Zoology, 8th Edition (Miller)

Chapter 21: Birds: Reptiles by Another Name

Quiz



1.

All of the following are characteristics of members of the class Aves except one. Select the exception.
A)ectothermy
B)vertebral column modified for flight
C)ones lightened by numerous air spaces
D)feathers
2.

Fossils of this ancient bird indicate that slow, hovering, and highly maneuverable flight evolved at least 115 million years ago.
A)Archaeopteryx
B)Sinoris
C)Eoalulavis
D)Sterna
3.

150 million year old fossils of this ancient bird have been found in Germany. They show a clavicle for the attachment of wing muscles, but other sites for flight muscle attachment were less developed. These observations indicate that this bird was capable of gliding, but not long distance, flight.
A)Archaeopteryx
B)Sinoris
C)Eoalulavis
D)Sterna
4.

In recent years, several spectacular discoveries of fossils in ___________ have reinforced the notion that birds of a theropod ancestry.
A)Russia
B)Argentina
C)China
D)South Africa
5.

Birds descended from ancient
A)Lepidosaurs.
B)Testudines.
C)Synapsids.
D)Archosaurs.
6.

Birds are now considered by nearly all zoologists to simply be avian
A)reptiles.
B)synapsids.
C)rodents.
D)anapsids.
7.

Feathers develop from the ______ of the skin.
A)epidermis
B)dermis
C)hypodermis
D)basement membrane
8.

Feathers of a bird that cover the body, wings, and tail are called ______ feathers.
A)plumulaceous
B)down
C)pennaceous
D)dermal
9.

Feathers of a bird that have insulating functions are called ______ feathers.
A)down
B)pennaceous
C)contour
D)ermal
10.

Hamuli branch from the ______ of a contour feather and keep these feathers firm and smooth.
A)quill
B)shaft
C)barbs
D)barbules
11.

The fusion of posterior thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae into a ______ helps a bird maintain proper flight posture.
A)pygostyle
B)uncinate process
C)synsacrum
D)furcula
12.

The fusion of posterior caudal vertebrae into a ______ supports tail feathers that are important in steering during flight.
A)pygostyle
B)uncinate process
C)synsacrum
D)furcula
13.

The alula is a group of small feathers on the wing that
A)helps decrease the angle of attack of the wing.
B)is elevated during fast flapping flight.
C)is elevated to reduce turbulence along the upper surface of the wing during hovering, takeoff, and landing.
D)generates the propulsive force of flight.
14.

The portion of the digestive tract of a pigeon that produces "pigeon's milk" used in feeding young is the
A)esophagus.
B)gizzard.
C)crop.
D)proventriculus.
15.

A portion of the digestive tract of a bird that is a modification of the stomach and secretes gastric juices that initiate digestion is the
A)crop.
B)gizzard.
C)proventriculus.
D)pylorus.
16.

All of the following statements regarding lung ventilation and gas exchange are true except one. Select the exception.
A)Gas exchange occurs in blind-ending sacs called alveoli.
B)Abdominal and thoracic air sacs are compressed by body muscles to move air through the respiratory system.
C)Two respiratory cycles are required to move a volume of air through the respiratory system.
D)Birds have a greater rate of oxygen consumption than any other vertebrate.
17.

In some birds, for example spotted sandpipers, males establish nest sites. A female will mate with more than one male and lay a clutch of eggs in each male's nest. The males then care for the eggs. This reproductive process is called
A)monogamy.
B)polygyny.
C)polyandry.
D)ovoviviparity.
18.

A reproductive process called ______ is common among birds when resources are widely and evenly distributed. One parent often incubates and protects the eggs or chicks while the other parent searches for food.
A)monogamy
B)polygyny
C)polyandry
D)ovoviviparity
19.

The anterior margin of a bird's wing is thicker than the posterior margin. The upper surface of the wing is slightly convex. As air passes over the wing, a low-pressure area is created under the wing and creates lift needed for flight.
A)True
B)False
20.

Birds dissipate excess heat through perspiration from sweat glands.
A)True
B)False
21.

In vertebrate evolution, the sinus venosus has decreased in size. In the birds, the sinus venosus is reduced to a patch of pacemaker tissue in the right atrium of the heart.
A)True
B)False
22.

Uncinate processes on the ribs of birds strengthen the rib cage. They are unique to members of the class Aves.
A)True
B)False
23.

The crop is a diverticulum of the stomach of a bird and is used to store and abrade food. It allows birds to feed on abundant resources quickly and then retreat to a safe location for digestion.
A)True
B)False
24.

A volume of air is inspired by a bird. After the next inspiration the first volume of air would be in the thoracic air sacs of the bird.
A)True
B)False
25.

A volume of air is inspired by a bird. During this inspiration, air moves to the abdominal air sacs.
A)True
B)False
26.

Birds have two foveae per eye. The search fovea gives birds good monocular vision. The pursuit fovea gives birds binocular vision and depth perception.
A)True
B)False
27.

The major center for integration of sensory information in the brain of a bird is a region of gray matter in the midbrain called the medulla oblongata.
A)True
B)False
28.

Altricial chicks, like those of killdeer, are alert and lively shortly after hatching.
A)True
B)False
29.

Fossil discoveries of feathered dinosaurs support the close relationships between dinosaurs and birds. Some fossil dinosaurs also show the furcula where flight muscles attach in birds.
A)True
B)False
30.

The class Reptilia could be made monophyletic by including the birds.
A)True
B)False
31.

Birds are exothermic.
A)True
B)False
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