What is a Vertebrate?

What is a Vertebrate? PDF

Author: Bobbie Kalman

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13: 9780778732778

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Full-color photographs and simple text introduce young readers to various animals, fish, and reptiles that have skeletons.

Across the Bridge

Across the Bridge PDF

Author: Henry Gee

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2018-07-04

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 022640319X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

“Addresses an important topic for biologists and zoologists about vertebrates’ place in the ‘grand scheme’ . . . genuinely witty and charming . . . magnificent.” —Neil J. Gostling, University of Southampton Our understanding of vertebrate origins and the backbone of human history evolves with each new fossil find and DNA map. Many species have now had their genomes sequenced, and molecular techniques allow genetic inspection of even non-model organisms. But as longtime Nature editor Henry Gee argues in Across the Bridge, despite these giant strides and our deepening understanding of how vertebrates fit into the tree of life, the morphological chasm between vertebrates and invertebrates remains vast and enigmatic. As Gee shows, even as scientific advances have falsified a variety of theories linking these groups, the extant relatives of vertebrates are too few for effective genetic analysis. Moreover, the more we learn about the species that do remain—from sea-squirts to starfish—the clearer it becomes that they are too far evolved along their own courses to be of much use in reconstructing what the latest invertebrate ancestors of vertebrates looked like. Fossils present yet further problems of interpretation. Tracing both the fast-changing science that has helped illuminate the intricacies of vertebrate evolution as well as the limits of that science, Across the Bridge helps us to see how far the field has come in crossing the invertebrate-to-vertebrate divide—and how far we still have to go. “A beautiful ode to some of the least appreciated animals . . . guides the reader joyfully through deuterostomes—weaving disparate elements of embryology, paleontology, and morphology into an unprecedented and accessible narrative.” —Jakob Vinther, University of Bristol

Vertebrates

Vertebrates PDF

Author: Kenneth V. Kardong

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science, Engineering & Mathematics

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 778

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Brain Architecture : Understanding the Basic Plan

Brain Architecture : Understanding the Basic Plan PDF

Author: and Director NIBS Neuroscience Program University of Southern California Larry W. Swanson Milo Don and Lucille Appleman Professor of Biological Sciences

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2002-10-23

Total Pages: 283

ISBN-13: 0198026463

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Depending on your point of view the brain is an organ, a machine, a biological computer, or simply the most important component of the nervous system. How does it work as a whole? What are its major parts and how are they interconnected to generate thinking, feelings, and behavior? This book surveys 2,500 years of scientific thinking about these profoundly important questions from the perspective of fundamental architectural principles, and then proposes a new model for the basic plan of neural systems organization based on an explosion of structural data emerging from the neuroanatomy revolution of the 1970's. The importance of a balance between theoretical and experimental morphology is stressed throughout the book. Great advances in understanding the brain's basic plan have come especially from two traditional lines of biological thought-- evolution and embryology, because each begins with the simple and progresses to the more complex. Understanding the organization of brain circuits, which contain thousands of links or pathways, is much more difficult. It is argued here that a four-system network model can explain the structure-function organization of the brain. Possible relationships between neural networks and gene networks revealed by the human genome project are explored in the final chapter. The book is written in clear and sparkling prose, and it is profusely illustrated. It is designed to be read by anyone with an interest in the basic organization of the brain, from neuroscience to philosophy to computer science to molecular biology. It is suitable for use in neuroscience core courses because it presents basic principles of the structure of the nervous system in a systematic way.

Major Events in Early Vertebrate Evolution

Major Events in Early Vertebrate Evolution PDF

Author: Per Erik Ahlberg

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2001-02-15

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 0203468031

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A multi-author volume Major Events in Early Vertebrate Evolution examines the origin and early evolution of the backboned animals (vertebrates)-the group which comprises all fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, including ourselves. This volume draws together evidence from fossils, genes, and developmental biology (the study of how embry

The Dissection of Vertebrates

The Dissection of Vertebrates PDF

Author: Gerardo De Iuliis

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2006-08-03

Total Pages: 299

ISBN-13: 0080477356

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The Dissection of Vertebrates covers several vertebrates commonly used in providing a transitional sequence in morphology. With illustrations on seven vertebrates – lamprey, shark, perch, mudpuppy, frog, cat, pigeon – this is the first book of its kind to include high-quality, digitally rendered illustrations. This book received the Award of Excellence in an Illustrated Medical Book from the Association of Medical Illustrators. It is organized by individual organism to facilitate classroom presentation. This illustrated, full-color primary dissection manual is ideal for use by students or practitioners working with vertebrate anatomy. This book is also recommended for researchers in vertebrate and functional morphology and comparative anatomy. The result of this exceptional work offers the most comprehensive treatment than has ever before been available. Received the Award of Excellence in an Illustrated Medical Book from the Association of Medical Illustrators Expertly rendered award-winning illustrations accompany the detailed, clear dissection direction Organized by individual organism to facilitate classroom presentation Offers coverage of a wide range of vertebrates Full-color, strong pedagogical aids in a convenient lay-flat presentation

