1.3.4

Vertebrates

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Vertebrates

Animals can be divided into vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates have a backbone, and can be further divided into five classes.

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Mammals

  • Mammals have mammary (milk) glands, sweat glands and give birth to live young.
  • They also have four limbs and hair or fur.
  • Humans, dolphins and bears are mammals.
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Birds

  • Birds have feathers, two wings and two legs (which have scales).
  • They lay hard-shelled eggs on land and they have lightweight bones.
  • Penguins, sparrows and eagles are birds.
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Reptiles

  • Reptiles lay waterproof eggs on land and, excluding snakes, have four limbs.
  • They have dry, scaly skin.
  • Crocodiles, turtles and chameleons are reptiles.
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Amphibians

  • Amphibians lay eggs covered in jelly, in water.
  • They have moist scale-less skin, often have webbed feet, and perform gas exchange through their lungs and skin.
  • Newts and frogs are amphibians.
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Fish

  • Fish have scales, fins and a lateral line (a line that runs down the middle of their bodies).
  • They have gills for gas exchange in water.
  • Sharks, salmon and clownfish are all fish.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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