Animal Structures and Functions Lecture Notes

Animal: A living thing characterized by the ability to move independently and the necessity of obtaining energy from food sources.
External Structure: Any physical part or feature located on the outside of a plant or animal.
Environment: The specific space, conditions, and the collective living and nonliving things surrounding an organism.
Survive: The act of continuing to live and remaining in existence within a given environment.
Function: The specific job, role, or action that a structure performs.
Relationship between Structure and Function:
- Structure and function are described as two pieces of a puzzle that fit together.
- The physical setup or design of an external structure is what enables it to function in a specific way.
- A function cannot exist without a corresponding structure to perform it.

All animals possess external structures (body parts) that assist them in meeting fundamental needs to ensure survival.
Primary Survival Needs:
- Locating and consuming food.
- Acquiring and taking in water.
- Enduring the specific climate and weather conditions of their habitat.
- Protecting themselves from threats such as predators.
- Reproduction to create offspring and prevent the species from dying out.
Environmental Specificity: Because different environments present different challenges, animals require specific structures tailored to their unique surroundings.

Environment: Elephants typically live in habitats with very hot weather.
Large Ears (External Structure):
- Elephants possess very large ears as an adaptation to their hot climate.
- One primary function of these large ears is to help the animal stay cool.
Wrinkly Skin (External Structure):
- The function of the elephant's wrinkly skin is temperature regulation.
- The wrinkles allow moisture to be trapped in the cracks of the skin, keeping the elephant cool for a longer duration.
Other Notable Structures: The trunk, tusks, and skin are all essential external structures that contribute to the elephant's survival.

Fish Fins: Fish possess various fins, each acting as a distinct external structure with a specialized function:
- Pectoral Fins: Used for maintaining balance.
- Dorsal Fin: Used primarily for protection.
- Pelvic and Anal Fins: Utilized for steering through the water.
- Caudal Fin: Functions to propel the fish through the water.
Sharks:
- Diet consists of many types of fish, lobsters, and crabs.
- Sharp Teeth: These are external structures designed for tearing through tough food.
- Regeneration: Shark teeth are constantly replaced. No matter how many teeth are lost, they will always grow back.
Ducks:
- Webbed Feet: A specialized external structure.
- Function: Webbed feet provide better swimming capabilities, allowing ducks to find food sources in the water.

Horses:
- Hoof: A foot structure made of the same material as human fingernails.
- Functions:
  - Allows the horse to run faster across flat, grassy prairies to evade predators.
  - Acts as a shock absorber to protect the horse’s legs during movement.
Lions:
- Mane: A distinctive external structure found on male lions.
- Historical Theory: Scientists previously thought the mane was intended to protect the neck during combat.
- Current Scientific Theory: The size and color of the mane indicate the "fitness" of the lion. A large, colorful mane functions as a warning to young male lions to avoid challenging that specific male.
Giraffes:
- Long Neck: This structure functions to allow the giraffe to reach food sources that other animals cannot access.
- Short, Thick Fur with Brown Patches:
  - Functions as camouflage to hide from predators.
  - Functions to help control body temperature in warm environments.

Owls:
- Tufts: External structures that can be raised.
- Function: When raised, tufts look like twigs or branches, providing camouflage to protect the owl from predators.
Moths:
- Tymbals: Specialized external structures.
- Function: These can mimic the sounds of other animals to confuse and deter predators.

Environmental Advantage: Flying allows birds to access environments other animals cannot, find food, travel, and escape predators quickly.
Wings: The external structures required for flight.

Hollow Bones (Internal Structure):
- While not external, hollow bones are critical structures.
- Function: They make the bird light enough to achieve and maintain flight.

Career: Zoologist.
Educational Requirements: Requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Median Salary: $\$63,270$ .
Key Responsibilities:
- Studying animal body structures and how animals live.
- Investigating diseases that affect specific animals.
- Observing how changing environments affect animals and how animals, in turn, affect the environment.
- Collecting, recording, and presenting data.
- Understanding animal habitats and survival requirements.
- Maintaining knowledge of laws regarding animal care and acting safely around animals.

Stop and Jot 1: Elephants live in very hot weather. They have very large ears. What do you see in the picture? Can you think of two ways large elephant ears help to keep them cool? [Discussion of heat dissipation and possible fanning behavior].
Stop and Jot 2: What might happen if a shark’s teeth couldn’t be replaced when they become dull or fall out? [The shark would lose its ability to tear through tough food, leading to potential starvation].
Stop and Jot 3: Some external structures don’t have a specific function. What could be an explanation for this? [Discussion of vestigial structures or evolutionary leftovers].
Virtual Field Trip: Observe baby seals and identify their structures/functions (e.g., flippers for swimming, blubber for warmth).

1. External means—
- Choice: B. outside.
2. Some animals have protective structures that function to—
- Choice: D. both A & C (mimic another animal / provide camouflage).
3. In the fish example, the pectoral, dorsal, pelvic/anal, and caudal fins all—
- Choice: C. have specific functions.
4. Fill in the blank: Structures and functions help animals survive in their environments.
5. Fill in the blank: There can’t be a function without a structure.
6. Creative Application: Identify an animal, structure, and function (e.g., Cat; Structure: Retractable claws; Function: Climbing and catching prey).