Animal Characteristics

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the characteristics, reproduction, and development of animals.

What are the characteristics of animals?

Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic heterotrophs that can live in various habitats.

What do all animals have in common?

All animals share some common features and have developed adaptations to their structures that allow them to function in numerous habitats.

What percentage of animals are invertebrates?

Between 95-99 percent of animals are invertebrates, which are animals without backbones.

What is an exoskeleton?

An exoskeleton is a tough, hard outer covering that protects many invertebrates.

What is the difference between an endoskeleton and a vertebrate?

An endoskeleton is an internal support structure, while a vertebrate is an animal with a backbone.

What is a zygote?

A zygote is a fertilized egg formed when the sperm penetrates the egg.

What types of fertilization do animals undergo?

Animals can undergo internal fertilization (sperm and egg meet inside the body) or external fertilization (sperm and egg meet outside the body).

What does the gastrula develop into?

The gastrula develops into three layers: the endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm, each forming different systems in the organism.

What are the stages of embryonic development?

The stages include the formation of a zygote, cleavage into a blastula, and further development into a gastrula.

How do adaptations allow animals to live in different habitats?

Adaptations in feeding, digestion, and support enable animals to thrive in various ecosystems.

What is the role of the ectoderm in tissue development?

The ectoderm develops into the nervous system and skin.

How does the inner layer of the gastrula contribute to development?

The endoderm forms the digestive organs from the inner layer of the gastrula.

What are some methods of asexual reproduction?

Methods of asexual reproduction include budding, fragmentation, regeneration, and parthenogenesis.

What is internal and external fertilization?

Internal fertilization happens inside the body, whereas external fertilization occurs outside the body when sperm and egg meet.

What allows animals to move uniquely?

The evolution of nerve and muscle tissue allows animals to move in unique ways.