A screencast tutorial which describes the major characteristics of animals with backbones called vertebrates. [1:38]
Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the important difference between the life cycle of amphibians and the life cycles of other vertebrates
Distinguish between the characteristics of Urodela, Anura, and Apoda
Describe the evolutionary history of amphibians
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the evolutionary history of birds
Describe the derived characteristics in birds that facilitate flight
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the distinguishing characteristics of chordates
Identify the derived characters of craniates that sets them apart from other chordates
Describe the developmental fate of the notochord in vertebrates
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the difference between jawless and jawed fishes
Discuss the distinguishing features of sharks and rays compared to other modern fishes
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Name and describe the distinguishing features of the three main groups of mammals
Describe the likely line of evolutionary descent that produced mammals
List some derived features that may have arisen in response to mammals’ need for constant, high-level metabolism
Identify the major clades of eutherian mammals
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the main characteristics of amniotes
Explain the difference between anapsids, synapsids, and diapsids, and give an example of each
Identify the characteristics of reptiles
Discuss the evolution of reptiles
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the derived features that distinguish primates from other animals
Describe the defining features of the major groups of primates
Identify the major hominin precursors to modern humans
Explain why scientists are having difficulty determining the true lines of descent in hominids
Overview of the characteristics and classification of chordates.
A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.
Discusses three types of reproductive strategies for vertebrates.
A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.
A site on the disorders of the digestive system and on the similarities and differences between the digestion of birds and ruminants.
Has a large group of vertebrate fossil pictures, a guide on preparing fossils, and much more.
In this activity, students design an innovative human shelter that is inspired and informed by an animal structure. Each group is assigned an animal class, and they gather information about shelters used by the animals in that class. After researching the topic and brainstorming ideas, students build small prototypes (models) of the structures. Finally, they present their products, explaining what attribute of the animal structure influenced their design.
Explore the biodiversity of the Class Amphibia through videos, photos and examples. [2:34]
Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology Roberta Muehlheim shows us some of her favorite skeletons in this fascinating collection and talks about her important research in conserving amphibian populations in Ohio. Worksheet available for grades 5-6.
