Writers Den

University of Phoenix Material

Vertebrates
and Invertebrates Worksheet

PART 1: Comparevertebrates and invertebrates.

Directions: In the graphic
below, compare vertebrates and invertebrates by:

• Create a list of 5 characteristics that make
  vertebrate and invertebrates different
• Create a list of 5 characteristics that make
  vertebrate and invertebrates similar

differences	similarities
Vertebrates have a bony endoskeleton enclosing the spinal column, whereas Invertebrates have a hard exoskeleton with chitin.	Both Vertebrates and Invertebrates belong to the same Kingdom – Animalia.
Vertebrates have a more developed organ system and nervous system, divided into the central and peripheral nervous system, while Invertebrates lack a complex nervous system which makes these organisms to be generally slow.	Both Vertebrates and Invertebrates have a notochord that runs through the length of their bodies during the embryonic stage.
Vertebrates have a closed circulatory system, with blood circulating in blood vessels, whereas Invertebrates have an open circulatory system.	Both Vertebrates and Invertebrates have a bilateral symmetry which divides these organisms into right and left halves.
Vertebrates have a bilateral symmetry which divides these organisms into right and left halves that mirror each other and have a front and back end, whereas Invertebrates have both bilateral and radial symmetry which is simply a circular shape arranged around a central mouth.	Both the Vertebrates and Invertebrates fall in the same Phylum – Chordata
Vertebrates are big in size and develop much faster because of the presence of a more developed support system. On the other hand, Invertebrates are smaller in size and slow in motion because they lack effective ways to support them.	Both Vertebrates and Invertebrates grow and are motile.

PART TWO: Answer each of the following questions
in 350-525 words.

1.
Your
text offers evidence of evolution including: the fossil record, biogeography,
comparative anatomy, comparative embryology, and molecular biology. In your
opinion, which of these provides the strongest evidence for evolution? Which
provides the weakest argument for evolution?

·
Molecular Biology

Life shares a
common ancestor; all living organisms are alike and are made up of cells with
membranes containing genetic materials, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.
Different species share genetic homologies. For instance, Roundworms share 25%
of their genes with humans, suggesting a common ancestry. The DNA and RNA have
a simple four base code in all living organisms linking all life on Earth to a
common ancestry.

·
Biogeography

Biogeography
explains how species are distributed across Earth. Charles Darwin observed that
animals of the Galapagos Islands were very similar to animals on the South
American mainland but different to animals on other islands. Darwin concluded
that animals on Galapagos Island had migrated from South America and adapted to
the new environment.

·
Comparative Anatomy

Organisms that are
related to each other will have similar features. Just like apes, humans have
arms, a mouth, a nose and two legs. This similarity is called homology. Mammals
have similar skeletal elements in their forelimbs; the difference is how the
forelimb is used. This indicates that we once shared a common ancestral origin
with a similar structure, but over time each organism’s forelimb evolved to
suit in different environments.

·
Comparative Embryology

Organisms show
similar structures during embryonic stage of development, suggesting a common
ancestry. For example, all vertebrate embryos have a tail at some point during
development.

·
Fossil Record

Fossil record
informs us how species have changed over time, providing evidence for the
common ancestor origin. Darwin’s theory relies on very small changes in
organisms which slowly accumulate, changing the organism until it eventually
becomes new species. However, fossil record doesn’t give a very good record of
the past as not more intermediate forms have been found. Additionally,
transitional fossils only occur in small populations subjecting fossil records
as an evidence of evolution to great scientific controversy.

In my own opinion,
fossil recordprovides the weakest
evidence for evolution, while Molecular
Biology emerging as the strongest evidence supporting evolution.

2. Identify
a plant or animal species in your neighborhood. How is it perfectly adapted to
its environment? What would happen if you transplanted your species to a
different environment?

Cacti Plant

Cacti are
xerophytes which are plants adapted to dry climatic conditions. The cactus has
several features which enables it to adapt to the harsh dry conditions. The
adaptations include:

·
Thick
cuticle to decrease the rate of transpiration so as to conserve water within
its tissues.

·
The
cactus has well developed mesophyll tissues to decrease the intensity of light
reaching the plant.

·
Well
developed sclerenchyma tissues which provide mechanical strength to cell walls
preventing tissues from collapsing during extreme drought.

·
The
cactus has small needle-like leaves with spiky hairs on the surface to reduce
air flow reducing the rate of transpiration.

·
The
plant secretes resins and waxes to reduce transpiration, helping it conserve
water.

·
Presence
of sunken stomata on the bottom of the leaf surface surrounded by hairs, this
reduces diffusion gradient making evaporation less likely to occur.

If the cactus was
to be transplanted to a different environment, it would either adapt to the new
environment by modifying certain features to fit in or fail to adapt to the new
environment and die. As Charles Darwin puts it, the strong species will adapt
and survive while the weak species will fail to adapt and die, obeying the law
of ‘Natural Selection.’

APA-formatted
citation

Richards, O. W.,
& Davies, R. G. (1977). General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 2:Classification and Biology. Berlin,
Springer.

Kardeng, K. V.
(1998). Vertebrates, Comparative Anatomy,
Function, Evolution. (2^nd ed). USA: Mc – Graw, Hill.

Christopher, J. et al. (2001). Asian Palaenthropology: From Africa to China and Beyond. New
York, NY: Springer.

Clark, S. et al. (1999). Human Origins: The fossil
record. Waveland Press, Prospect Heights.

Donald, P. (2007). Evolution: What the Fossil Say and Why it Matters. Columbia University Press