28 Study Guide

Structure and Function

Nervous systems collect and process information from the environment and coordinate the responses of muscular, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems, so that animals can maintain homeostasis and reproduce.

28.1 Response

When an animal responds to a stimulus, body systems work together to generate a response.

Animal nervous systems exhibit different degrees of cephalization and specialization.

Sensory systems range from individual sensory neurons to sense organs.

  • neuron (808)

  • motor neuron (809)

  • stimulus (808)

  • ganglion (810)

  • sensory neuron (808)

  • cerebrum (811)

  • interneuron (809)

  • cerebellum (811)

  • response (809)

28.2 Movement and Support

Animals have three main kinds of skeletal systems: hydrostatic skeletons, exoskeletons, and endoskeletons.

In many animals, muscles work together in pairs or groups that are attached to different parts of a supporting skeleton.

  • hydrostatic skeleton (814)

  • joint (816)

  • exoskeleton (815)

  • ligament (816)

  • molting (815)

  • tendon (816)

  • endoskeleton (815)

28.3 Reproduction

Asexual reproduction requires only one parent, so individuals may reproduce rapidly. But offspring produced asexually have less genetic diversity than do offspring produced sexually. Sexual reproduction maintains genetic diversity in a population by creating individuals with new combinations of genes.

During internal fertilization, eggs are fertilized inside the body of the egg-producing individual. During external fertilization, eggs are fertilized outside the body.

Animals may be oviparous, ovoviviparous, or viviparous.

Reptiles, birds, and a few mammals have evolved amniotic eggs in which an embryo can develop without drying out. Mammals differ greatly in their means of reproduction and development, but all nourish their young with mother's milk.

  • oviparous (822)

  • nymph (823)

  • ovoviviparous (822)

  • pupa (823)

  • viviparous (822)

  • amniotic egg (825)

  • placenta (822)

  • mammary gland (825)

  • metamorphosis (823)

28.4 Homeostasis

All body systems work together to maintain homeostasis.

Most reptiles, invertebrates, fishes, and amphibians are ectotherms that regulate body temperature primarily by picking up heat from, or losing heat to, their environment. Endotherms, such as birds and mammals, have high metabolic rates that generate heat, even when they are resting.

  • endocrine gland (828)

  • endotherm (829)

  • ectotherm (829)

Think Visually Fill in the following concept map.

A concept map on Body Temperature.dd


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Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology UNIT 1 The Nature of Life UNIT 2 Ecology UNIT 3 Cells UNIT 4 Genetics UNIT 5 Evolution UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants UNIT 7 Animals UNIT 8 The Human Body A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life Appendices Glossary Index Credits