Biology Final - Reptiles
What is the benefit of separation into 2 ventricles?
keeps oxygen rich blood separate from the oxygen-poor blood throughout the heart
What is the benefit of dry, scaly skin in reptiles?
keeps them from losing internal fluids to the air
What is the difference between turtles and tortoises
Turtles that live on land are called Tortoises
What are the major currently living groups of your organisms?
Snakes and lizards(Squatama), Crocodiles and alligators(Crocodilia), turtles and tortoises(Testudinata), Tuataras(Sphenodontia)
Are reptiles protostomes or deuterostomes?
deuterostomes
What special adaptations for reproduction do reptiles have that other groups of organisms don't have?
Internal fertilization for eggs and hard shells that allow them to become adapted to tougher conditions on land
What adaptations do reptiles have that you would consider to be improvements on animals lower on the animal evolutionary tree?
differentiating skull structure, scaly, tough skin, hard eggs
Describe the process of Snakes smelling
A snake flicks its tongue outside its mouth, odor molecules stick to it, and the snake bring the tongue back inside the mouth where the particles stick to saclike structures that sense odors called jacobson's organs. Without Jacobson's organs, snakes would not be able to find prey or mates.
Are reptiles vertebrates or invertebrates?
vertebrates
What is the most sensitive sense in reptiles?
vision, some reptiles have color vision
How many orders do reptiles have?
4
What kind of symmetry do reptiles have?
Bilateral symmetry
What unique behaviors do reptiles have that help them be successful in their niche in the environment?
Camouflage, dispensable tails, system of conservation of water
Are reptiles acoelomate, coelomate, or pseudocoelomate?
Coelomates
Describe the heart of a crocodile
Crocodiles have a 4-chambered heart, which can deliver oxygen quickly and efficiently to their powerful muscles helping them to move aggressively
What is one example of a deviation of reptilian hearts?
Crocodiles, whos septum in the ventricles is incomplete, resulting in a four chambered heart
What is the order for crocodiles and alligators?
Crocodilia
Do reptiles have an endoskeleton or an exoskeleton?
Endoskeleton
What special challenges have reptiles had to overcome to survive in their habitats?
Habitat loss, Introduction of exotic species, pollution, disease
What are some common lizards?
Iguanas, Chameleons, geckos, and anoles
Do reptiles live singly or in groups? If in groups, are they organized into societies like we see in primates and ants?
Most reptiles live singularly
What are some characteristics that allowed reptiles to succeed on land?
Shelled egg, scaly skin, and efficient circulatory and respiratory systems
What is the order for Tuataras?
Sphenodonta
What is the order for snakes and lizards?
Squamata
In what types of habitats are reptiles found?
Terrestrial, freshwater or marine environments
What is the order for Turtles and Tortoises?
Testudines
Why do snakes have the ability to ingest large prey?
The bones of the skull and jaws are loosely joined so that they can spread apart when taking in large food materials.
Describe the process of laying eggs in reptiles?
The female usually digs a hole and lays her eggs in the ground or in plant debris. Most female reptiles leave eggs unattended to hatch.
How do turtles use their mouth parts?
They have a sharp beak that can deliver a powerful bite
Explain the method of water conservation from excretion in reptiles
When urine enters the cloaca, water is reabsorbed to form uric acid, which is a semi-solid excretion, this method of water reabsorption enables reptiles to conserve water and maintain homeostasis of water and minerals within the body.
What are some ways reptiles behaviorally manage body heat?
basking in sun, moving into shade, or even burrowing or going into a state of inactivity with lower body metabolism and lower body temperatures in the winter
What part of reptile brains is larger? Why?
compared to amphibians reptiles have a large Cerebrum, this is because vision and muscle function are more complex
Are reptiles ectotherms or endotherms?
ectotherms
What is the benefit of having lungs with a larger surface area?
more energy can be released through metabolic reactions and made available for more complex movements.
Most reptiles have what feeding habits? what are the exceptions?
most reptiles are carnivores(meat), exceptions include iguanas and tortoises(herbivores) and some turtles(omnivores)
Do reptiles move around or stay in one place?
primarily stay in place, not moving over a great distance
What are some important roles reptiles play in the environment?
reptiles are crucial to the environment in both prey and predator roles. They control populations of many animals, such as rodents. They can also be beneficial is the dispersal of seeds.
Describe the reproductive cycle of reptiles in detail.
reptiles become pregnant through internal fertilization ,and then lay eggs in a hole or in plant debris. The female reptile often does not stay with the eggs to aid in hatching and growth of the young organisms
Do reptiles have internal or external fertilization?
reptiles have internal fertilization.
What adaptations have reptiles evolved to defend against predators?
reptiles have leathery skin that protects them from predators, some species such as snakes or crocodiles have venom or teeth that they use to stun or kill prey
How do reptiles move around the environment?
reptiles move with their limbs sprawled out next to their sides and push against the ground while swinging their bodies from side to side, they also have claws on their toes, with allows them to dig, climb, and grip the ground.
Describe most reptilian hearts
they have 2 separate atria, and one ventricle that is partially divided by an incomplete septum.
What are the 2 methods of killing prey in snakes?
venom that can slow down or kill prey, or constrictors, who suffocate their prey
Do reptiles have segmentation?
yes
Do reptiles possess tissues or not?
yes
