Lesson 1: Appearances and Anatomy

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and their definitions from the first lesson on dinosaur appearances and anatomy.

palaeontology

The study of all prehistoric life.

fossil

Any preserved evidence left behind by a prehistoric organism.

vertebrates

Animals that have skeletal adaptations including skulls and vertebrae.

invertebrates

Animals that lack vertebrae, such as insects and jellyfish.

sarischian

A group of dinosaurs characterized by a pubis that extends downwards and forwards.

ornithischian

A group of dinosaurs characterized by a pubis that extends downwards and backwards.

sauropodomorphs

Large herbivorous dinosaurs with elongated necks and relatively small heads.

theropods

Bipedal saurischian dinosaurs that were primarily carnivorous.

osteoderms

Bones that develop within the skin, common in animal armor.

integument

The body covering of an organism, including skin and scales.

gastralia

Small ribs positioned across a dinosaur’s underbelly, underneath the ribcage.

fenestrae

Large openings in dinosaur skulls that provide space for jaw muscles.

dental batteries

Collectively large chewing surfaces formed by rows of tightly packed teeth.

keratin

A tough material that composes scales, feathers, and skin of many organisms.

melanosomes

Pigment cells within feathers that influence feather coloration.

Sinosauropteryx

The first dinosaur known to have fossilized feathers discovered in Liaoning, China.