Created by: Carrie RheinHazelwood Central High School

Teacher Page Activity

Teacher Page• The learner will be able to classify living things into groups based on

structure.• The learner will be able to understand that organisms are classified

according to their structural similarities which mirror their evolutionary relationships.

• The teacher can use this production to show similarities and differences in vertebrates.

• The students should use science journals to write in answers as the teacher proceeds through the program.

• The teacher should use this as an introduction to vertebrates and seize the opportunities to have class participation by leading a guided discussion.

VERTEBRATE CLASSIFICATIONWrite these questions and try to answer them

to the best of your ability in your science journal!

• 1. What is the kingdom in which all vertebrates are classified?

• 2. What is the phylum in which all vertebrates are classified?

• 3. What is the subphylum in which all vertebrates are classified?

Why am I a vertebrate, and how am I like fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals?

BEARDED DRAGON

ALL VERTEBRATES BELONG TO THESE CATEGORIES:

• KINGDOM ANIMALIA• PHYLUM CHORDATA• SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA

TALKING IGUANA

• backbone• bilateral symmetry• coelomate animals that have endoskeleton• closed circulatory system• efficient respiratory system• complex brain and nervous system

As a green iguana, let me tell you all thecharacteristics that Vertebrates share. They are:

5 Major Groups

FIVE MAJOR GROUPS OF VERTEBRATAES

Create a chart with Fish, Amphibians, Birds, Reptiles, and Mammals at the top in your science journal. Under each heading write their characteristics!Click on each

underlined group to learn more!

Fish

Amphibians

Birds

Reptiles

Mammals

Fish

• 3 Types 1.Jawless (ex.-Lamprey, hagfish) 2.Cartlaginous Fishes(ex.-shark) 3.Bony Fishes(ex.-tuna, jack)• Ectotherms- body temperature is dependent

on the surroundings.• 2 chambered heart• Have gills

Amphibians“DOUBLE-LIFE”

• Examples- Frogs, Toads, Salamanders.• As adults, they live on land, but rely on water for

breeding and egg development.• All go through metamorphosis, in which the young

gradually lose their tails and gills and develop legs, lungs, and other adult structures.

• Ectotherms- body temperature is dependent on the surroundings.

• 3 chambered heart

Reptiles

• Examples-snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and alligators.

• Ectotherms- body temperature is dependent on the surroundings.

• Most have 3 chambered heart, but crocodiles have a 4 chambered heart.

• Have lungs• scaly skin reduces loss of body moisture on land.• Have amniotic egg- embryo in amniotic fluid.

Birds

• Have feathers.• Forelimbs modified into wings.• Have amniotic egg- embryo in amniotic fluid.• Incubate eggs in nests.• Endotherms-animals that maintain a constant body

temperature.• Have thin hollow bones enabling flight.• Have lungs.

• Examples- Humans, Dogs, Cats, Kangaroo ect.• Endotherms-animals that maintain a constant body

temperature.• 4 chambered heart• Have mammary glands• Have lungs• Have hair for insulation

• 3 Types of Mammals

Mammals

3 Types of Mammals

3 Types of Mammals

• Monotremes- lay eggs (example-platypus)

• Marsupials- young develop in pouch of mother.(example-kangaroo, koala)

• Placental-carry young inside the uterus until development is nearly complete.

(example-humans, dogs, cats) REVIEW

As an amphibian, an

Argentine Horned Frog,

let’s review the

characteristics of

vertebrates!

ARE YOU READY?BEGIN REVIEW

Please write in your science journal! What are the

characteristics of all vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds,

and mammals)?• ____________________________• ____________________________• ____________________________• ____________________________• ____________________________• ____________________________

MORE REVIEW !

A Review of VertebratesWrite the answers in your

science journal!• What kingdom do all vertebrates belong?• _____________________• What phylum?• _____________________• What subphylum?• _____________________

THE LAST REVIEW PAGE!

PLEASE WRITE THE ANSWERS IN JOURNALS!

• What is a characteristic that birds and mammals share?

• What are three major differences between birds and reptiles?

• How would you compare and contrast fish, the most primitive vertebrate, and mammals, the most complex vertebrate?