Vertebrates: Classes and Vocabulary

Vertebrate Vocabulary

• A vertebrate is an animal possessing a backbone or spinal column.
• The backbone is a structure of small bones supporting the body.
• A spinal column protects the spinal cord with interlocking vertebrae.
• Species refers to organisms that interbreed to create fertile offspring.
• A habitat supplies an organism with its necessary food, water, and shelter.
• Class is a biology term that groups similar organisms.
• Being endangered means a species is at risk of extinction.
• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a habitat/ecosystem and their interactions.

Examples of Vertebrate Classes

• Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates with fur or hair that give birth to live young; elephants are an example.
• Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates with feathers and beaks and lay eggs; eagles are an example.
• Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates with scales that lay eggs; crocodiles are an example.
• Amphibians live in water and on land; frogs are an example.
• Fish are cold-blooded vertebrates that live in water with gills and lay eggs; salmon is an example.

Characteristics of Vertebrate Classes

• Mammals have a backbone, regulate body temperature, have fur or hair, give live birth, and produce milk.
• Birds have a backbone, regulate body temperature, have feathers, possess beaks, and lay eggs with hard shells.
• Reptiles have a backbone, are cold-blooded, have dry/scaly skin, breathe air through lungs, and lay eggs.
• Amphibians have a backbone, are cold-blooded, have moist skin, start as larvae and breathe through gills/lungs.
• Fish have a backbone, are cold-blooded, live in water, have gills, have scales, and lay eggs.

Habitats of Vertebrate Classes

• Mammals live in forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains and aquatic areas, like elephants polar bears, and dolphins
• Birds live in forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, urban areas, and marine environments, like eagles, sparrows, penguins
• Reptiles live in warm environments such as deserts, forests, grasslands, lakes and rivers, like lizards, turtles, and snakes.
• Amphibians live in moist environments near freshwater, such as ponds, streams, forests and grasslands, such as frogs, salamanders and toads.
• Fish live mainly in aquatic habitats, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, preferring coral reefs and freshwater. Salmon, Clownfish and Catfish.

Nutrition in Vertebrate Classes

• Mammals need proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals; they include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
• Birds require proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and eat seeds, fruits, or meat.
• Reptiles need nutrients like proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, some are herbivores, carnivores, or insectivores.
• Amphibians need proteins, fats, and nutrients; adults are carnivorous, while larvae are herbivorous.
• Fish requires proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, and their diets consist of plants and animals.

Breathing Methods of Vertebrate Classes

• Mammals breathe air using lungs; air passes through the trachea, and gas exchange occurs.
• Birds breathe air using lungs and air sacs, allowing for a continuous airflow for gas exchange.
• Reptiles breathe air using lungs, and their bodies can absorb oxygen.
• Amphibians use gills as larvae, then develop lungs as adults and can absorb oxygen through the skin.
• Fish breathe underwater using gills to extract oxygen.

Reproduction of Vertebrate Classes

• Mammals are viviparous with internal fertilization; females nourish offspring with milk.
• Birds are oviparous with internal fertilization; parents incubate eggs.
• Reptiles are mostly oviparous with internal fertilization; shells can be hard or leathery and receive little parental care.
• Amphibians are oviparous, using external fertilization in water that turns into aquatic eggs.
• Fish are mostly oviparous, external fertilization is used, aquatic eggs are produced and they provide little care for young.