Animal Overview and Classification

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the overview and classification of animals as discussed in the lecture notes.

Eukaryotic

Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes.

Heterotrophic

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must ingest it.

Hox genes

A class of transcriptional control genes that direct the organization of the major animal body plans.

Diploblasts

Animals characterized by the development of two embryological germ layers: the endoderm and ectoderm.

Triploblasts

Animals that develop a third embryonic germ layer called the mesoderm.

Coelom

An internal body cavity that is present in some triploblastic animals.

Protostomes

Group of animals characterized by the development of the mouth before the anus during embryonic development.

Deuterostomes

Group of animals characterized by the development of the anus before the mouth during embryonic development.

Epithelia

A type of tissue that forms the outer layer of organs and structures.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism despite changes in external conditions.

Porifera

Phylum of animals that are known as sponges; they have no true tissues and are mostly sessile.

Cnidaria

Phylum of animals that includes jellyfish and corals, characterized by radial symmetry and stinging cells.

Lophotrochozoans

A group of protostomes that includes mollusks and annelids and is characterized by the presence of a lophophore.

Echinodermata

Phylum characterized by spiny skin and a water-vascular system, includes sea stars and sea urchins.

Chordata

Phylum that includes animals with a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, and other characteristics during development.

Amniotes

Animals characterized by the presence of a terrestrially adapted egg with extra-embryonic membranes, includes reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Mammals

Vertebrates characterized by hair, mammary glands, and a high metabolism.

Primates

Group of mammals that includes humans, characterized by adaptations for climbing and larger brains relative to body size.