12 Questions
What event in Earth's history is associated with the diversification of insects?
The appearance of the first land plants
Which group of animals is characterized by the calcification of an internal skeleton?
Echinoderms
What type of animal is characterized by the use of a periodic jet of water for swimming and has tentacles and an external shell?
Cephalopod
What is a disadvantage of the rigid exoskeleton of some ecdysozoans?
It must be periodically shed and replaced
During which geological period did the first land plants appear?
Silurian
What is a characteristic of echinoderms?
They have a radially symmetrical body
What is a major limitation of the exoskeleton?
It cannot grow as the animal's body grows
What characteristic arose in the evolutionary lineage leading to chordates?
Development of a dorsal hollow nerve cord
What is a characteristic of animals that arose after the cnidarians?
Bilateral symmetry and three embryonic layers
Why did J.B.S. Haldane quip about the Creator's fondness for beetles?
Most species of animals are beetles
What is the likely ancestor of the animal clade?
Choanoflagellate
What is the classification of an organism with a thick, chitinous cuticle, molts, and a body divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen?
Hexapod
Study Notes
Insect Diversification
- Insect diversification occurred around 450 million years ago, coinciding with the appearance of the first land plants.
Calcification of Internal Skeleton
- Echinoderms are characterized by the calcification of an internal skeleton.
Cephalopod Characteristics
- Cephalopods are characterized by the use of a periodic jet of water for swimming, tentacles, and an external shell.
Ecdysozoan Exoskeleton
- The rigid exoskeleton of ecdysozoans has protective and supportive advantages, but it poses the problem of not being able to grow as the animal's body grows.
Evolution of Chordates
- A major change in the evolutionary lineage leading to chordates was the development of a dorsal hollow nerve cord.
Evolutionary Characteristics
- The characteristic of bilateral symmetry arose after cnidarians in the history of animals.
- Three embryonic layers also arose after cnidarians.
Beetle Species
- J.B.S. Haldane quipped that the Creator has an inordinate fondness for beetles because most species of animals are beetles.
Animal Clade Ancestor
- The ancestor of the animal clade was probably a choanoflagellate.
Hexapod Characteristics
- Hexapods are characterized by a thick, chitinous cuticle, molting, six jointed appendages, and a body divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen.
Lophotrochozoan Lineage
- Mollusks are members of the lophotrochozoan lineage.
Test your knowledge of evolution and paleontology with this quiz. Questions cover topics such as the diversification of insects, the appearance of land plants, and more. See how well you can do!
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