AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
1. What do the two root words below translate to
mean? (p. 692)
a) AMPHI : Combination or blend
b) BIA/BIO : Life
2. Describe the type of respiratory organs that each
amphibious stage uses.
a) Larvae/juvenile: Gills
b) Adult: Lungs supplemented by skin
3. List three reasons why most amphibians are
strongly tied to aquatic environments. (p. 693)
a) Because Juveniles are adapted to aquatic
environment
b) Eggs lack a shell to prevent them from drying out.
c) Unprotected skin works best when moist.
d) Still using external fertilization – Gametes dry out.
4. Copy out the textbook definition of an amphibian:
Vertebrates that are aquatic as larvae and terrestrial
as adults. Breathe with lungs and skin, lack scales and
claws.
5. How does the diet of the larval/juvenile-stage
(tadpole) usually differ from the diet of the adult-stage
(frog)? ( “Feeding” pp.695-696)
Tadpoles: Filter feed and graze off plants and some
small larvae.
Frog : Carnivores that engulf flies, worms and aquatic
invertebrates
6. If frogs do not have chest muscles or a diaphragm,
how do they get air into their lungs? (“Respiration” p.
697)
They fill their mouth cavity with air then force it down
through the glottis into the lungs.
7. How many chambers does a frog’s heart have, and
give their names? (p.697)
They have THREE chambers.
8. What structures do amphibians use to filter their
blood, and what excretory product is given off from
these structures (“Excretion” p. 698)
Kidneys  Urine
9. Amphibians are cold-blooded (ectothermic), what
do most amphibians do during harsh seasons?
(“Response” pp. 698-699)
They hide in sheltered spots and slow down their
metabolism
REPTILES:
10. Give the textbook definition of a reptile (p. 707)
Vertebrates with lungs, scaly skin, and an AMNIOTIC
egg.
11. What is the one disadvantage of reptilian skin? (p.
708)
The skin does not grow, so it must be shed.
12. Describe the function of the main parts of an
“amniotic egg”.(p. 708)
A) Shell/Membranes: Protection and protection from
bacteria and drying out.
B) Yolk: Rich in nutrients to support the developing
embryo.
13. Explain how the respiratory system in reptiles is an
improvement over that of amphibians. (p. 708)
Amphibians must use moist skin for part of their
respiration. Reptiles utilize protected lungs for 100%
of their respiration.
14. How do reptiles get air into their lungs?
(“Respiration p. 711)
Rib and chest muscles pull out to expand the thoracic
cavity causing air to get sucked in.
15. Describe the heart of a crocodile or alligator.(p.
711)
It has FOUR chambers. Two atria and two ventricles.
It uses a double circuit. Heart Lungs
Heart  Body
16. Reptiles do not put out a dilute solution of
ammonia, but rather they put out a uric acid paste,
explain why. (pp. 712-713)
The paste contains less water, which prevents
dehydration.
17. Some snakes have heat pits, what do these sense
organs do and why are they so beneficial for nocturnal
snakes? (p. 713) These sensory organs detect heat
being given off. They can detect warm-blooded
animals (birds/mammals) in the dark.
18. Why do the leathery shells around an amniotic egg
have pores? (p. 714)
This allows the developing young to use lungs to
respire.
19. What type of fertilization do reptiles use?
INTERNAL fertilization.