Vertebrates

&
Invertebrates

Interactive Presentation
designed by Mr. Phillips
July 2004
 Introduction

You are about to begin an interactive

presentation.
Caution: This is not a normal presentation!
YOU will be participating!

You will be learning about two main

classifications of animals:
 Vertebrates, invertebrates, and the
differences between them.
 Directions

There are several ways to navigate

through this presentation:
1. On some slides you can click on the
boxes that look like this:
2. You can click the “next” or “back”
buttons like the one at the bottom left
of this page.
3. For slides with questions, just click on
your choice.
 Presentation
Objectives
1. Given access to this presentation, the
students will navigate through this
presentation with 90% accuracy.
2. Given questions within the presentation,
the students will correctly answer 70% of
the questions.
3. Given at least 30 minutes to explore the
presentation and given characteristics of
a specific animal, students will be able to
identify whether the animal is a
vertebrate or an invertebrate with 80%
accuracy.
 Classification of
Animals
Animals

Click on vertebrates
or invertebrates to
learn more about
each!!

Vertebrates Invertebrates

Click below after you

have read about
vertebrates and
invertebrates
Vertebrates

•Animals that are

vertebrates are simply
animals with a backbone.

•Vertebrates have an
endoskeleton
–It offers support and protects
the soft parts of the animal.
 Vertebrates
Vertebrates can either be ectotherms or
endotherms.
Ectotherms (cold-blooded)
•Body temperature changes to match their
surroundings.

•Endotherms (warm-blooded)
•Regulate their body temperature so that it
remains constant
 Vertebrates

•Vertebrate animals fall into the

chordate phylum.

•The chordate phylum is divided into

classes.
–fish
–amphibians
–reptiles
–birds
–mammals
 Vertebrates
This chart shows the vertebrates organized into
classes.
Click on a box to learn more about that class of
vertebrates!
When you are done, click the link at the bottom left of the screen to learn about
Vertebrates
invertebrates!

Fish Amphibians Reptiles

Birds Mammals
Click here to go
to Invertebrates
 Fish
• Fish are cold-blooded animals.
– This means that their blood
temperature changes with the
temperature of the surrounding
water.
• Most fish live close to the shore in
water that is less than 600 feet
deep.
– In the ocean, the deeper the water,
the dimmer the light.
– Many fish who live at 2000 feet or
deeper glow in the dark.
 Fish
• All fish have gills. These gills absorb
oxygen from the water and pass it
along to the bloodstream.

• A fishes scales are called armor

because they protect it. A slimy
substance moistens the scales. This
protects the fish from infection and
helps the fish slip through the water
faster.
 Fish
• Fish stay afloat because they have swim
bladders. By changing the amount of air in
its bladder, a fish never rises or sinks, but
stays balanced.
 Fish
•Fins move the fish forward, steer it, and help
the fish to keep its balance.
•The pectoral and pelvic fins are used for balance,
steering, and braking.
•The dorsal fin keeps the fish from rolling over and works
along with the anal fin.
•The tail (caudal fin) provides power, thrushing the fish
forward.
 Fish
Fish are actually divided into 3 different classes.
Click the boxes to learn about these 3 types.
You must click the boxes in order from top to bottom.

Bony Fish

Cartilaginous Fish

Jawless Fish
 Bony Fish

• Bony fish make up about 95% of

all fish.
• Skeletons are made up of bone.
• Their scaly skin is covered with a
slimy mucous.
• Their mouth is generally at the
front of the body.
• They have a tail fin.
Click the fish to see a diagram of bony
fish.
 Cartilaginous
Fish
• Cartilaginous fish include the
sharks, skates and rays.

• Although these look different, Great White Shark

they have many features in

common.

• None of them have any true

bone - their skeleton is made Ray

of cartilage.

