Biology Final - Vertebrates

The correct answer is lobe-finned and ray-finned fishes. This is because lobe-finned fishes, such as lungfish and coelacanths, have fleshy, lobed fins that are supported by a series of bones, while ray-finned fishes, which make up the majority of fish species, have fins that are supported by bony rays. This classification is based on the anatomical structure of their fins, which is a key characteristic used to differentiate between different groups of fishes.

The kidneys are responsible for removing metabolic wastes from the blood in fish. The kidneys filter waste products such as ammonia, urea, and carbon dioxide from the bloodstream and excrete them as urine. This process helps to maintain the proper balance of chemicals and fluids in the fish's body. The pancreas is involved in the production of digestive enzymes, the small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food, and the anus is the opening through which waste materials are expelled from the body.

Jawless fishes are different from jawed fishes because they lack paired fins. Paired fins are a characteristic feature of jawed fishes, which include both bony fishes and cartilaginous fishes. Paired fins, such as pectoral and pelvic fins, provide stability, maneuverability, and control during swimming. In contrast, jawless fishes, such as lampreys and hagfishes, have unpaired fins, which are not divided into two distinct halves like paired fins. Instead, they have a single, continuous fin along the body. This is one of the key differences between jawless and jawed fishes.

The correct answer is larval urochordate > cephalochordate > jawless fishes > jawed fishes > bony fishes. This sequence is based on the evolutionary progression of vertebrates from invertebrate chordates. Urochordates, such as sea squirts, are the closest relatives of vertebrates. Cephalochordates, like lancelets, are primitive chordates that resemble early vertebrates. Jawless fishes, such as lampreys and hagfishes, are the earliest known vertebrates. Jawed fishes, including sharks and rays, evolved later. Finally, bony fishes, which include most modern fish species, are the most advanced group of vertebrates.

The intestines of a fish are responsible for the processes of chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients. Chemical digestion refers to the breakdown of food into smaller molecules through the action of enzymes, while absorption of nutrients involves the uptake of these smaller molecules into the bloodstream for use by the fish's body. This is an essential function for the fish to obtain the necessary nutrients from its diet and support its overall health and growth.

The scales of a cartilaginous fish like sharks are called dermal denticles, which resemble teeth and feel like sandpaper. This means that all of the statements are correct. Dermal denticles are specialized scales that provide protection and reduce drag in the water. They have a tooth-like structure and a rough texture, similar to sandpaper, which helps sharks swim more efficiently and navigate through the water.

The Order Chelonia is a taxonomic group that includes turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. These are all reptiles that belong to the same order due to their shared characteristics and evolutionary history. Crocodiles, alligators, and dinosaurs are not included in this order.

The term "viviparous" refers to an organism whose offspring develops internally and receives nutrients from the mother. This means that the offspring is born alive and fully formed, rather than hatching from an egg like in oviparous organisms. Oviviparious refers to organisms that lay eggs but retain them inside the body until they hatch, while oviparous refers to organisms that lay eggs externally. Therefore, the correct answer is viviparous.

Amphibians use the tympanum and columella to sense vibrations on land. The tympanum is a thin, circular membrane located on the side of the head, and it acts as the eardrum. When sound waves hit the tympanum, it vibrates and transfers these vibrations to the columella, which is a small bone connected to the inner ear. The columella then transmits the vibrations to the inner ear, allowing the amphibian to detect and interpret sounds in their environment.

The spiral valve is a corkscrew-shaped structure that increases the surface area of the shark intestine. This allows for more efficient absorption of nutrients from the digested food. The spiral shape of the valve creates a longer pathway for the food to travel through, maximizing the contact between the food and the intestinal walls. This increases the absorption surface area, allowing the shark to extract more nutrients from its food.

The order Caudata includes salamanders and newts. This is because salamanders and newts belong to the order Caudata, which is a group of amphibians known for their long tails and ability to regenerate lost body parts. Frogs and toads belong to the order Anura, while caecilians belong to the order Gymnophiona. Therefore, the correct answer is salamanders and newts.

Lampreys are members of the class Cephalospidomorphi.

The sensory organs in sharks that sense electrical fields are called ampullae of Lorenzi. These organs are located in the shark's snout and are sensitive to electrical currents produced by other animals. They help sharks detect prey, navigate, and communicate with other sharks. The ampullae of Lorenzi contain specialized cells that can detect even the smallest electrical signals, allowing sharks to locate hidden or camouflaged prey in their environment.

Ostracoderms are considered to be the earliest vertebrates in the fossil record. They were primitive jawless fishes that lived during the Paleozoic era. Ostracoderms had a bony armor covering their bodies, which provided protection. They lacked jaws and had a simple structure, with a notochord instead of a backbone. Ostracoderms eventually became extinct, but they played a significant role in the evolution of vertebrates, as they were the first animals to possess a true skeleton.

Frogs are known for their poisonous glands, which produce toxins as a defense mechanism. These toxins can be harmful or even deadly to predators. Therefore, the presence of non-poisonous glands would be a characteristic that is not typically associated with frogs.

Ichthyosaurs and Pleisosaurs are swimmers because they are both extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era. Ichthyosaurs were fish-like reptiles with streamlined bodies and fins, while Pleisosaurs were large aquatic reptiles that resembled modern-day seals. Both species were well-adapted to life in the water, with streamlined bodies, powerful tails, and flipper-like limbs, allowing them to swim efficiently and hunt for prey underwater. Their fossil remains and anatomical features provide evidence of their aquatic lifestyle, confirming that they were indeed swimmers.

The frog's circulatory system contains a three-chambered heart, which means it has two atria and one ventricle. This allows for the separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to some extent. The circulatory system in frogs is also a double circuit system, meaning that the blood passes through the heart twice in each complete circuit. This allows for efficient oxygenation of the blood and delivery of oxygen to the body tissues.

The correct answer is the presence of a lateral line system in sharks. The lateral line system is a sensory organ found in cartilaginous fishes like sharks. It consists of a series of fluid-filled canals and sensory cells that detect changes in water pressure and vibrations in the surrounding environment. This system helps sharks to locate prey, navigate, and detect potential threats in their surroundings. Bony fishes, on the other hand, do not have a lateral line system.