Download Vertebrates Review Sheet

Vertebrates Review Sheet With Answers
General Knowledge
What distinguishes the vertebrates from other organisms? (vertebral column)
What is a closed circulatory system? (blood circulates through the organism’s entire body
through the use of blood vessels)
Which types of animals use amniotic eggs as part of their reproduction? (reptiles, birds,
mammals)
What is an exotherm? (get their body heat from the environment)
What is an endotherm? (get’s body heat from the environment using metabolism)
Fishes
What are the distinguishing characteristics of fishes? (jaw, paired fins, scales, gills,
single-loop circulation)
What are fins used for? (balance the body, control the direction of movements, move the
body through the water)
What are gills used for? (receive oxygen into their blood by diffusion, exchange gases)
What does the lateral line system allow fish to do? (remain upright, detect movement in
the water)
How do most fishes care for their offspring? (they don’t)
Amphibians
What are the characteristics of most amphibians? (moist skin, aquatic larvae)
What do frogs use to exchange gases and water? (skin)
Describe the frog’s metamorphosis in terms of their breathing and eating habits?
What kind of circulatory system to amphibians have? (Double loop)
What is the difference between frogs and toads? (frogs have moist, smooth skin, while
toads have bumpy, dry skin)
Reptiles
What are some representative species of reptiles?
What are the eating habits of most reptiles? (herbivore/carnivore, primary/secondary
consumer) (carnivore, secondary consumer)
Are reptiles endothermic or exothermic? (exothermic)
What does dry, leathery skin do for reptiles? (keeps their insides moist)
How do reptiles reproduce? (internal fertilization, lay eggs in a nest)
Birds
What are two characteristics that distinguish birds from other vertebrates? (have feathers,
can fly)
What are a bird’s adaptations for flight? (endothermy, feathers, light-weight bones)
Why are two ventricles important? (helps keep oxygen-rich blood separate from oxygenpoor blood)
How does the respiratory system support flight? (stores more air than a reptile, has oneway circulation)
Why do birds preen their feathers? (to repair separations, spread oil to waterproof)
Mammals
What are some representative species of mammals? (monkeys, people, elephants…)
What are some distinguishing characteristics of mammals? (hair, mammary glands,
endothermic systems)
What kind of heart do mammals have? (4 chambered)