Fish

What are the series of special nerves that cover the head and sides of the fish?

The lateral line.

What is a parasite?

An animal that takes nutrients from a living host, often harming the host.

What is a scavenger?

Animals that eat dead plants or animals.

What is the tough yet flexible material that provides shape and structure without being stiff called?

Cartilage.

What is the difference between warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals?

Cold-blooded animal's bodies do not stay the same temperature all the time. They become the same temperature as their surroundings.

What is the purpose of a swim bladder?

It is like a balloon that can be filled with air or deflated to help the fish rise or sink in the water.

What are pectoral fins?

Located on the sides behind the mouth, they allow the fish to angle up or down when swimming.

Why do some sharks have to stay in motion?

Sharks cannot contract their throat.

Name some types of cartilaginous fish.

Sharks, rays, lampreys and hagfish.

What is the anal fin?

The fin that points down on the bottom of the fish that keeps the fish from tipping sideways.

What section of the fish's brainis responsible for their sense of smell?

The olfactory lobe.

What part of the fish's brain is responsible for sight?

The optic lobes.

What are pelvic fins?

They are lower down on the fish's body and also help the fish to angle up or down when swimming.

How do cartilaginous fish differ from bony fish?

They do not have bony skeletons.

What makes fish different from other animals?

They live in water, have scales and breathe oxygen from the water using gills.

What is a dorsal fin?

They stick up on the fish's back and keep them from tipping sideways.

What is the caudal fin?

This is the tail fin and it provides the power for forward movement.

How do fish breathe?

Water enters the fish's mouth, is forced over the gills and then exits the fish's body.