Vertebrate Evolution

Vertebrate Evolution PDF

Author: Donald R. Prothero

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2022-04-19

Total Pages: 655

ISBN-13: 1000515710

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The first vertebrate animals appear in the fossil record over 520 million years ago. These lineages diversified and eventually crept ashore leading to further evolutionary divergence and the appearance of the familiar charismatic vertebrates of today. From the tiniest fishes, diminutive salamanders, and miniaturized lizards to gargantuan dinosaurs, enormous brontotheres, and immense whales, vertebrates have captured the imagination of the lay public as well as the most erudite academics. They are the among the best studied organisms. This book employs beautifully rendered illustrations of these diverse lineages along with informative text to document a rich evolutionary history. The prolific and best-selling author reveals much of the latest findings regarding the phylogenetic history of vertebrates without overwhelming the reader with pedantry and excessive jargon. Simultaneously, comprehensive and authoritative while being approachable and lucid, this book should appeal to both the scholar, the student, and the fossil enthusiast. Key Features Provides an up-to-date account of evolution of vertebrates Includes numerous beautiful color reconstructions of prehistoric vertebrates Describes extinct vertebrates and their evolutionary history Discusses and illustrates the first vertebrates, as well as familiar lineages of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals Reviews mass extinctions and other important events in the diversification of vertebrates Related Titles Bard, J. Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity (ISBN 9780367357016) Böhmer, C., et al. Atlas of Terrestrial Mammal Limbs (ISBN 9781138705906) Diogo, R., et al. Muscles of Chordates: Development, Homologies, and Evolution (ISBN 9781138571167) Schweitzer, M. H., et al. Dinosaurs: How We Know What We Know (ISBN 9780367563813)

The Vertebrate IntegumentVolume 1

The Vertebrate IntegumentVolume 1 PDF

Author: Theagarten Lingham-Soliar

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2014-02-18

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 3642537480

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The vertebrate integument arose about 450 million years ago as an ‘armour’ of dermal bony plates in small, jawless fish-like creatures, informally known as the ostracoderms. This book reviews the major changes that have occurred in the vertebrate integument from its beginnings to the present day. Critical questions concerning the origin, structure and functional biology of the bony integument are discussed and intrinsically linked to major steps in vertebrate evolution and phylogeny—the origin of jaws and the origin of teeth. The discussions include the origins of mineralization of major vertebrate skeletal components such as the dermatocranium, branchial arches and vertebral column. The advances that led to the origin of modern fishes and their phylogenetic development are reviewed and include the evolution of fins and replacement of the bony plates with several types of dermal scales. The evolution of reptiles saw a major transformation of the integument, with the epidermis becoming the protective outermost layer, from which the scales arose, while the dermis lay below it. The biological significance of the newly-evolved β-keratin in reptilian scales, among the toughest natural materials known, is discussed in the context of its major contribution to the great success of reptiles and to the evolution of feathers and avian flight. The dermis in many vertebrates is strengthened by layers of oppositely oriented cross-fibres, now firmly entrenched as a design principle of biomechanics. Throughout the book conventional ideas are discussed and a number of new hypotheses are presented in light of the latest developments. The long evolutionary history of vertebrates indicates that the significance of the Darwinian concept of “survival of the fittest” may be overstated, including in our own mammalian origins and that chance often plays a major role in evolutionary patterns. Extensive illustrations are included to support the verbal descriptions. Professor Theagarten Lingham-Soliar is in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Concepts of Biology

Concepts of Biology PDF

Author: Samantha Fowler

Publisher:

Published: 2018-01-07

Total Pages: 618

ISBN-13: 9789888407453

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.

Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animal Approaches

Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animal Approaches PDF

Author: José Rosa Gomes

Publisher: Nova Science Publishers

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781631171024

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book is comprised of important contributions from expert researchers around the world concerning the biology of animals from a variety of approaches. In particular are manuscripts that deal with cellular, biochemical, genetic, reproductive, and ecological themes including various manuscripts regarding invertebrate animals. Regarding this last animal class, the science provides excellent models to study a lot of biological processes that can explain the evolution and diversity of life on the earth's surface. They are simple organisms, the studies of which can contribute to explanations of how the metabolic processes found in vertebrates and humans started and have been maintained. This book also provides results that demonstrate some effects and interactions among environmental conditions and drugs on the morphology and biochemical processes in cells, and it contains reviews concerning the interaction between pathogenic invertebrates and human diseases. The aim of these studies was to provide important results that are not commonly treated in traditional and experimental models within the current scientific scene.