YEAR 7 SCIENCE HOMEWORK – 3 / CLASSIFICATION
Vertebrates and invertebrates
Vertebrates are animals that have backbones made of bones called vertebrae. These
backbones support the animal’s body. Most of these animals also have legs or fins. Animals
without backbones are called invertebrates. Some invertebrates have a hard, jointed
covering on the outside to support their bodies, for example crabs, beetles and spiders. This
covering is called an exoskeleton.
Vertebrates can be further divided into smaller sub-groups including birds, fish, mammals,
reptiles and amphibians.
Mammals: skin with hair or fur, females have mammary glands and have constant body
temperature. Example, wallaby and humans.
Fish: only found in water, skeleton made of bones, have gills, fins and changing body
temperature.
Bird: skin with feathers, eggs with hard shells, beak for feeding and constant body
temperature.
Reptile: skin with scales, lungs for breathing, changing body temperature.
Amphibian: eggs with shells, soft moist skin, larvae usually live in water, adults usually live
on land and have lungs and changing body temperature.
Questions
1. What are vertebrates?
2. What do some invertebrates have to support their bodies?
3. What are the smaller sub-groups for vertebrates?
4. What are the characteristics of fish?
5. What are the characteristics for mammals?
 QUIZ: Write True or False next to numbers 1 to 5
1. Vertebrates are animals with a backbone. __________
2. The backbone DOES NOT support the body. __________
3. Mammals are found in the water and have fins and gills. __________
4. Reptiles breathe through their lungs. __________
5. Birds have a constant body temperature. __________
Paste this homework sheet in your science book.