Introduction to Animals

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to animal biology, including definitions and specific traits of various animal groups.

Multicellular

Organisms composed of multiple cells that exhibit complex structures and functions.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain their food by ingesting other organisms or organic matter.

Metamorphosis

A developmental process in animals that involves a distinct change from juvenile to adult form.

Embryonic Tissues

Layers of cells in an embryo that develop into different tissues and organ systems, specifically ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm.

Acoelomates

Animals that lack a coelom, or body cavity.

Coelom

An enclosed, fluid-filled body cavity that provides space for organ development and circulation.

Radial Symmetry

A body plan in which body parts are arranged around a central axis, allowing for multiple planes of symmetry.

Bilateral Symmetry

A body plan where the left and right sides of the organism are mirror images of each other.

Diploblasts

Animals with two embryonic tissue layers: ectoderm and endoderm.

Triploblasts

Animals with three embryonic tissue layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm.

Protostomes

A group of animals in which the first opening (blastopore) becomes the mouth during embryonic development.

Deuterostomes

A group of animals in which the first opening (blastopore) becomes the anus during embryonic development.

Holometabolous Metamorphosis

A type of metamorphosis where the organism undergoes complete transformation, including distinct larval and pupal stages.

Hemimetabolous Metamorphosis

A type of metamorphosis where the organism develops from nymph to adult without a pupal stage.

Cnidocyte

A specialized cell in cnidarians used for capturing prey, containing stinging structures called nematocysts.

Choanocyte

A specialized feeding cell found in sponges that creates water currents for filter feeding.

Epithelial Tissue

A type of tissue that forms protective layers covering body surfaces and lining cavities.

Siphonophore

A colonial organism of the Cnidaria phylum made up of specialized individual units known as zooids.

Detritivores

Organisms that consume dead organic matter.

Omnivores

Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

Viviparous

A reproductive strategy where embryos develop inside the mother's body and obtain nutrients from her.

Oviparous

A reproductive strategy where eggs are laid outside the mother's body to develop independently.

Ovoviviparous

A reproductive strategy where embryos develop inside eggs that remain in the mother's body.