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    Animal Biology

    Animal biology, also classified as zoology, is a field of study which examines the animal kingdom, including both invertebrates and vertebrates. This discipline of animal biology is not limited to focusing solely on living species, but also organisms which have gone extinct.

    Animal biology is a scientific field which is interconnected with many other scientific disciplines. For example, the areas of evolutionary biology, paleontology and molecular biology are closely related fields. Evolutionary biology examines the progression of animal species overtime from primitive organisms to rather complex beings. Paleontology assists evolutionary biologists through the discovery of fossil evidence. Additionally, molecular biology highlights how the genetic mechanisms which underlie different animal species allow them to function.

    More specifically, animal biology focuses on learning the anatomy and physiology of animal species, animal behaviour and the comparative biology between different animal classes, such as fish and insects. In terms of animal anatomy and physiology, this involves comparing and contrasting how systems such as the respiratory and nervous systems function in various species. Animal behaviour is a very broad subject which mainly focuses on the ways in which animals act in their native environments.

    Animal biology is an expansive topic which is very interdisciplinary with other fields of biology. Understanding animal biology is critical in helping society better comprehend the animal world and realize the diversity which exists. Hopefully, through studying animal biology individuals will gain an appreciation for species diversity and be motivated to try and conserve these priceless resources. 

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    BrainMass Categories within Animal Biology

    Animal Behaviour

    Solutions: 4

    Animal behaviour can be defined as the study of how different species act in their natural environment, in terms of interacting with each other, with individuals of different species and the physical actions they exhibit to survive.

    Insect Anatomy and Physiology

    Solutions: 6

    Insects are invertebrates which have an external and internal anatomy which is structured and functions widely differently from vertebrate species.

    Fish Anatomy and Physiology

    Solutions: 4

    Fish are aquatic species which display a large range of diversity due to the vast array of habitats which they can survive in from streams found in high mountains to habitats in the deep ocean.

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    characters of echinoderms

    Please help. This is NOT for an assignment. It is to study for an exam. Want to make sure I am on the right track. Thank you. (2 marks) 6. List two characters of echinoderms that they do not share with other animal phyla. (6 marks) 7. Explain the multiregional hypothesis for the origin of humans, and list two lines of evid

    Aoicomplexans Evolved Through Stages of Endosymbiosis

    This is not for an assignment. It is to study for an exam and I need help to make sure I am on the right track. Thank you. (7 marks) 2. Explain how apicomplexans seem to have evolved through various stages of endosymbiosis. (5 marks) 3. What are the similarities and differences between a moss sporophyte and a fern sporophy

    Animal Phyla and Segmentation

    Name four animal phyla with segmentation. Name and briefly explain four characters of insects that they don't share with other arthropods. Explain the top down and bottom up hypothesis of bird flight. How do Neanderthals differ from modern humans? What arguments favour Neanderthals being a distinct species? Explain how plant

    The Heart Role in the Body

    Consider the heart, an organ with a variety of tissues. In what way is the heart more than the sum of the tissues it comprises?

    DNA Mutation and Alignment

    Could you please help me to understand the following DNA alignment problem. Thank you. Three strands of DNA have been obtained from three different species that are fairly closely related. Using the first strand as your reference strand, try to figure out where the sequences of the other strands have been changed through delet

    Dinosaurs and Birds do Interbreed

    A new species has been discovered. The animal is a vertebrate, approximately 18-24 inches in length. Members of this species are covered in scales and are known to lay shelled eggs. Dissection has also shown that this animal possesses a four-chambered heart. Its skeleton is shown below, but the skull has been omitted. An image

    Using an Article to Trace the Scientific Method

    Researchers recently investigated (see summary in http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100609111316.htm) in laboratory mice whether or not coffee prevented the development of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The mice used in this experiment have a mutation that makes them become diabetic. Study: A group of 11 mice we

    Goat Milk versus Cow Milk

    Some sources of information state that specific nutrients can be found in higher concentrations in goat's milk than in cow's milk. Please look for some information countering the goat milk side and also a detailed nutrient breakdown of cow's milk versus goat's milk, making the real differences obvious.

    Discussion on sexual and asexual reproduction

    Some organisms reproduce sexually while others reproduce asexually. Define both types of reproduction. What are the advantages and disadvantages of reproducing each way? Name two organisms that reproduce sexually and two that reproduce asexually.

    Does sky blue paint keep wasps from building nests?

    Your neighbor added a farmer's porch to his house and painted the ceiling of it blue. When you asked him why, he told you he had read that the sky blue ceiling would fool wasps into thinking it was the sky and they would not build any nests under the eaves of the porch or along the ceiling. Would a blue ceiling really deter was

    Four Characteristics of Living Organisms

    Please help me study by answering this question: Relate the various levels of organization in living organisms to those of nonliving entities. Use specific examples to explain your answer.

    Environmental conditions of Sea cucumbers

    Sea cucumbers will _____ when environmental conditions deteriorate. a. eject their digestive tract, respiratory structures, and gonads b. crawl to an area with more favorable conditions c. form a resistant spore d. float to the surface and then later drop to a more favorable location e. crawl deep into the ocean mud

    Characterize open systems

    An organism can exchange matter and energy with its surroundings. Thus, any change in an organism's energy content must be balanced by a corresponding change in the energy content of the surroundings. As such, an organism is referred to as: a. a closed system b. an open system c. a dynamic system d. a thermally react

    Nine Major Animal Phyla

    Please use Citations and Cite References There are nine major animal phyla (actually there are over thirty that are recognized by taxonomists so consider yourself getting off lucky). Choose two phyla that you find particularly interesting (while trying avoid combinations picked by other class members). Give common examples of

    Question about the domains of living things.

    Describe the characteristics of the various domains of living things. Do you notice any similarities or differences between the domains' characteristics? What are some of the similarities or differences you notice?

    Animal tissues types and homeostasis

    1. The four basic animal tissues are a. connective, digestive, nervous, and respiratory. b. blood, bone, connective, and epithelial. c. epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous. d. digestive, nervous, reproductive, and respiratory. e. circulatory, excretory, respiratory, and sensory. 2. Homeostatic mechanisms are pr

    Animal Behavior: Group Selection

    This is an overview of group selection and a specific type of behavior involved, kin selection. This explains what kin selection is and gives a couple of examples of organisms that practice this type of behavior. Included are leading questions that would help you to give a complete explanation of this behavior and lead to a be

    Animal Classifications

    Animals are placed in taxonomic classifications based on differences and similarities of their traits. If you know what critical traits to look for, it is possible to separate any animal into a taxonomic category. The common categories are Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species (Specific Epithet.)

    Charles Darwin and his work

    Besides his book On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin wrote many other significant works. Provide the names of three additional significant books or articles that were written by Darwin and provide a description of the subject matter and significant contribution of each of these. Please provide the source(s) of informat

    Anaphylactic Shock

    I first need to describe what Anaphylactic shock is, then describe how this will affect cardiac output and blood pressure and why. Then I would need to know the compensation mechanisms that the body will use to restore the cardiovascular system back to normal in detail. I really don't know where to begin and any help wil

    Animals are placed in taxonomic classifications based on differences and similarities of their traits. If you know what critical traits to look for, it is possible to separate any animal into a taxonomic category.

    Could you please help me with this? Examples of nine Animal Phylum: Porifera, Cnidaria, Nematoda, Arthropoda, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Chordata. jellyfish, snail, earthworm, fly, spong, starfish, snake, flatworm, roundworm 1.Which group(s) lack tissue level organization? 2.Which group(s