Zoology

Gastro

Gastro

Stomach, the organ responsible for digestion.

Insecta

A class of animals characterized by three body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), compound eyes, six legs, and the ability to fly.

Cephalization

The concentration of sense organs and nerve cells at the front end of an animal's body, leading to a defined head region.

Pod

Foot, often used to refer to the limb structure in certain animals.

Crustacea

A subphylum of arthropods that includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimp, typically having gills and segmented bodies.

Parasite

An organism that lives on or in another organism (the host) and benefits at the host's expense.

Cephalo

Head, referring to the front part of an organism's body where sensory organs are typically located.

Spiracles

Breathing tubes found on the abdomen of insects that allow for gas exchange.

Free-living

Describes organisms that can survive independently without relying on a host organism.

Arthro

Joint, often referring to the jointed appendages in arthropods.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

A disease caused by bacteria spread through tick bites, resulting in a characteristic spotted rash.

Dorsal

Referring to the back side of an organism.

Pinworm

A small parasitic worm that lays its eggs in the human anus, causing itchiness and indigestion.

Lyme disease

An illness caused by tick bites that can lead to rash and chronic pain.

Tick borne disease

Illness transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.

Ventral

Referring to the belly or underside of an organism.

Bivalia

A class of mollusks with two shells, such as clams and oysters.

Cephalopod

A class of mollusks that includes squids and octopuses, known for their advanced nervous systems and ability to change color.

Diocious

Describes species where individual organisms are distinctly male or female.

Heartworm

A parasitic worm affecting the heart and lungs of dogs and other animals.

Dengue fever

A viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by high fever, severe headache, and joint pain.

Monocious

Organisms that have both male and female reproductive structures.

Flukes

A type of flatworm that often lives as a parasite in the bodies of other animals.

Wolbachia

A genus of bacteria that infects a variety of invertebrates and can manipulate host reproduction.

Sexual reproduction

The process where two organisms contribute genetic material to produce offspring.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without the fusion of gametes, resulting in offspring genetically identical to the parent.

Malaria

A disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Zebra mussel

An invasive species of freshwater mussel that can cause significant ecological and economic damage.

Herbivore

An organism that primarily eats plants.

Yellow Fever

A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing fever and complications.

Drone

A male bee whose sole purpose is to mate with the queen.

Worker

Female bees that perform all the tasks in the hive, such as foraging and caring for the young.

Queen Bee

The reproductive female in a bee colony responsible for laying eggs.

Carnivore

An organism that primarily eats meat.

Plague

A severe infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, historically known for causing pandemics.

CCD

Colony Collapse Disorder, a phenomenon affecting honeybee populations leading to a loss of hives.

Nocturnal

Organisms that are active during the night.

Mantu

Perhaps a misnomer; likely refers to a misidentified or less well-known term in zoology.

Neonicotinoid pesticide

A class of neuro-active insecticides modeled after nicotine, used to control pests but harmful to pollinators.

Diurnal

Organisms that are active during the day.

Siphon

A tubular structure used by some animals to draw in water or food.

Veroma

Possibly a typographical error; clarification needed for proper definition.

Mite

A small arachnid, often parasitic, affecting plants and animals.

Crepuscular

Referring to organisms that are active during twilight (dawn and dusk).

Foot

A part of many organisms adapted for locomotion.

Stereotypy

Repetitive behavior often seen in animals under stress or in captivity.

Edge habitat

The transition area between two ecological communities.

Gills

Respiratory organs in aquatic animals, used to extract oxygen from water.

Radula

A toothed, chitinous ribbon in mollusks used for scraping or cutting food.

Riparian

Pertaining to the regions bordering rivers and streams.

Chromatophores

Pigment-containing cells in the skin of many animals that allow them to change color.

Exoskeleton

A hard outer structure that provides support and protection in organisms like arthropods.

Gregarious

Describes animals that tend to live in groups or colonies.

Pheromones

Chemicals released by animals to communicate with others of the same species, affecting behavior.

Spermatophore

A capsule or mass containing sperm for transfer during reproduction in some animals.

Carrion

Decaying flesh of dead animals, often a food source for scavengers.

Biomimicry

The design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes.

Play

Activities that are not work-related but may have physiological benefits to animals.

Cache

A storage location for food or supplies, often used by animals like squirrels.

Heart seeking

Referring to parasites that specifically target the heart of their host.

Excretion

The process of eliminating waste from the body.

Mouth

The opening in the body of most organisms used for taking in food.

Cross-fertilization

The fertilization of an egg from one individual by the sperm of another individual.

Intestine

The part of the digestive system where most of the digestion and absorption of food occurs.

Lust and Self-fertility

Terms describing reproductive strategies, including sexual attraction and the ability to reproduce without a mate.

Arthropods

A phylum that includes invertebrate animals with exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages.

Panic

A response behavior in animals when threatened.

Nephridia

Excretory organs found in some invertebrates that remove waste from the body.

Chitin

A tough, flexible compound that makes up the exoskeleton of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi.

Fear

A survival mechanism reacting to danger or perceived threats.

Ganglia

Clusters of nerve cell bodies found in invertebrates, acting as a nervous system control center.

Merostomata

A class of marine animals known as horseshoe crabs.

Diplopoda

A class of arthropods known as millipedes, characterized by having two pairs of legs per body segment.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm in males, eggs in females) involved in sexual reproduction.

Chilopoda

A class of arthropods known as centipedes, which are predatory and have one pair of legs per body segment.

Phylum Porifera

Sponges.

Species Count

5,000+ (mostly marine).

Spicule Composition

Calcium, Silica/Glass.

Age

650 million years old.

Characteristics

Sessile (non-moving) except at birth; classes are divided by the type of spicule.

Class Demos

Lack true tissues or organ systems.

Phylum Cnidaria

Jellyfish.

Supporting Structures

Mesoglea (jelly-like substance).

Classes

Hydrozoa (Hydroid form), Cubazoa (includes box jellyfish), Anthozoa (anemones).

Nematocysts

Specialized cells involved in stinging and prey capture.

Class Hydrozoa

Includes Man-o-war and Hydra.

Class Cubazoa

Includes box jellyfish.

Class Anthozoa

Includes sea anemones.

Phylum Platyhelminthes

Flatworms.

Characteristics

Monocious, radial symmetry.

Classes

Turbellaria (free-living flatworms), Cestoda (tapeworms), Trematoda (flukes).

Unique Feature

Eyespot, gastrovascular cavity.

Class Turbellaria

Free-living flatworms.

Class Cestoda

Tapeworms.

Class Trematoda

Flukes (make 'zombies').

Phylum Nematoda

Roundworms. Classes are Chromadorea (mostly free-living, some parasitic), Secernentea (includes hookworms and other parasites affecting humans and plants).

Class Chromadorea

Includes hookworm (causes indigestion).

Class Secerntea

Includes Guinea worms and Pinworm.

Phylum Annelida

Segmented Worms. Segmented bodies, moncious. Classes include Polychaeta (marine worms), Oligochaeta (earthworms, Bobbit worm), Hirudinea (leeches).

Class Polychaeta

Includes Bobbit worm and Christmas tree worm.