Plate Techtonics

Plate Tectonics

Continents move over geological time.

Ocean Floors and Continents

Sit on 8 major lithospheric plates.

Lithospheric Plates

Float on the hot, dynamic asthenosphere.

Subduction

One plate moves beneath another.

Orogeny

Mountain formation.

Two Major Ancient Landmasses

Laurasia and Gondwana.

Mammalia

Prototheria, Metatheria, and Eutheria.

Prototheria

Monotremes.

Metatheria

Marsupials.

Eutheria

Placental mammals.

Mammary Glands

Produce milk.

Suckling Behavior

Mothers nurse their young.

Vivipary

Giving birth to live young.

Parental Care

Caring for offspring for longer periods.

Endothermy

Maintaining body temperature through internal metabolism.

Body Hair

Helps with insulation.

Sweat Glands

Help cool the body.

Respiratory Control

Helps regulate body temperature.

Mammalian Jaw

One bone on each side of the lower jaw.

Ear Ossicles

3 small bones that transmit sound vibrations.

Mammalian Brain

Larger than expected for body size.

Cerebellum

Controls movement and coordination.

Neocortex

Higher thinking and sensory processing.

Incisors

Cut or harvest food.

Canines

Puncture food.

Premolars

Located between canines and molars.

Molars

Chew and crush food.

Dental Formula

Counts upper and lower incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

Mammalian Locomotion

Limbs positioned beneath the body, not sprawled outward.