Comparative Anatomy of animals MCQs January 8, 2026March 13, 2024 by u930973931_answers 50 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. Which of the following is a defining characteristic of chordates? (A) A notochord (B) Bilateral symmetry (C) Jointed appendages (D) Exoskeleton 2. In vertebrates, the notochord is replaced by what structure during embryonic development? (A) Spinal cord (B) Vertebrae (C) Backbone (D) Cartilage 3. Which of the following is a feature unique to mammals? (A) Feathered wings (B) Amniotic egg (C) Mammary glands (D) Cold-blooded metabolism 4. What is the function of the tympanic membrane in vertebrates? (A) Breathing (B) Vision (C) Smelling (D) Hearing 5. The forelimbs of vertebrates such as humans, bats, and whales are considered: (A) Analogous structures (B) Homologous structures (C) Vestigial structures (D) Convergent structures 6. In which group of animals do gills serve as the primary respiratory organs? (A) Fish (B) Amphibians (C) Reptiles (D) Mammals 7. Which of the following structures is NOT part of the human digestive system? (A) Spleen (B) Pancreas (C) Small intestine (D) Esophagus 8. Birds are unique among vertebrates because they have: (A) Four-chambered hearts (B) Lungs with alveoli (C) Hollow bones (D) Mammary glands 9. Which of the following is a characteristic of arthropods? (A) Radial symmetry (B) Soft body covering (C) Closed circulatory system (D) Segmented body 10. The exoskeleton of arthropods is primarily composed of: (A) Chitin (B) Calcium carbonate (C) Keratin (D) Collagen 11. What is the function of the swim bladder in fish? (A) Digestion (B) Buoyancy control (C) Reproduction (D) Respiration 12. Which of the following is a characteristic of echinoderms? (A) Bilateral symmetry (B) Endoskeleton made of cartilage (C) Segmented body plan (D) Water vascular system 13. In which group of animals does external fertilization commonly occur? (A) Fish (B) Birds (C) Mammals (D) Reptiles 14. Which of the following structures is unique to birds and allows them to efficiently exchange gases during respiration? (A) Lungs (B) Trachea (C) Alveoli (D) Air sacs 15. The presence of a notochord is a characteristic feature of which group of animals? (A) Arthropods (B) Chordates (C) Mollusks (D) Echinoderms 16. What is the primary function of the nephron in vertebrates? (A) Excretion (B) Reproduction (C) Digestion (D) Respiration 17. The digestive system of herbivores is adapted for the breakdown of: (A) Meat (B) Plants (C) Insects (D) Both plants and meat 18. Which of the following is a characteristic of reptiles? (A) External fertilization (B) Cold-blooded metabolism (C) Larval stage in life cycle (D) Gills for respiration 19. The pectoral and pelvic fins of fish are homologous to which structures in tetrapods? (A) Arms and legs (B) Wings (C) Tails (D) Gills 20. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of chordates but not present in all vertebrates? (A) Post-anal tail (B) Dorsal nerve cord (C) Pharyngeal slits (D) Notochord 21. In mammals, what structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity? (A) Diaphragm (B) Rib cage (C) Pelvis (D) Liver 22. Which of the following is a function of the skeletal system in animals? (A) Transport of oxygen (B) Production of hormones (C) Regulation of body temperature (D) Protection of internal organs 23. The wings of birds and bats are examples of: (A) Homologous structures (B) Convergent structures (C) Vestigial structures (D) Analogous structures 24. Which of the following is a characteristic of mollusks? (A) Mantle for shell secretion (B) Exoskeleton made of chitin (C) Radial symmetry (D) Segmented body plan 25. What is the purpose of the lateral line system in fish? (A) Balance and equilibrium (B) Olfaction (C) Detection of water pressure changes (D) Electroreception 26. Which of the following is a characteristic of insects? (A) Internal fertilization (B) Closed circulatory system (C) Three pairs of legs (D) Mammary glands 27. What structure in arthropods allows for gas exchange? (A) Spiracles (B) Gills (C) Book lungs (D) Tracheae 28. The excretory system of vertebrates is responsible for the removal of: (A) Nitrogenous waste (B) Carbon dioxide (C) Oxygen (D) Water 29. Which of the following is a function of the nervous system in animals? (A) Coordination of movement (B) Transport of nutrients (C) Regulation of body temperature (D) Exchange of gases 30. The development of amniotic eggs was an important adaptation for: (A) Fish (B) Amphibians (C) Birds (D) Reptiles 31. In which group of animals does metamorphosis commonly occur? (A) Fish (B) Mammals (C) Amphibians (D) Birds 32. What is the primary function of the gills in aquatic animals? (A) Olfaction (B) Respiration (C) Digestion (D) Excretion 33. Which of the following structures is unique to vertebrates? (A) Exoskeleton (B) Radula (C) Notochord (D) Antennae 34. What is the function of the amniotic fluid in amniotic eggs? (A) Waste removal (B) Gas exchange (C) Nutrition (D) Protection 35. Which of the following is a characteristic of endotherms? (A) Reliance on external heat sources (B) Cold-blooded metabolism (C) Regulation of body temperature through behavior (D) Ectothermic 36. Which of the following is a characteristic of arachnids? (A) Six legs (B) Backbone (C) Slimy skin (D) Wings for flight 37. The exoskeleton of arachnids is primarily composed of: (A) Chitin (B) Calcium carbonate (C) Keratin (D) Collagen 38. What structure do birds use for gas exchange during respiration? (A) Alveoli (B) Gills (C) Spiracles (D) Air sacs 39. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of mammals? (A) Mammary glands (B) Laying eggs (C) Hair or fur (D) Warm-blooded metabolism 40. What is the primary function of the cloaca in reptiles? (A) Reproduction (B) Digestion (C) Excretion (D) Respiration 41. The presence of a swim bladder is a characteristic feature of which group of animals? (A) Reptiles (B) Amphibians (C) Fish (D) Birds 42. Which of the following is a characteristic of annelids? (A) Exoskeleton (B) Segmented body (C) Jointed appendages (D) Suction cup feet 43. What is the primary function of the lateral line system in fish? (A) Regulating buoyancy (B) Capturing prey (C) Detecting changes in water pressure (D) Sensing light 44. Which of the following is a characteristic of echinoderms? (A) Jointed appendages (B) Closed circulatory system (C) Exoskeleton made of chitin (D) Radial symmetry 45. The process of molting is characteristic of which group of animals? (A) Mammals (B) Insects (C) Birds (D) Fish 46. Which of the following is a characteristic of cartilaginous fish? (A) Bony skeleton (B) Lateral line system (C) Gills covered by an operculum (D) Swim bladder 47. What is the purpose of the excretory system in animals? (A) Removal of metabolic waste (B) Regulation of body temperature (C) Digestion of food (D) Transport of oxygen 48. The crop and gizzard are parts of the digestive system of which group of animals? (A) Mammals (B) Fish (C) Amphibians (D) Birds 49. What is the primary function of the tracheal system in insects? (A) Gas exchange (B) Reproduction (C) Locomotion (D) Digestion 50. The presence of a mantle is a characteristic feature of which group of animals? (A) Mollusks (B) Annelids (C) Cnidarians (D) Arachnids