What's the Big idea
What type of data did scientists use to study chytrid outbreaks
Climate Data
What is the name of the deadly fungus that infects amphibians?
Chytrid (or Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis / Bd).
Amphibians have smooth, thin, moist skin that lacks what?
scales
What type of skin do amphibians have?
Smooth, thin, moist
What is the name of the aquatic larval stage of a frog?
tadpole
What were scientists trying to predict using climate data?
The severity (or intensity) of chytrid outbreaks.
What does “fungal load” measure?
The amount of fungus on a frog.
What is the term for breathing through the skin?
Cutaneous respiration.
What hormone controls metamorphosis in amphibians?
Thyroxine.
What is the name of the packet of sperm used for internal fertilization in many salamanders?
Spermatophore.
Why was using climate data important in this study?
Because it allowed scientists to predict where severe outbreaks would occur.
What happens when fungal load increases?
Infection becomes more severe (or outbreaks are more severe).
What type of body temperature regulation do amphibians have, and what does that mean?
They are ectothermic (poikilothermic), meaning their body temperature depends on the environmental temperature.
Why must amphibian eggs be laid in water?
(They lack protective shells.)
Why must amphibian eggs be laid in water or moist areas?
Because their eggs lack complex membranes or shells and have jelly-like coverings.
How is this article different from one that simply describes frogs dying from disease?
It explains how scientists used climate data and modeling to predict outbreak severity, not just describe the problem.
How does chytrid harm amphibians?
It infects and damages their skin, disrupting normal function (especially respiration).
How many chambers does an adult amphibian heart have?
Three chambers.
How many chambers does an larva amphibian heart have?
2
Name one major difference between amphibian larvae and adults during metamorphosis.
Larvae use gills; adults use lungs (and/or skin).
Larvae have a two-chambered heart; adults have a three-chambered heart.
Larvae are herbivorous; adults are carnivorous.
Complete this sentence:
The author wrote this article to explain how __________ so that __________.
Scientists used climate data to predict outbreak severity so that conservation efforts could be more effective (or frogs could be protected).
Why is a skin fungus especially dangerous for amphibians?
Because amphibians breathe through their skin, so skin damage disrupts respiration.
How does having thin, permeable skin make amphibians more vulnerable to chytrid disease?
Because the fungus infects the skin, disrupting respiration and water balance.
Why does having moist, permeable skin make amphibians more sensitive to environmental changes?
Because their skin absorbs water and gases directly, so pollutants, disease, or dry conditions can affect them quickly.
How does amphibian reproduction increase their vulnerability to environmental threats?
Their jelly-like eggs lack protective shells and must be laid in water or moist environments, making them more exposed to disease and environmental changes.