Possible Essay Questions for Bio 11 Final Exam Avery

Final Exam will be half comprehensive (questions from  previous exams and quizzes) and half new material.
Echinodermata

Explain the function of the water vascular system.

Explain the hypothetical evolutionary relationship between chordata and echinodermata

Compare and contrast a protostome with a deuterostome (an Earthworm and an Echinoderm perhaps)

Explain the process of locomotion in a sea star.

Compare and contrast the morphological attributes of Echinoidea and Holothuroidea (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea)

*Remember to review the diagrams of sea star water vascular system.

Life at the Edge of the Sea

Possible Questions projected prior to show.

Vertebrate Evolution

Compare and contrast two possible invertebrate ancestors to the Phylum Chordata.

Describe (structure and function) five distinct ("hallmark") characteristics found in all chordates.

Why is an adult tunicate considered a chordate if it doesn't have the above characteristics?

How did primitive fishes differ from their possible Amphioxus -like ancestors?

Fishes

Compare and contrast two of the following (Myxini, Cephalospidomorphi, Chondrichthyes, Actinopterygii, Sarcopterygii).

Compare and contrast the process of maintaining neutral buoyancy in Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii.

Describe (explain special organs) three ways a shark senses its surroundings.

Amphibians

Describe four characteristics shared by all amphibians that distinguish them from fishes.

Briefly explain three challenging aspects and associated adaptations found in amphibians associated with the evolutionary/ecological transition from water to land.

Compare and contrast two of the following (Anura, Gymnophiona, Caudata).

Describe the life cycle of a frog (or salamander).

Provide and explain two advantages and/or two disadvantages that small-bodied terrestrial vertebrate ectotherms have when compared with a small-bodied vertebrate entotherms.

Reptiles and Birds

Describe four characteristics shared by reptiles that distinguish them from amphibians.

Briefly explain the relationships between modern classes of vertebrates and the primitive groups: anapsida, diapsida and synapsida.

Distinguish between Ornithischia and Saurischia and identify from which group birds are believed to have evolved.

Compare and contrast two of the following (Amphibia, Caudata, Sauria, Amphisbaenia, Crocodilia, Sphenodonta, Aves).

Explain three adaptations in birds that facilitate flight.

Briefly explain how birds achieve lift (in the aerodynamic sense).

Briefly explain how avian respiration differs from mammalian respiration.

Mammals

Compare and contrast reptiles and mammals.

Briefly discuss three characteristics of all mammals that uniquely distinguish them from all reptiles.

What evidence is there to support the hypothesis that mammals evolved from egg-laying ancestors?

Define heterodont, give an example.

Be prepared to distinguish the various orders of mammals by providing a brief description and common names of members or providing the name of the order if given a brief description and common names (i.e., bats, dolphins, etc.).