Page 316 - Microsoft Word - LessonPlan-Overview.doc
P. 316
Unit 18: Biology Part 1 Page 31 of 60
production of medicines. Many continents, with
reptiles make excellent pets. the greatest
Finally, as with the other animals variation in the
we have studied, reptiles tropics. They often
frequently make appearances in differ rather
stories and folklore, although this dramatically in
is usually in a negative context. appearance.
The vertebrates are a highly
diverse group of animals, united by With all the
the presence of a spinal cord or diversity amongst this group of
column. Fish, amphibians, and animals, what makes a bird a bird?
reptiles have some traits in First off, birds are endothermic
common, but also have important vertebrates. Being endothermic
differences. Frequently, these means that they keep a constant
differences help the animals to be body temperature whether the
uniquely suited to their temperature outside is hot or cold.
environment. All these animals are Being vertebrates means that birds
important to humans, and to the have backbones made of bones
other living things in their called vertebrae. All birds are
ecosystem. also bipedal, meaning they walk
on two legs. Birds also have
Lesson 3: Birds and feathers, and beaks with no teeth.
Mammals Finally, this
group of
It seems pretty easy to identify a animals is
bird. When you hear the word united by
bird, you probably think of an the fact that
animal soaring gracefully through they all
the sky. It is true that birds have produce
lightweight skeletons and feathers, offspring by laying eggs.
allowing many of them to fly. Although not all birds can fly, and
Nevertheless, from small although some non-birds are able
hummingbirds and jays, to large to do so, flight is probably the
ostriches and eagles, the variety of characteristic people most
birds is staggering. The 10,000 associate with birds. The bird body
species in this group live in many is lightweight, making it highly
different places on all seven
suitable for flight, and the body
© 2011 Supercharged Science www.ScienceLearningSpace.com
718
