Essays on Appendages

Over a period of 400 million years, animals in the vertebrate category have evolved to a diverse array of life adaptations on earth. Vertebrates represent animals that are most familiar with people and are used for food, adopted as pets and deployed for labor. They include fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians and mammals. The classification system that groups vertebrates according to each of the classes that have been mentioned above utilizes genetics, anatomy, and the evolutionary relationships. Animals are classified starting with the kingdom which is a large body that encompasses animals that have similar characteristics and end up with ...

Identification of each individual from the massive inventory of living organisms requires appropriate classification system. This system allows not only identification of all specimens that are already collected, but also allows identification of the newly discovered organisms in the future. The classification system is robustly based on science and logic, so this system is universally applicable. The classification system starts by grouping the specimens into two major categories namely animals and plants. In general, animals are grouped by the presence of appendages that implies the ability to move on their own while plants are grouped together based on ...

1. Arthropods usually have a distinct head. How would you define a “head”? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a body region? The head is the rostral most section of an organism usually encompassing particular sensory organs such as the brain, ears and mouth among other fundamental parts of an organism.

Advantages of the head

The head of an organism allows for closer synchronization of specialized senses with the brain. That is the central point controlling the body. The head of an organism is disposable, and the organism only lives to safeguard a single part of the body properly.

Disadvantages

It is the ...

Why should anyone believe him? Yet that initial view through the microscope confirmed what he had nervously anticipated for days, as he now had to quickly decide who he should tell and, more importantly, when it should be said. Excitement shone on Stanley’s face as he saw his cell samples accepting the spider cytoplasm. He had drawn inspiration from Spiderman and decided that it was his calling to step into his favourite superhero’s shoes. For once he felt lucky for himself of being a biology student, which otherwise turned out as a regret at most of the times. He ...

Introduction and description of the problem

We shall embark on a proposal that would augment a solution to an identified challenge. An exoskeleton is simply defined as a device that enhances the execution of an action of its wearer. Not being able to walk really deprives a person of the comfort of movement and the opportunities with which it brings.

The global statistics on people with disabilities are staggering at best. At present, over 10% of the global population live with one or more forms of disabilities The increase in life span and the number of elderly individuals is also worrisome. In the United States alone, over 19.4 million people ...

Lab Report Comparing the Anatomy of Crayfish and Grasshopper

Introduction The aim of the investigation is to compare and contrast the external anatomical characteristics of two classes of the Phylum Arthropoda, Class Crustacea and Class Insecta. A crayfish was used to represent the Class Crustacea and a grasshopper was to represent the Class Insecta. Arthropods are the most abundant and diverse group of animals on the planet. The organisms in this Phyla share common characteristics which include: the body of most arthropods is covered with chitin hardened into an exoskeleton. In crustacean, the chitin is hardened by calcium. In insects, the chitin is tanned, chemically bonded with ...

Quote for week 9

The quote for week nine involves a conversation between two individuals with the Down’s syndrome. The quote personifies the saying that disability is not inability. The two individuals use the Down’s syndrome to show how some things cannot changed, our great need for them to change notwithstanding. However, we see the positive nature of Mitchell when she calls the situation change syndrome to underscore the need to change their outlook. The quote asks us to embrace that which we cannot change and instead of getting disillusioned, we change our perspective and our way of thought towards it. The ...

Experiment: Investigating the integumentary system.

Introduction Scientifically, the integumentary system consists of the skin and its appendages. It functions primarily as an outer protection for internal organs from bacteria. Superficially, the skin serves as a buffer to trauma. Its integrity decreases incidences of invasion by harmful organisms even when breakage occurs. (Martini 2009). Beside these basic functions, the integumentary system is also responsible for insulation by assisting in regulating body temperature; production of hair; excretion of waste through pores and a sensory station for the transmission of impulses when touched. Sensory receptors present within the subcutaneous layers are also pain transmitters. (Watson 2011)

Background to aims

However, ...