4.1-4.3 Test 1

What are the key features that distinguish Kingdom Animalia?

Multicellular eukaryotes, heterotrophic, lack cell walls, possess specialized tissues, capable of sexual reproduction, muscle and nerve tissues, life cycle includes developmental stages.

What are the differences between asexual and sexual reproduction in animals?

Asexual reproduction involves one parent, no genetic variation, faster, and methods include fission or budding. Sexual reproduction involves two parents, genetic variation due to recombination, and is slower.

What process follows cleavage during animal development?

Blastulation, which leads to the formation of a blastula.

What is gastrulation?

The process where cells migrate inward to form germ layers and establish body axes.

What distinguishes incomplete metamorphosis from complete metamorphosis?

Incomplete metamorphosis involves an egg, nymph, and adult, while complete metamorphosis involves an egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

What type of body symmetry do sponges exhibit?

Asymmetry.

What are the three types of body symmetry in animals?

Asymmetry, radial symmetry, and bilateral symmetry.

What are the primary germ layers formed during gastrulation?

Ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

What roles do Hox genes play in development?

They regulate body plan along the head-to-tail axis and determine the identity of body parts.

What are the characteristics of acoelomate animals?

They have no body cavity, are simpler organisms, and include flatworms.

How do protostomes differ from deuterostomes in embryonic development?

Protostomes have spiral and determinate cleavage, while deuterostomes have radial and indeterminate cleavage.

What distinguishes cartilaginous fishes from bony fishes?

Cartilaginous fishes have a skeleton made of cartilage, while bony fishes have a skeleton made of bone.

What are the differences between rays and lobe-finned fishes?

Ray-finned fishes have fins supported by long, flexible rays; lobe-finned fishes have fleshy, lobed fins with bones.

What is unique about the amniotic egg structure?

It has membranes such as the amnion, yolk sac, allantois, and chorion, which serve various protective and nutritional functions.

What is the significance of the Cambrian Explosion?

It marked a rapid increase in animal diversity and the first appearance of most major animal phyla.

What are the key characteristics of reptiles?

Scaly, waterproof skin, lay amniotic eggs on land, ectothermic, and use lungs for respiration.

What are the three main groups of mammals?

Monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians.

What is a primary characteristic of invertebrate chordates?

They retain all chordate features as larvae but differ as adults.

How are hagfish considered transitional?

They possess a notochord but no vertebrae, making them a bridge between invertebrates and vertebrates.

What defines the group Echinodermata?

They exhibit radial symmetry as adults, a water vascular system, and an endoskeleton made of calcareous plates.

What is the fate of the notochord in vertebrates?

It is typically replaced by the vertebral column during development.

What adaptations do birds have for flight?

Lightweight feathers, hollow bones, fused bones, and high metabolism with efficient lungs.

What are the main differences between Old World and New World monkeys?

Old World monkeys inhabit Africa and Asia, have downward-facing nostrils, and non-prehensile tails; New World monkeys are found in Central & South America, have side-facing nostrils, and prehensile tails.

What is the main evolutionary significance of Tiktaalik?

It possesses both fish and tetrapod features, showcasing the transition from aquatic to terrestrial vertebrates.

What role do sponges play in their ecosystem?

They act as filter feeders, contributing to water purification and habitat structures.

What is the primary body form found in Cnidarians?

Polyp and medusa.

What is the purpose of Hox genes in animal development?

They determine the body layout and the specific identity of body parts.