• They have strong jaws Chilean Skate

 Cartilaginous
Fish
Continued…
• Their mouth is on the underside of their
body.
• Their eyes are on the top of their body.
• They cannot see food as it enters their
mouth.
• Some sharks solve this problem by
touching their food briefly with their
nose first.
– Some also use a powerful electrosensory
system.
Click the shark
to see a
diagram of a
shark!
 Jawless Fish

• This is a primitive eel-like fish which doesn't

have a true jaw, but a sucker-like mouth
(like suction cups!) and rasping teeth.
• There are two main types:
– Lampreys
• Lampreys are found in freshwater lakes and streams
as well as in salt water.
– Hagfish
• Hagfish, or blind eels, are found only in salt water
and feed mainly on dead fish.

lamprey
 Let’s Review
Fish!!!
Click on the correct choice.
The majority of fish fall into which class?

A. Bony Fish

A. Cartilaginous Fish

A. Jawless Fish
 You chose B. Cartilaginous Fish.
That is incorrect.
Think about the majority of fish you have
seen in your life…what is hard inside their
body?
 You chose C. Jawless Fish.
That is incorrect.
Think about the majority of fish you have
seen in your life…what is hard inside their
body?
Yes. The correct choice is A Bony Fish.
About 95% of all fish are considered bony
fish!
 Let’s Review
Fish!!!
Click on the correct choice.
Which fin gives the fish balance,
steering, and braking?

A. Dorsal Fin

A. Caudal Fin (tail)

A. Pectoral and Pelvic Fins

 You chose B. Caudal Fin (tail).
That is incorrect.
The caudal fin (tail) actually gives the fish
the power to move forward.
 You chose A. Dorsal Fin.
That is incorrect.
The dorsal fin keeps the fish from rolling
over.
 Yes. The correct choice is
C. Pectoral and Pelvic Fin.
These allow the fish to balance, steer, and
 Amphibians
• These animals have
smooth skin
• Most spend at least part Salamander

of their life in water.

• Amphibians are cold-
blooded (hibernate in
winter). newts

• They usually have three

life stages: egg, larva,
adult (metamorphosis).
• Includes: Frogs, Toads,
Salamanders, and
Ever wonder what the difference between a frog and a toad
Newts.
was? Click here to find out!
toad
 Reptiles

• These animals have dry, scaly

skin.
• They are cold-blooded
(hibernate in winter). Iguana

• Some live in the water, but

most are adapted to life on
land. Turtle

• Most reptiles lay soft-shelled

eggs, but some bear live
young.
• Includes: Lizards, Snakes,
Turtles, and Crocodiles. Crocodile
 Birds

• Birds are warm-

blooded.
• They have hollow
bones and feathers. Raptor

• Most can fly at least

short distances.
• Birds are born from Gull
hard-shelled eggs.
• Includes: Raptors,
Gulls, Songbirds,
and Fowl. Fowl
 Mammals
• These animals usually have
hair/fur.
• They give birth to live
young and feed their young
with milk. Rodent

• Have the most complex

brains and nervous systems
of any animal on earth. Bat

• Mammals are warm-

blooded.
• Includes: Rodents, Hoofed
animals, Marsupials, Bats,
Rabbits, Weasels, Raccoons, Dog
Let’s try one quick
review question!
 Vertebrate Review

You see a greenish-brownish colored

animal walking in your yard. You get
brave, and decide to touch it. It’s skin
is dry and scaly. What kind of animal is
it most likely?

A. Amphibian
B. Mammal
C. Reptile
 You chose A. Amphibian.
That is incorrect.
Amphibians have smooth skin.
 You chose B. Mammal.
That is incorrect.
A mammal’s skin would most likely be
furry.
 Yes. The correct choice is
C. reptile
Reptiles have dry, scaly skin.
 Fun Facts!

• What’s the difference between an alligator and a

crocodile?
• Click here to find out!

• What’s the difference between a reptile and an

amphibian?
• Click here to find out!
 Invertebrates

• Invertebrates are animals without a

backbone.
• 97% of all animals are invertebrates!
• They are divided into different groups or
phyla (plural of phylums).
• Scientists look at something called
symmetry to help classify invertebrates.
 Invertebrates
Radial symmetry: body parts are arranged
around in a circle around a central point
(starfish).

