BJU Biology, Chapter 18B: Amphibians

amphibian

An animal goes through metamorphosis and lives part of its life in the water and part on land (though some may spend their entire life in water). Examples include frogs, salamanders, and caecilians.

tetrapod

An animal in a vertebrate class that typically has four limbs (most vertebrates besides fish).

estivate

Some animals enter this period of dormancy in response to high temperatures and arid conditions.

hibernate

Some animals enter this state of inactivity and extremely low metabolism during cold temperatures.

salamander

A tailed amphibian in the order Caudata.

cloaca

A common opening for the digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some mammals (F in diagram).

caecilian

A legless amphibian belonging to the order Gymnophiona. These resemble a large earthworm but have vertebrae, a closed circulatory system, and jaws.

frog

A short-bodied, tailless amphibian in the order Anura.

amplexus

The physical contact of a male and female amphibian that stimulates the female to release eggs into water followed by the male releasing sperm to externally fertilize the eggs.

central nervous system

The portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system

The portion of the nervous system consisting of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.