Fun Facts!
This clade (group) is characterized by a vertebral column, endoskeleton, and typically paired appendages; mammals, birds, and reptiles all belong to it.
What are Vertebrates?
mammals produce milk from specialized glands
What are mammary glands?
Feathers are made primarily of a protein also found in hair. Name the protein.
What is keratin?
body temperature primarily regulated by external sources
What is ectothermy?
This vertebrate has scales made of keratin, breathes with lungs, and is ectothermic
What is a reptile?
The fossil evidence that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs includes a famous transitional genus with feathers, small teeth, and a long bony tail. Name that genus
What is Archaeopteryx?
these three middle-ear bones are unique to mammals and explain how they improve hearing compared to a single-bone middle ear
What are the malleus, incus, and stapes?
This is a skeletal adaptation in birds that reduces weight for flight and one adaptation that strengthens the skeleton for flight stresses
What are hollow bones and a keel?
The type of fertilization most reptiles use.
What is internal fertilization?
This vertebrate gives birth to live young, nourishes offspring with milk, and has specialized teeth for cutting and grinding food.
What is a mammal?
Name two lines of evidence (other than fossils) scientists use to infer common ancestry among vertebrate groups. (Give two distinct examples.)
What is comparative anatomy (homologous structures), molecular genetics (DNA sequence similarity), embryology, biogeography?
These two mammal groups give birth, but at different stages of development.
This type of heart structure keeps oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separated
What is a four chambered double loop heart?
This allows for reproduction away from the water.
What is the amniotic egg?
This vertebrate has mammary glands, hair, is endothermic, and lays eggs.
What is a monotreme?
Endothermy (warm-bloodedness) is considered an adaptive trait in some vertebrate lineages —These are two physiological or ecological advantages
What are sustained high activity levels, better temperature-independent performance, parental incubation possible, expanded nocturnal/colder niches; physiological reasons include increased enzyme activity optimization and sustained muscular output?
These are two functions of hair in mammals.
What are thermoregulation and sensory perception?
this avian respiratory system’s unique feature that increases gas exchange efficiency compared to mammalian lungs
What is airflow through parabronchi with air sacs?
These are the four different orders of reptiles.
What are testidunes, squamata, crocodilia, and sphenodontia?
This vertebrate has moist, permeable skin, and relies on both aquatic and terrestrial environments during its life cycle.
What are amphibians?
Independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated lineages due to similar selective pressures
What is convergent evolution?
These are traits that co-evolved with parental care. (list two)
What is endothermy, internal gestation, lactation?
This is one piece of anatomical or molecular evidence that supports the evolutionary link between birds and theropod dinosaurs
What are hollow bones, furcula (wishbone), three-fingered hands in theropods?
What is the Jacobson's organ?
This vertebrate has a cartilaginous skeleton, placoid scales, and no swim bladder
What is a cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes)?