.
    • Pneumatic bones have air spaces, making them lighter, which aids in flight for birds.
    • Contour feathers reduce drag, enhancing flight efficiency.

    Behavioral Adaptations

    • Tortoises have an advantage over toads in desert environments due to their ability to reproduce without water.
    • Frogs utilize skin adaptations for camouflage and toxin production to deter predators.

    Distinctions Among Groups

    • Old World monkeys and New World monkeys are distinguished by morphological differences in noses.
    • Apes, larger than monkeys, are characterized by the absence of tails.
    • Chordates, including vertebrates, have a notochord replaced by the spinal column in development; their hollow nerve cord is located dorsally.

    Reproductive Strategies

    • Adaptations for reproduction include the evolutionary transition to laying eggs on land for reptiles and birds.
    • Primates have evolved traits such as larger brains and flattened nails, indicative of advanced cognitive abilities.

    Taxonomy and Evolutionary Lineages

    • Jawless fishes comprise hagfishes and lampreys, representing an early evolution stage.
    • Ray skeletons primarily consist of cartilage, differing from bony fish structures.
    • All vertebrates are classified within the deuterostome clade, reflecting their shared embryonic development.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of reptiles and birds through this quiz, focusing on their evolutionary adaptations, physiological features, and behavioral traits. Test your knowledge about their classification, reproduction, and unique characteristics, including insights into their ancestors and critical fossil transitions.

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