Category: My Classroom Material

Vertebrate Projects

 

Vertebrate Project

 

Choose one of the following activities to turn in at the conclusion of the unit study of vertebrates.

  1. Watch and record a 60 minute program on a vertebrate group. Write a summary of the program, create a worksheet to be answered from the video, and supply a key for the worksheet answers.
  2. Create a portfolio of pictures and descriptions of the most dangerous sharks in the world. Write a report on sharks to include with your portfolio and tell what can be done to avoid shark attack and what should be done if an attack occurs.
  3. Research the migration pattern of one of the following — gray whale, caribou, Arctic wolf, or a species of bats. Include a map of the animal’s migration route, season when the migration occurs, and a description of the animal’s feeding and mating habits.
  4. Construct, on poster board, a phylogenetic tree for a vertebrate group (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, or mammal). Include pictures of the organisms on your tree and write a short paper describe the evolution of this group.
  5. Construct a scrapbook of 20 pictures of one mammal order. Pictures may not be Xeroxed or computer generated! Include the name and a brief description with each picture.
  6. Make a three-dimensional collage of one group of marine vertebrates. The shape of the collage must illustrate something from the marine environment or a marine organism. Include a brief description of the marine environment and organisms you chose for your collage.
  7. Make a photographic album of pictures of birds. (Pictures will not be returned!) Include the common and scientific name & a brief description of each bird.
  8. Read the book, Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson and write a book report.
  9. Build a model of the digestive tract of  an herbivore such as a cow. Be sure to include the dentition and an explanation of how this animal’s digestive tract is adapted to its diet.
  10. Construct a display of the hearts of these 3 vertebrate groups — fish, amphibian, bird or mammal. Use modeling clay to make cross-sections of the hearts showing chambers and valves. Identify all parts of the hearts on your display.

 

Vertebrate Traits

 

Vertebrate Class Adaptations

Traits  Osteichthyes (fish)
 Amphibia

 

 Reptilia

 Aves (birds)

 

 Mammalia
 

Circulation
(How many heart chambers do they have & draw them)

 
Respiration
(What organs work as gas exchange organs?)		  

 

 

 
 

Excretion
(What are the excretory structures & what nitrogenous waste is excreted: ammonia, urea, or uric acid?)

 

  

 

 

 
 

Fertilization
(Where and how does fertilization take place: Internal or External? Courtship behavior?)

 

  

 

 

 

 
 Reproduction (What kind of eggs do they lay? Are they egg or live birth?)  

 

 

 

 
Integument (covering)

 

  

 
 

Care of Young
(Give numbers of young had and then amount of care given.)

 
 

Limbs and Stance

(Draw from the front view how the fins or limbs come out of the animals and what angle they are to the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

Vertebrate Worksheet

 

Vertebrate Worksheet

 

1. In what phylum & kingdom are the vertebrates found?

2. List the classes of vertebrates.

 

3. Discuss the characteristics of chordates & vertebrates.

 

4. What were the 1st vertebrates & describe them?

 

5. Sketch a lamprey & describe the characteristics of this fish. Where are they found?

 

 

6.  Describe a hagfish.

 

7. In what group are lampreys & hagfish found & why?

 

8. Do agnathans have paired fins?

 

9. What were the 1st jawed fish & describe them.

 

10. What are the 2 classes of jawed fish?

11. What is in the class Chondrichthyes & what traits do they have in common.

 

12. Sketch & describe sharks.

 

 

13. Sketch a ray or skate & describe them.

 

 

14. Name the class for bony fish.

 

15. Name the 2 groups of bony fish.

 

16. Give several examples of ray-finned fish & describe them.

 

17. Name 2 lobe-finned fish & describe both of them.

 

18. What was the 1st group of vertebrates to move onto land? What is in this group?

 

19. Describe characteristics of amphibians.

 

20. Amphibians are ectotherms. What does this mean?

 

21. How are amphibians still linked to water?

 

22. What is in the class Reptilia?

 

23. Reptiles do not need water for reproduction. Explain why this is true.

  

24. Describe the amniote egg of reptiles. Include a labeled sketch of the egg.

 

 

25. What reptile group is thought to be the ancestors of mammals?

 

26. What were pterosaurs?

 

27. What 3 groups of retiles are still alive today?

 

28. Describe characteristics of the reptiles.

 

29. How can snakes swallow such large prey?

  

30. What is the purpose of the Jacobson’s organ in snakes?

 

31. What takes the place of teeth in turtles?

 

32. Describe crocodiles & alligators & tell some of their habits.

 

33. What class contains birds?

34. From what did birds probably evolve?

35. What are the distinguishing features of birds?

 

36. Sketch & label the parts of a feature.

 

37. Birds are endotherms. What does this mean?

 

38. Name some flightless birds.

 

39. Name some swimming birds.

 

40. What are the 3 main characteristics of all mammals?

 

41. What in female mammals produces milk?

42. What is mammalian hair made of & give its 4 functions.

 

43. What bones are modified in mammals to help them hear sounds?

44. Name a flying mammal.

45. Give examples of mammals that are herbivores.

46. Give examples of mammals that are carnivores.

47. What mammal is a thinker & toolmaker?

48.Name 7 adaptations of mammals.

 

49.Give examples of monotremes & tell their characteristics. Tell where they are found.

  

50. Give examples of marsupials & tell their characteristics. Tell where most of them are found.

 

51. Most mammals are placentals. What does this mean?

 

52. What is gestation? Do all mammals have the same gestation period?

 

53. What is the purpose of the chorion?

 

54.Name the 12 orders of placental mammals & give an example of an animal in each order.

 

 

 

Virus Model Instructions

Virus Models

Use viral pictures from your textbook or from a website to construct a 3-dimensional model of a virus. Your model must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be 3-dimensional
  • Must show the two main parts of the virus — nucleic acid core & protein coat or capsid
  • Model must have string attached & be ready to hang
  • Must include a label with your the name of the virus, your name, & class period

The following rules for constructing you model must also be followed:

  • Must be light enough & small enough to hang and not “bump” other students heads
  • Must be sturdy (use plenty of glue & securely attach your string)
  • Can’t be made out of food products
  • May not have sharp points (no toothpicks)
  • May not be made of anything flammable (no matches)
  • Should be made of inexpensive materials

Types of viruses that make good models:

 

Bacteriophage

 
Retrovirus

 
HIV Organisation of the HIV-1 Virion

 
Rabies

 
Tobacco Mosaic Virus

 
Adenovirus

 

 

Models will be graded based on the following:

  • Level of difficulty (will receive the most weight in grading)
  • Accuracy
  • Colorfulness
  • Creativity of building materials
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