2022 Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores

sagittal crest

A bony ridge on the top of the skull to which the jaw muscles are attached.

physical adaptation

A change in some part of the body that helps an organism survive in its environment.

predator definition

An animal that hunts other animals for food.

heterotroph definition

An organism that cannot make its own food and must get its nutrients from other organisms.

prey

An organism that is killed and eaten by another organism.

autotroph

An organism that makes its own food from abiotic/nonliving substances in the environment. PRODUCERS.

herbivore/prey characteristics

Can take in large amounts of food, eyes on side and good vision, and great sense of smell (large nasal passages).

omnivores definition

Consumers that eat both plants and animals. Examples: humans, racoons, pigs, chickens, some fish and insects.

carnivore definition

Consumers that eat only animals.

ruminant

Cud-chewing hoofed mammals that have stomachs divided into four (occasionally three) parts.

incisors

Front teeth used for cutting.

predator characteristics

Good eyesight and forward orbits, large canines, and some have large nasal passages.

carnivore importance

IMPORTANCE: Controlling the population of other animals.

omnivore teeth

Large developed incisors. Have sharp teeth to tear meat and flat molars to crush plant material.

carnassial teeth

Large, sharp-edged teeth that meat-eating mammals have near the back of their jaws, used to slice through meat.

molars

Located at the back of the mouth. Used for grinding food.

omnivore advantage

Most adaptive organisms. Can live in larger range of environment that other consumers. Can vary diets more.

herbivore digestive system

Often have multiple stomachs to help them digest a variety of plant material.

canines

Often the longest, sharpest teeth. Used for stabbing and holding prey.

herbivore definition

Organisms that obtain energy by eating only plants. Primary consumers. First consumer on the food chain. Examples: elephants, horses, rabbits, caterpillars, giraffes.

photoautotrophs

Organisms that use light as a source of energy to photosynthesize and make nutrients.

carnivore teeth

Pointed teeth that lack flat grinding surfaces. Small or less incisors. Large, long incisors.

herbivore teeth

Teeth are designed to rip off plants and grind them with flat molars. Some do not have upper incisors or canines.

auditory bullae (singular - bulla)

The bony parts of a skull that cover structures of the inner and middle ear.

orbits

The bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets.

nasal passages

The hollow spaces in the nose through which air flows.

premolars

The teeth immediately behind the canines; used in chewing, grinding, and shearing food. The bicuspid teeth.

Why do organisms need energy?

To carry out life processes.

ingest

To take into the body by swallowing or absorbing it.

temporal ridge

V-shaped and U-shaped ridges near the front of the skull.