Bilateral symmetry: have two sides that will

match if you draw a line down the center of
their body (lobster).

Asymetric: these animals have no definite

shape at all (sponges).
 Invertebrates
Click on a box to learn more about that class of
invertebrates!
When you are done, click the man at the bottom left of the screen to move on!
Cnidarian Sponges Arthropod Mollusks
s

Invertebrates

Click below when you

are done learning about
invertebrates:

Echinoderm Annelids Flatworm

s s
 Cnidarians
• Have radial symmetry

• Sometimes they have stinging

tentacles around their mouths
that they use to catch food.

Polyp
Jellyfish
 Sponges

• Asymmetric bodies

• They filter food out of the water

as it passes through them.
 Roundworms

• These outnumber every other

animal on earth.
• They can be predators,
parasites, or decomposers.
 Arthropods

Crustaceans • Have jointed body parts

Arachnids • Bilateral symmetry Butterfly

Insects
• Segmented bodies
• Lobster, house fly,
beetle, butterflies,
Beetle

spiders

House Fly
Tarantula

Lobster
 Arthropods
Crustaceans
• Crustaceans live mostly in the ocean or other
waters.
Crustaceans • Most commonly known crustaceans are the crab and
lobster.
Arachnids
• Crustaceans have a hard, external shell which
Insects protects their body.
• Crustaceans have a head and abdomen. The head
has antennae which are part of their sensory
system. The abdomen includes the heart, digestive
system and reproductive system.
• The abdomen also has appendages, such as legs, for
crawling and swimming. Many crustaceans also have
claws that help with crawling and eating.
 Arthropods
Arachnids

• Arachnids are a type of arthropod.

Crustaceans You know many of them as
Arachnids spiders.
• Like other arthropods, the
Insects
arachnids have a hard
exoskeleton and jointed
appendages for walking.
• Unlike other arthropods,
arachnids do not have antennae.
• Common arachnids are the
spider, scorpions, ticks and mites.
 Arthropods
Insects
• Insects are the largest group of
Crustaceans
arthropods. There are over
800,000 different types of insects.
Arachnids • The insect's head has a pair of
Insects antennae, and a pair of compound
eyes.
• Compound eyes are different from
human eyes which have a single
lens for each eye. Compound eyes
have many lenses for each eye.
For example, the fly has about
4,000 lenses in a single eye. This
provides them with very good
eyesight.
 Flatworms

• Long, flat bodies

• Bilateral symmetry Planaria

• Most are parasites that invade

other creatures and live off of
them.
• Planaria, tapeworms, liver
flukes

Tapeworm Liver Flukes

 Annelids

• Segmented worms
• Ringed segments
• Earthworms, leeches

Earthworm
Leech
 Mollusks

• Soft bodies Oyster

• Protective shell
• Land mollusks include snails and
slugs and have lungs.
• Water mollusks include oysters,
mussels, clams, squids, and
octopuses which use gills to
breathe.

Snail

Octopus
 Echinoderms

• Spiny skin Sand Dollar

• Radial symmetry
• Thousands of tube-like feet
• Starfish, sea urchin, sand dollar,
and sea cucumber.

Sea Urchin Sea Cucumber

Starfish
 Let’s Review
What type of symmetry does the
following invertebrate have?

a) Radial

b) Bilateral

c) Asymmetric
 You chose c. asymmetric.
That is incorrect.
Think about the left and right sides of a
butterfly…
 You chose a. radial.
That is incorrect.
Are all their body parts arranged around a
circle?
 Yes. The correct choice is
B. bilateral
Both sides of the butterfly are idential.
 Congratulation
s!
You have just finished learning
about vertebrates and
invertebrates!

You are now an expert zoo

keeper!

Tomorrow we will continue our