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This characteristic allows mammals to feed their young.
Mammary Glands
Mammals are known for having this body covering.
Hair or Fur
This term means mammals can maintain a constant body temperature.
Endothermic
This muscle helps mammals breathe by contracting and relaxing.
Diaphragm
Primates have these specialized structures on their hands and feet for gripping.
Grasping Hands and Feet
Besides feeding young, mammary glands also give this group of animals their name. What group is it?
Mammals
Mammals often have different kinds of teeth, such as incisors, canines, and molars. What is this characteristic called?
Specialized Teeth
Primates have this to manipulate objects and an enhanced grip. This adaptation primarily helps them with what?
Flattened nails instead of claws
Primates have a decreased reliance on this sense, which is more prominent in many other mammals.
Olfaction (Smell)
Instead of laying eggs, most mammals ______________________.
Give birth to live young
How does a four-chambered heart benefit mammals in terms of their metabolism and energy needs?
It separates oxygenated and deoxygenated blood for efficient circulation.
Explain why a large brain relative to body size is an important characteristic for mammals.
It enables complex behaviors, learning, and adaptability.
This allows primates to accurately judge distances and the relative positions of objects in their environment.
Binocular/stereoscopic vision
Why is extended parental care common in primates?
To allow for the learning of complex social behaviors and survival skills.
How does being endothermic (warm-blooded) provide an advantage to mammals?
It allows for activity in a wider range of temperatures and maintains stable bodily functions.
What is the primary function of hair/fur in mammals with feathers in birds regarding temperature regulation?
They provide insulation.
Why are specialized teeth in a herbivorous mammal differ from those in a carnivorous mammal?
Herbivores' teeth are for grinding plants, while carnivores' teeth are for tearing meat.
Explain what is the meaning of endothermic.
They can internally regulate their body temperature independently of the external environment.
How does the diaphragm contribute to mammals?
It enables efficient breathing.
How is extended parental care beneficial for primates?
When primate parents take care of their babies for a long time, it helps the young ones learn important things from their parents and other adults. They learn how to act with others in their group, useful skills (like finding food or staying safe), and even ways of doing things that are special to their group (like traditions). All of this learning helps the group stick together and survive better.
Some mammals lay eggs (monotremes) but still possess mammary glands. Why are they still classified as mammals?
It confirms that the presence of mammary glands, regardless of reproductive method, is the fundamental defining feature that unifies all mammals.
If a mammal loses a significant amount of fur, how might this impact the mammal?
Its ability to retain body heat would be affected.
Why do primates have a large relative brain size?
They have higher cognitive functions, complex problem-solving, and socila intelligence.
Given the characteristics of mammals, what might happen if there is a continuous worldwide cooling?
Mammals will decline. They will move to warmer places (endothermic).
Why do primates have a relatively reduced sense of smell?
They rely more on vision for navigating and finding food.