Comparing anatomical structures across vertebrate groups for general biology audiences.
34 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What does homologous structure mean?
- A structure in different species from a common ancestor, with similar arrangement but different functions.
- Give an example of homologous structures.
- Whale forelimbs, bat wings, and human arms (same bone structure, different functions).
- What is an analogous structure?
- Structures in different species that function similarly but evolved independently from different ancestral structures.
- Give an example of analogous structures.
- Bird wings and insect wings (both for flight, evolved from different tissues).
- What makes up the vertebral column?
- Vertebrae, stacked bony or cartilaginous segments.
- How many heart chambers does a fish have?
- Two, one atrium and one ventricle.
- What do fish use for gas exchange?
- Gills, feathery structures that extract dissolved oxygen from water.
- What are fish fins used for?
- Steering, balance, and movement through water.
- How do adult amphibians breathe?
- Through both lungs and skin via cutaneous respiration.
- What type of limbs do amphibians have?
- Four limbs that evolved from fish fins, used for movement on land.
- How many heart chambers does an amphibian have?
- Three, two atria and one ventricle.
- How do amphibian eggs differ from reptile eggs?
- Amphibian eggs lack protective shells and must be laid in water or wet places.
- What type of scales do reptiles have?
- Keratinous scales made of keratin for waterproof protection.
- How many heart chambers does a reptile have?
- Three, with crocodilians having a partial fourth chamber septum.
- What allows reptiles to live on land unlike amphibians?
- The amniotic egg with protective shell and internal membranes.