Let’s see how you did! If you didn’t get a few of these, don’t let it stress you out – it just means you need to play with more experiments in this area. We’re all works in progress, and we have our entire lifetime to puzzle together the mysteries of the universe!
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Answers:
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- What does it mean when we say an animal is endothermic? The animal maintains the same body temperature inside regardless on the temperature outside.
- What are three things about birds’ bodies that make them well-designed for flight? They have lightweight bones, have cavities filled with air, and have wings
- Why doesn’t an eagle need to flap its wings as much as a sparrow? The longer wingspan of the eagle allows it to glide.
- How do the color of bird eggs help them avoid being eaten by predators? When eggs are camouflaged, predators are less likely to see them.
- Why is it beneficial for a brood parasite to have a shorter incubation time than its host? If the parasite is born first, the host will care for it at the expense of its own offspring.
- How does incubation differ in monogamous and polygamous species? In polygamous species, one sex usually does the incubation alone. In monogamous species, the responsibility is shared.
- What is the significance of fledging for the parental care of most species of birds? Parental care usually ends once the bird has fledged
- What explains the differences in beaks amongst different types of birds? Different beaks are designed for eating different types of foods.
- Describe the feet of birds living in the wetlands. These feet tend to be long with space between the toes.
- How do birds keep the same migration pattern every year? Birds remember key natural landmarks or follow the path of the sun.
- How can chickens be early predictors of West Nile Virus? Chickens tend to get the disease before humans, so they can let officials know that a human outbreak is coming.
- What is the purpose of mammary glands in mammals? To provide milk for offspring.
- What group of mammals lay eggs? The monotremes
- What does the placenta do? Provides nourishment for the fetus and eliminates toxins and the fetus develops
- What is true of all the animals in the ungulate group? They have hoofed feet
- How are the teeth of carnivores different than herbivores? Carnivore teeth tend to be sharp, while herbivore teeth have flat tops.
- What is meant by the idea “form follows function?” Parts of an animal look a certain way base on what they are used for.
- What are two ways that mammals help people? Possible answers include bomb and drug-sniffing dogs, guide dogs, dolphins assisting divers and locating mines, or animals used for food and transportation.
- What does it mean to have an opposable thumb? Opposable thumbs can touch the other four fingers.
- What is the main method of communication in primates? Primates communicate mainly visually.
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