KINGDOM ANIMALIA Characteristics of Animals

Characteristics of Life
1. Living things are organized. 2. Living things are made up of cells. 3. Living things metabolize. 4. Living things maintain an internal environment. 5. Living things grow. 6. Living things respond. 7. Living things reproduce. 8. Living things evolve.

Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification

Kingdom Phylum

Class
Order Family

Genus
Species

Kingdom Animalia
All animals are multicellular, mitochondrial heterotrophsthey have multiple cells with mitochondria and they rely on other organisms for their nourishment. Most animals ingest their food and then digest it in some kind of internal cavity.

Animal Species
Somewhere around 9 or 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth. About 800,000 species have been identified.

Animal Phyla
Biologists recognize about 36 separate phyla within the Kingdom Animalia.

Major Animal Phyla

Mollusca 5%

Arthropoda 87%

Other 12%

Chordata 2% Cnidaria 1% Platyhelminthes 1% Nematoda 1% Annelida 1% Porifera 1% Echinodermata 1%

Animal Movement
Most animals are capable of complex and relatively rapid movement compared to plants and other organisms.

Animal Reproduction
Most animals reproduce sexually, by means of differentiated haploid cells (eggs and sperm). Most animals are diploid, meaning that the cells of adults contain two copies of the genetic material.

Animal Sizes
Animals range in size from no more than a few cells (like the mesozoans) to organisms weighing many tons (like the blue whale).

a mesozoan

blue whale

Animal Habitats
Most animals inhabit the seas, with fewer in fresh water and even fewer on land.

Animal Cells
Animal cells, like all eukaryotic cells, have internal structures called organelles that serve specific functions for the cell. Animal cells lack the rigid cell walls that characterize plant cells.

Animal Cell Diagram

Animal Bodies
The bodies of most animals (all except sponges) are made up of cells organized into tissues. Each tissue is specialized to perform specific functions. In most animals, tissues are organized into even more specialized organs.

Animal Symmetry
The most primitive animals are asymmetrical. Cnidarians and echinoderms are radially symmetrical. Most animals are bilaterally symmetrical.

Radial Symmetry
applies to forms that can be divided into similar halves by more than two planes passing through it. Animals with radial symmetry are usually sessile, free-floating, or weakly swimming.

Bilateral Symmetry
Animals with bilateral symmetery are most well-suited for directional movement.

Radial vs. Bilateral Symmetry

Cephalization
Bilateral Symmetry usually has led to cephalizationthe process by which sensory organs and appendages became localized in the head end of animals.

Evolutionary Trends
If we analyze the basic body plans of animals, we find that they illustrate evolutionary trends. Four major advances (in order):
1. 2. 3. 4. Multicellular body plan Bilaterally symmetrical body plan Tube-within-a-tube body plan Coelomate body plan

3 Major Bilateral Body Plans

1. Acoelomates 2. Pseudocoelomates 3. Coelomates Each plan consists of 3 cell layers: endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm

Acoelomates
These animals have no other cavity than the gut. They are often called the solid worms.

Pseudocoelomates
These animals have a body cavity (the pseudocoelom) which is not completely lined with mesoderm. The tube within a tube body plan. This category is also composed of mostly worms.

Coelomates
These animals have a true coelom lined with mesodermal peritoneum. Most animals are coelomate.