BIOL1263 Living Organisms II

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on birds and mammals, including physiological traits, evolutionary relationships, and anatomical structures.

Endothermy

The ability of birds and mammals to generate metabolic heat and maintain high, stable body temperatures.

Phyla

A classification level in the biological hierarchy that combines several related classes, used to categorize living organisms.

Metabolic heat

Heat produced as a by-product of metabolic processes in animals.

Tidal ventilation

A type of lung ventilation where air flows in and out of the lungs during breathing cycles, as seen in mammals.

Unidirectional airflow

A respiratory mechanism in birds where air flows in a single direction through the lungs, allowing for more efficient gas exchange.

Diaphragm

A muscular structure that helps with breathing by contracting and relaxing to create negative pressure in the chest cavity.

Keel

A prominent structure in birds' sternum that provides an anchor for flight muscles.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between air and blood.

Eutherians

Placental mammals, characterized by the presence of a complex placenta and live births.

Monotremes

Egg-laying mammals such as the platypus and echidnas.

Marsupials

Pouched mammals, such as kangaroos and opossums, where young are born very small and mature in a pouch.

Homeothermy

The ability to maintain a constant internal body temperature regardless of environmental conditions.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that coordinates movement and balance, more developed in birds for flight control.

Hollow bones

Lightweight bones filled with air spaces, aiding in flight by reducing body weight in birds.

Air sacs

Structures in the respiratory system of birds that store and pump air, enhancing breathing efficiency.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history and relationships among organisms.

Opposable digits

Digits that can be moved to touch and grasp other fingers; a key trait in primates.

Grasping limbs

Limbs that can grasp and manipulate objects, important for arboreal primates.

Placentals

Mammals that give birth to well-developed young through a complex placenta.

Taxonomic diversity

The variety of different taxonomic groups present within a certain area or globally.