The Scientist

Here are the study guide answers for the science assessment tomorrow.

1. What is a vertebrate? An animal with a backbone is classified as a vertebrate. One example would be a dog.

2. What is an invertebrate? An animal without a backbone is classified as an invertebrate. One example would be an insect.

3. What are the names of the groups used to classify animals?
Vertebrates: Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Fish
Invertebrates: arthropods, annelids (only need to know they don't have a backbone)

4. How do scientists classify plants?  Scientists begin by classifying plants as vascular or non vascular. Vascular plants are then classified further as seed producing/non-seed producing.

5. What is the difference between a vascular and non vascular plant? A vascular plant has tubes that transport food, water, and nutrients to the rest of the plant. (Extra information - These tubes are called xylem and phloem.) Non vascular plants lack a system to transport water and food and grow very close to the ground in order to absorb water from the ground.

6.  Some people thing that whales are classified as fish. What is this incorrect? Whales are mammals that live in water. They are mammals because they breathe air, have live young, and a warm-blooded. Fish lay eggs, breathe through gills, and are cold-blooded. It is a common mistake for people to be confused because they assume that animals that live in the same environment are all the same.

7. What is a dichotomous key? A dichotomous key is an organization system that is used by scientist to classify organisms. Scientists as a series of mutually exclusive questions in order to find out how to organize the organisms into groups.

8. What characteristics do scientists use to classify insects? Scientist classify insects based on their body structures and ability to fly.

9. What is the difference between a plant and an animal? Plants are able to make their own food, and they are classified as vascular (seed producer/non seed producer)/nonvascular. Animals are classified as vertebrates or invertebrates based on their bone structure.

10. What is the difference between a bird and a bat? A bat is a mammal because it gives birth to live young. Birds lay eggs. People often get confused by this classification because both of these animals can fly.