Life Science Terms 2 Learn #12 Vertebrates

nictitating membrane

A third eyelid that is translucent or clear, used as an extra level of protection for the eye

tympanum

A frog's ear drum; oval shaped membrane, located just behind the eye

counter shading

Dorsal side is dark, while the ventral side is light. This helps an animal avoid predators

periscopic eyes

Eyes that are located on the top of the head or on stalks, increasing field of vision, while keeping them undercover

chordata

Phylum that has a notochord, a hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal pouches, and a tail at some point in their development. Ex: vertebrates, lancelets, and tunicates

amphibia

cold-blooded; begin life in water with gills and later develop lungs; double life Ex: frogs, salamanders, and toads

reptilia

Cold-blooded; having a dry scaly skin, and laying soft-shelled eggs on land; ex: snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and tortoises

mammalia

Warm-blooded; have hair, mammory glands that secrete milk, and have specialized teeth, ex: bears, donkeys, humans

aves

Warm-blooded; feathers, beaks (no teeth), most can fly, legs covered with scaly skin, hard-shelled eggs Ex: pigeons, penguins, eagles

ectotherm

organism's body temperature is controlled by the temperature of its environment; cold blooded

osteichthyes

boney fish; most fish

endotherm

organism generates heat from within body; warm blooded

agnatha

jawless fish; lampreys

chondrichthyes

cartilage fish; sharks and rays