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Reptiles: Section 2 Characteristics of Reptiles

Snakes have one lung compared to turtles which have two lungs. Crocodiles have two separate ventricles in their heart unlike lizards, snakes and turtles which have one ventricle divided by tissue. Reptiles are ectothermic meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature unlike endothermic mammals and birds which generate their own body heat through metabolism. Methods of reproduction in reptiles include oviparity where eggs are laid and develop outside the mother's body, ovoviviparity where eggs are retained inside the mother's body but hatch outside, and viviparity where the young fully develop and are born live.

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Nihal Yildrim
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182 views26 pages

Reptiles: Section 2 Characteristics of Reptiles

Snakes have one lung compared to turtles which have two lungs. Crocodiles have two separate ventricles in their heart unlike lizards, snakes and turtles which have one ventricle divided by tissue. Reptiles are ectothermic meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature unlike endothermic mammals and birds which generate their own body heat through metabolism. Methods of reproduction in reptiles include oviparity where eggs are laid and develop outside the mother's body, ovoviviparity where eggs are retained inside the mother's body but hatch outside, and viviparity where the young fully develop and are born live.

Uploaded by

Nihal Yildrim
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 41

Reptiles
Section 2
Characteristics of Reptiles
Differences
• What are some differences
between a snake and a turtle?
• What are some differences
between a lizard and crocodile?
Circulatory System
• Pulmonary loop- carried
deoxygenated blood from the heart to
the lungs and returns oxygenated
blood to the heart
• Systemic loop- transports
oxygenated blood to the tissues of
the body and returns deoxygenated
blood to the heart
Heart Structure & Function
• Lizards, snakes, turtles, tuataras-
two atria & one ventricle- divided by
a wall of tissue- septum
• Crocodiles- two atria & two separate
ventricles
• Very little blood (good & bad) mixes
in reptile hearts
Heart Structure & Function
• Pumping blood through lungs requires
energy
• Inactive reptiles do not need a lot of
oxygen
• Aquatic reptiles don’t breathe while
underwater
• Heart pumps blood to body and reduces
circulation in lungs
Respiratory System
• Alveoli- lining of the lungs folded
into numerous small sacs
• Large lungs- absorb much oxygen
• Snakes- only use right lung
• Expand ribcage to fill lungs-
humans use similar technique
Nervous System
• Cerebrum is larger than amphibian-
controls behavior
• Optic lobes (control eyesight) also
larger
• Eyes are large
• Hearing is important- sound waves to
eardrum (tympanum) to columella
Nervous System
• Jacobson’s organ- specialized sense
organ located in the roof of mouth-
senses odors
• Snakes use tongues to sense
environment
• Snakes are able to detect heat from
heat-sensitive pits located below each
eye
Thermoregulation
• Control of body temperature-
thermoregulation
• Ectotherm- warms body by
absorbing heat from surroundings
• Endotherm- mammals & birds-
rapid metabolism which generates
heat to warm body
Thermoregulation
• Aquatic ectotherms- keep body
temperature around the same as
water
• Terrestrial ectotherms- keep body
warmer due to sunlight & basking
• Endotherms- feathers, body fat,
hair to retain heat
Thermoregulation
• Reptiles need to bask often in order to
raise body temperature
• Example: Lizard body temperature
drops at night. In order for lizard to
become active, it must bask in the sun.
• Reptiles need to raise body
temperatures to digest food
Advantages & Limitations to
Ectothermy
• Reptiles- slow metabolism- need
little energy & food
• Ectotherms cannot live in cold
climates, if climate is cool for a
long period of time, reptile will
hibernate
Reproduction
• Oviparity- female’s reproductive tract
encloses each egg in tough protective
shell
• Ovoviviparity- retain eggs within the
female’s body (eggs may be laid or may
hatch in female body)
• Viviparity- shell does not form around
egg & young are retained inside until
born
Reproduction
• Placenta- nutrients & oxygen are
transferred from mother to embryo
Parental Care
• Crocodiles & alligators provide
most parental care of reptiles
• Build nest for young
• Guard against predators
• Carry young in mouth & protect for
over a year
REVIEW!!!
• Compare thermoregulation in
animals that are endothermic
versus thermoregulation in
animals that are ectothermic
• Contrast oviparity with viviparity.

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