Animals range from tiny, simple organisms to large and complex ones. Despite this diversity, they share important traits that distinguish them from organisms in other kingdoms. This lesson explores those shared traits, the specialized tissues found in most animals, and how animals reproduce and develop.
All animals are eukaryotic and multicellular. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound structures. Most animals also have specialized tissues, and most are capable of movement during at least one stage of life.
All flashcards
What is a tissue?
A tissue is a collection of similar cells with a common embryonic origin that perform specialized functions.
What are the four main animal tissue types?
Nervous, muscle, connective, and epithelial tissue. They respectively transmit impulses, contract, support or transport, and cover surfaces.
What is a zygote?
A zygote is the first cell of a new organism, formed when male and female gametes unite during fertilization.
How do complete and incomplete metamorphosis differ?
In complete metamorphosis, an animal passes through larval stages that differ greatly from the adult. In incomplete metamorphosis, young generally resemble adults and pass through stages separated by molts.
What is parthenogenesis?
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into offspring.
Quiz questions
How do animals typically obtain nutrients and energy?Answer: They ingest living or dead organic matter as heterotrophs.
Which animal tissue transmits nerve impulses?Answer: Nervous tissue, which contains neurons.
What forms when sperm and egg unite during fertilization?Answer: A zygote, the first cell of a new organism.
A young insect resembles a small adult and develops through stages separated by molts. Which pattern does this describe?Answer: Incomplete metamorphosis.
In deuterostomes, what does the blastopore develop into?Answer: The anus; the mouth forms later.
Based on Concepts of Biology by Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.