Fish Physiology and Anatomy

Flashcards covering key concepts related to fish physiology, reproduction, and anatomy.

Osmoregulation

The process of maintaining salt and water balance across membranes within the body.

Nephron

The main functional unit of the kidney composed of the glomerulus and renal tubule.

Glomerulus

A cluster of tiny blood vessels in the nephron where filtration of blood occurs.

Excretion

The process of removing wastes and excess water from the body.

Ammonia

A toxic nitrogenous waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins.

Viviparous

Describes species that give birth to live young instead of laying eggs.

Oviparous

Describes species that lay eggs that develop outside the mother's body.

Catadromous

Fish that live in fresh water but migrate to the ocean to breed.

Anadromous

Fish that spend most of their lives in salt water but migrate to fresh water to breed.

Lateral Line System

A sense organ that helps fish detect movement and vibration in the water.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain associated with coordination of movement.

Chloride cells

Special cells in fish that excrete salt to maintain osmotic balance.

Cartilaginous

Describes fish whose skeletons are entirely made of cartilage.

Bony fish

Fish with skeletons made of bone, belonging to the class Osteichthyes.

Ray-finned fish

Bony fishes that have slender bony spines connected by a thin layer of skin.

What is the optic lobe in fish?

The optic lobe is a region of the brain in fish responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes.

How do fish utilize their optic lobes?

Fish utilize their optic lobes to interpret visual stimuli, aiding in tasks like navigation, predator avoidance, and hunting for prey.

What role do the optic lobes play in the fish nervous system?

In the fish nervous system, the optic lobes are crucial for coordinating visual input with other sensory information, enhancing the fish's ability to respond to their environment.

What is the medulla oblongata in fish?

The medulla oblongata is a part of the brain in fish that controls vital involuntary functions such as respiration, heart rate, and reflex actions.

What functions does the medulla oblongata perform in fish?

The medulla oblongata in fish regulates essential bodily functions, including breathing, circulation, and coordination of reflexive responses to stimuli.

How does the medulla oblongata contribute to the fish's nervous system?

In the fish's nervous system, the medulla oblongata serves as a critical center for autonomic control, integrating signals from the brain and spinal cord to ensure survival functions are maintained.

What does viviparous mean in terms of reproduction?

Viviparous refers to a reproductive strategy where organisms give birth to live young, with the embryos developing inside the mother's body and receiving nourishment from her until they are ready to be born.

Which organisms commonly exhibit viviparous reproduction?

Viviparous reproduction is commonly found in certain species of mammals, reptiles, and some fish, where embryos develop within the parent's body, receiving direct nourishment during gestation.

How does viviparous reproduction benefit the development of embryos?

Viviparous reproduction enhances embryo survival by providing a protected environment within the mother, allowing them to develop with direct access to nutrients and a stable temperature until birth.

Can you provide an example of a viviparous fish species and its embryo development?

An example of a viviparous fish species is the guppy, which gives live birth to fully developed young; the embryos develop internally, benefiting from maternal care and protection before birth.

What does anadromous mean in terms of fish behavior?

Anadromous refers to a migratory behavior in which fish travel from saltwater habitats to freshwater rivers specifically to spawn, allowing their offspring to develop in optimal conditions.

Which fish species are typically known to be anadromous?

Common examples of anadromous fish include salmon, which migrate to freshwater streams during spawning season to produce their offspring.

What advantages do anadromous species gain for their offspring during reproduction?

Anadromous species gain advantages for their offspring by migrating to freshwater environments for spawning, providing a safer habitat with lower predation risks and abundant nutrients, which enhance the survival of the young fish.

How does the life cycle of anadromous fish illustrate the significance of migrating to freshwater areas for spawning?

The life cycle of anadromous fish demonstrates the significance of freshwater migration for spawning; after traveling from the ocean, they lay their eggs in rivers, where the conditions are more favorable for the development of their offspring.

What are jawless fish?

Jawless fish refer to a group of primitive fish that lack jaws, including species like lampreys and hagfish, characterized by their elongated bodies and cartilaginous structures.

Can you provide examples of jawless fish species?

Examples of jawless fish species include lampreys and hagfish, which have unique adaptations for feeding and survival, such as using sucker-like mouths to attach to other fish.

What are some key characteristics of jawless fish?

Jawless fish are characterized by having no jaws; instead, they have large, round mouths, gills on the sides of their bodies, and a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone.

How do jawless fish differ from bony fish?

Jawless fish differ from bony fish in that they lack jaws, have a simpler body structure, and possess a cartilaginous skeleton, whereas bony fish have a complex skeleton and jaw structure for feeding.

jawless fish belong to what class

Angnatha

do skates lay eggs

yes they are

What are hagfish?

Hagfish are a type of jawless fish known for their eel-like bodies, lack of jaws, and unique feeding habits that include scavenging on dead or dying marine animals.

What are some common characteristics of hagfish?

Hagfish possess a long, slimy body, lack of true bones and jaws, and a cartilaginous structure. They have a distinctive ability to produce copious amounts of mucus, which helps them evade predators.

How do hagfish feed?

Hagfish feed by using a specialized, tooth-like structure to latch onto their prey and consume the soft tissues of dead or dying fish, often feeding from the inside out.

What is the reproductive strategy of hagfish?

Hagfish reproduce by laying eggs, with some species being known to be oviparous, where they deposit their eggs in nests or on the seafloor, contributing to the next generation of hagfish.

the skeleton of what fishes are made out of cartilage

sawfish, ray, skate, lumpfish(wade’s girlfriend), and chimaeras