Animal Diversity - Vertebrates

Vocabulary flashcards related to animal diversity, specifically vertebrates.

Chordates

Organisms with a notochord, a nerve cord, and slits in their throat area at some point in their lives.

Vertebrate

Animal with a backbone that is part of an endoskeleton, which supports the body, protects organs, and gives muscles a place to attach.

Ectotherm

Animal whose body does NOT produce much internal heat (e.g., fishes, amphibians, and reptiles).

Endotherm

Animal whose body regulates its own temperature by controlling the internal heat.

Fish

Ectotherms that live in water, have fins, and obtain oxygen through gills; many have scales.

Jawless Fish

Fish that have no jaws or scales with skeletons made of cartilage (e.g., lamprey & hagfish).

Cartilaginous Fish

Fish having jaws and scales as well as skeletons made of cartilage (e.g., sharks, rays).

Swim bladder

Organ in bony fish that is a gas-filled sac that helps them stay stable at different depths.

Amphibians

Ectothermic vertebrate that spends early life in water and adulthood on land (e.g., salamanders, frogs, and toads).

Metamorphosis

Process most amphibians undergo where legs and lungs develop for adult life.

Reptiles

Ectothermic vertebrate that has lungs and scaly skin adapted to conserve water.

Amniotic Eggs

Eggs with a shell and internal membranes that keep the embryo moist, characteristic of reptiles.

Lizards and Snakes

Reptiles that have skin covered with overlapping scales; lizards have four legs, snakes have none.

Alligators and Crocodiles

Large, carnivorous reptiles that care for their young.

Turtles

Reptile whose body is covered by a protective shell that includes the ribs & backbone.

Birds

Endothermic vertebrate that has feathers and a four-chambered heart; also lays eggs.

Contour Feathers

Streamlined feathers that give birds shape and color.

Down Feathers

Insulating layer under contour feathers on birds.

Mammals

Endothermic vertebrates with a four-chambered heart and skin covered with fur or hair.

Mammary Glands

Organs in mother's body that produce milk to feed young mammals.

Carnivores

Meat-eaters with sharp canines that tear flesh.

Herbivores

Plant-eating mammals with incisors that cut and molars that grind.

Omnivores

Eat both plants and animals using a variety of teeth.

Monotremes

Egg-laying mammals that lack nipples (e.g., spiny anteater and duck-billed platypus).

Marsupials

Mammals who give birth during early stage of development, then usually continue to develop in pouch on mother’s body.

Placental mammals

Mammals that develop from embryo connected to a placenta by an umbilical cord; diverse group based on how they eat and move, as well as other characteristics.