Questions and Answers
Turtles are classified as amphibians.
False
Which deuterostomes are most likely to be found in a rotting carcass?
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?
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Which groups of animals have all of the features noted at least at one stage in their development? (Select all that apply)
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What adaptations might have been facilitated by the earlier evolution of feathers?
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What feature of extinct mammals would have helped them to survive the cold during the ice ages?
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What two changes allowed gnathostomes to become mobile predators? (Select two.)
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Which of the following animals are actually members of Amphibia? (Select all that apply)
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Apes are generally larger than monkeys and do not have __________.
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Old World monkeys and New World monkeys are differentiated morphologically by their __________.
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Which of the following characteristics are associated primarily with primates?
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Within the therapsids, the ancestors of mammals were likely a group called the __________.
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Bones that have air spaces and struts to be lighter are called __________.
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An important fossil of an animal intermediate between birds and dinosaurs is __________.
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The only living descendants of one of the major clades of dinosaurs are __________.
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What is a main advantage of ectothermy?
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Synapsids include which of the following?
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Amphibians lay their eggs in moist environments to prevent __________.
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Which of the following are modifications that help frogs avoid predators?
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Ray skeletons are made up of primarily __________.
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What is the function for flight of the contour feathers of birds?
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Hagfishes and lampreys are grouped together as the __________ fishes.
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The notochord is replaced in vertebrates by __________.
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The chordates are __________.
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In chordates, the hollow nerve cord is located __________ to the notochord.
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Animals that possess jaws are known as __________.
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What was the advantage for fish having a jaw and paired fins?
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An important feature of amphibians is that they __________.
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What two features likely helped gnathostomes to replace most jawless fishes during the Devonian period?
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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.
