BIOL211 Study Guide Summary

Overview of Animal Classification and Characteristics

  • Types of Animals: Parazoa (no defined tissues) and Eumetazoa (defined tissues).

  • Symmetry: Radial symmetry and bilateral symmetry.

  • Germ Layers: Ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Coelom Types

  • Acoelomate: No body cavity, tissue fills the space.

  • Pseudocoelomate: Body cavity partially lined by mesoderm.

  • Coelomate: Body cavity fully lined by mesoderm.

Circulatory Systems

  • Open Circulatory System: Fluid not confined to vessels.

  • Closed Circulatory System: Blood confined to vessels.

Bilateral Animals Classification

  • Divided into Protostomes and Deuterostomes based on:
      - Cleavage Patterns: Spiral (protostomes) vs. Radial (deuterostomes).
      - Developmental Fate: Determinant (protostomes) vs. Indeterminant (deuterostomes).
      - Coelom Formation: Schizocoely (protostomes) vs. Enterocoely (deuterostomes).

Diploblasts and Triploblasts

  • Diploblasts: Two germ layers.

  • Triploblasts: Three germ layers.

Cnidarians

  • Types: Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Cubozoa, and Anthozoa.

  • Characteristics: Marine, carnivorous with polyp and medusa stages.

  • Digestive System: Gastrovascular cavity.

  • Specialized Cells: Cnidocytes containing nematocysts.

Lophotrochozoa Phylum

  • Includes Platyhelminths, Rotifera, Nemertea, Mollusca, Annelida, Brachiopoda.

Mollusca Characteristics

  • Body Parts: Foot, visceral mass, mantle.

  • Classes: Polyplacophora, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Cephalopoda.

Annelids and Nematodes

  • Annelids: Segmented worms (e.g., earthworms, leeches).

  • Nematodes: Characterized by ubiquitous distribution, tube-like anatomy, and sexual reproduction.

Arthropods Classification

  • Groups: Chelicerates, Myriapoda, Hexapoda, Crustaceans.

  • Characteristics: Molting (ecdysozoa), segmented body, specialized appendages.

Echinodermata

  • Marine, pentaradial symmetry, includes Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Crinoidea, Holothuroidea.

Chordata Phylum

  • Groups: Urochordata, Cephalochordata (both invertebrates), Vertebrata.

  • Defining Features: Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, post-anal tail.

Vertebrates Overview

  • Characteristics of vertebrates: Vertebral column, cranium, endoskeleton.

  • Fish Types: Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous) and Osteichthyes (bony).

Amphibia Adaptations

  • Characteristics: Moist skin, cutaneous respiration, biphasic life cycle.

Reptilia and Birds

  • Distinctions: Ectothermic (reptiles) vs. endothermic (birds).

  • Reptile orders: Testudines, Sphenodontia, Squamata, Crocodilia.

Mammals Characteristics

  • Features: Hair, mammary glands, endothermy, specialized teeth.

  • Groups: Monotremes, marsupials, placentals.

Primate Distinctions

  • Derived characters: Opposable thumbs, larger brains, flat nails.

  • Two groups: Prosimians and Anthropoidea.

Behaviors in Animals

  • Types: Innate (fixed action patterns) and learned behaviors.

  • Communication: Used for mating, territory defense, alarming, and food acquisition.

  • Altruism: Actions benefiting others at a cost to the actor.