COMPANA LAB LE1

Comparative Anatomy

The study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species to understand evolutionary adaptations.

Phylum Chordata

A phylum that includes all animals with notochords, dorsal hollow nerve cords, pharyngeal slits, and post-anal tails.

Notochord

A flexible rod-like structure that provides support in the embryonic stage of chordates.

Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord

A tube-like structure above the notochord that develops into the central nervous system.

Pharyngeal Slits

Openings in the pharynx that develop into gills in fish and contribute to the jaw and inner ear in terrestrial animals.

Endostyle

A gland found in chordates that is involved in filter feeding and becomes the thyroid gland in vertebrates.

Deuterostome

A classification of animals where the mouth develops second during embryonic development.

Vertebrates

Animals with a backbone or spinal column.

Aposematism

A strategy where toxic organisms display bright colors to warn predators.

Homologous Structures

Similar structures in different species that share a common ancestor but have different functions.

Analogous Structures

Features of different species that serve similar functions but do not originate from a common ancestor.

Taxonomy

The science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms.

Binomial Nomenclature

A two-part naming system for organisms, consisting of genus and species names.

Monophyletic Group

A taxon that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Polyphyletic Group

A taxon that does not include the common ancestor of all its members.

Paraphyletic Group

A taxon that includes a common ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.

Fish

An aquatic, gill-bearing animal that typically has limbs in the form of fins.

Cartilaginous Fish (Chondrichthyes)

Fishes with skeletons made of cartilage, such as sharks and rays.

Bony Fish (Osteichthyes)

Fishes with bony skeletons, including most common fish like salmon and trout.

Endotherm

An animal that maintains a constant body temperature independent of the environment.

Ectotherm

An animal that relies on external temperatures to regulate its body heat.

Amphibians

A class of animals that can live both on land and in water, characterized by their moisture-dependent skin.

Tetrapods

Four-limbed vertebrates that include amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

External Fertilization

The union of egg and sperm outside the body, typical in amphibians and fish.

Internal Fertilization

The union of egg and sperm inside the female's body, typical in mammals and some reptiles.

Ganoid Scales

Thick, bony scales found in primitive fish like sturgeon.

Cycloid Scales

Thin, smooth scales found in most bony fish.

Ctenoid Scales

Rough-edged scales with tiny projections found in advanced bony fish.

Placoid Scales

Tooth-like scales found in cartilaginous fish like sharks.

Aves

The class of birds characterized by feathers and other adaptations for flight.

Mammalia

The class of mammals distinguished by mammary glands and hair.

Evolution

The change in the characteristics of a species over generations, primarily through natural selection.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms with favorable traits reproduce more successfully.

Divergent Evolution

Occurs when groups from the same common ancestor split into different species.

Convergent Evolution

When unrelated organisms evolve similar traits due to adapting to similar environments.

Coevolution

The process where two or more species mutually influence each other's evolution.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram representing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Cladogram

A branching diagram showing the evolutionary relationships based on shared traits.

Carolus Linnaeus

The scientist known as the father of taxonomy who developed the binomial nomenclature system.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The system of classifying organisms into increasingly specific categories.

Genus

The first part of a scientific name in binomial nomenclature, representing a group of closely related species.

Species

The second part of a scientific name, identifying a specific organism.

Mammary Glands

Glands in mammals that produce milk to nourish young.

Nictitating Membrane

A transparent third eyelid found in some animals that protects and moistens the eye.

Endoskeleton

An internal skeleton made of bone or cartilage, typical in vertebrates.

Integumentary System

The skin and its related structures, including scales, feathers, and hair.

Tetrapod,

Four-limbed vertebrates that include amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Ectotherm,Object

An organism that cannot regulate its body temperature internally.

Ovoviviparous

Producing eggs that hatch inside the mother's body.

Oviparous

Laying eggs outside the body.

Viviparous

Giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs.

Morphology

The study of the form and structure of organisms.

Adaptation

A trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Speciation

The evolutionary process by which new biological species arise.

Sympatric Speciation

The evolution of new species from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region.

Allopatric Speciation

The evolution of new species through geographical isolation.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies in a population.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.

Extinction

The end of an organism or group of organisms, typically resulting from environmental change or competition.

Ecological Niche

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.

Species Diversity

The variety of species within a specific habitat or ecosystem.

Functional Diversity

The range of different biological functions or traits present in an ecosystem.

Phylogenetics

The study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities.

Ancestral Trait

A trait that was present in a common ancestor of a group.

Derived Trait

A trait that evolved in a lineage that was not present in the common ancestor.

Fossil Record

The total number of fossils discovered and the information they provide about past life forms.

Clade

A group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.

Taxon (plural: taxa)

A group of one or more populations of organisms that form a unit.

Phylogenetic Hypothesis

A proposed explanation of the evolutionary relationships among organisms based on available data.

Paleontology

The study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.

Homoplasy

Similar characteristics in different species that do not share a common ancestor.

Anatomy

The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms.

Morphological Adaptation

Changes in physical structure that help an organism survive in its environment.

Behavioral Adaptation

Changes in behavior that help an organism survive in its environment.

Physiological Adaptation

Changes in the internal processes of an organism that enhance survival.