Zoology Basics
Zoology is the study of animals and involves research in many aspects of animal life such as behavior, diet, evolution, classification, and distribution.
Six Basic Animal Groups
Scientists estimate that there may be between 3 and 30 million species of animals on our planet. If you're just starting to learn about animals and wildlife, it would be an overwhelming task to try and memorize species, one by one. Instead, an understanding of the main groups of animals provides a good foundation for further learning. In this article, we'll take a look at six groups of animals, t…
Scientists estimate that there may be between 3 and 30 million species of animals on our planet. If you're just starting to learn about animals and wildlife, it would be an overwhelming task to try and memorize species, one by one. Instead, an understanding of the main groups of animals provides a good foundation for further learning. In this article, we'll take a look at six groups of animals, t…
Animal Fact Files
animal facts
animal facts
How Many Species Inhabit Our Planet
The estimated number of animals on our planet falls somewhere in the vast range of 3-30 million species. How do we come up with that estimate? Let's take a look at some groups of animals to see how many species fall within the various categories.
The estimated number of animals on our planet falls somewhere in the vast range of 3-30 million species. How do we come up with that estimate? Let's take a look at some groups of animals to see how many species fall within the various categories.
An Introduction to Zoology
Zoology is the study of animals (Gr. zoon, animal + logos, to study). This sounds like a simple definition, but upon further clarification, the "study of animals" turns out to be a broad and complex subject matter. The "study of animals" calls upon many other scientific disciplines.
Zoology is the study of animals (Gr. zoon, animal + logos, to study). This sounds like a simple definition, but upon further clarification, the "study of animals" turns out to be a broad and complex subject matter. The "study of animals" calls upon many other scientific disciplines.
Animal Cells, Tissues, Organs and Organ Systems
The buildling blocks of matter (elements and molecules) form the basis for increasingly complex substances that make up living organisms. Simple molecules combine to form more complex macromolecules which in turn are the building blocks for the membranes and organelles that make up living cells.
The buildling blocks of matter (elements and molecules) form the basis for increasingly complex substances that make up living organisms. Simple molecules combine to form more complex macromolecules which in turn are the building blocks for the membranes and organelles that make up living cells.
Animals and Their Environment
A first step to understanding individual animals, and in turn populations of animals, is to understand the relationship they have with their environment.
A first step to understanding individual animals, and in turn populations of animals, is to understand the relationship they have with their environment.
Chordates (Chordata)
The unifying characteristic of chordates (Chordata) is the presense of a notochord (an internal skeletal rod that provides support) during some stage of the animal's development.
The unifying characteristic of chordates (Chordata) is the presense of a notochord (an internal skeletal rod that provides support) during some stage of the animal's development.
Communities and Ecosystems
The natural world is characterized by many complex interactions and relationships between animals, plants, and their environment. Individual belong, in turn, to populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.
The natural world is characterized by many complex interactions and relationships between animals, plants, and their environment. Individual belong, in turn, to populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.
How Animal Populations Interact
Populations of animals interact with each other and their environment in a variety of ways. One of the primary interactions a population has with its environment and other populations is due to feeding behavior.
Populations of animals interact with each other and their environment in a variety of ways. One of the primary interactions a population has with its environment and other populations is due to feeding behavior.
How Animals Move Underwater
The underwater world holds many challenges. The most basic of these is movement. The density of water makes it difficult for animals to move.
The underwater world holds many challenges. The most basic of these is movement. The density of water makes it difficult for animals to move.
How Many Species Inhabit Our Planet?
It is valuable to have some idea of how many species inhabit our planet—it gives us the perspective necessary to balance research and conservation objectives to ensure some groups of animals are not overlooked and helps us to better understand community structure and dynamics.
It is valuable to have some idea of how many species inhabit our planet—it gives us the perspective necessary to balance research and conservation objectives to ensure some groups of animals are not overlooked and helps us to better understand community structure and dynamics.
Population Growth and Regulation
Populations are groups of individuals belonging to the same species that live in the same region at the same time. Populations, like individual organisms, have unique attributes.
Populations are groups of individuals belonging to the same species that live in the same region at the same time. Populations, like individual organisms, have unique attributes.
Quiz - Do You Know Your Animal Groups?
The animals in the pictures that follow all belong to one of six basic groups (amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals, or reptiles). Select the appropriate group for each animal pictured.
The animals in the pictures that follow all belong to one of six basic groups (amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals, or reptiles). Select the appropriate group for each animal pictured.
Quiz: An Introduction to Zoology
This quiz is based on the content covered in the Zoology 101 online course.
This quiz is based on the content covered in the Zoology 101 online course.
The Anatomy of a Cell
The cell is a fundamental component of our modern definition of life and living things. The cell is regarded as the basic building block of life and is used in the elusive definition of what it means to be 'alive'.
The cell is a fundamental component of our modern definition of life and living things. The cell is regarded as the basic building block of life and is used in the elusive definition of what it means to be 'alive'.
The Difference Between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
All living organisms can be sorted into one of two groups depending on the fundamental structure of their cells. These two groups are the prokaryotes and the eukaryotes.
All living organisms can be sorted into one of two groups depending on the fundamental structure of their cells. These two groups are the prokaryotes and the eukaryotes.
The Six Basic Groups of Animals
If you're just starting to learn about animals and wildlife, it would be an overwhelming task to try and memorize species, one by one. Instead, an understanding of the main groups of animals provides a good foundation for further learning.
If you're just starting to learn about animals and wildlife, it would be an overwhelming task to try and memorize species, one by one. Instead, an understanding of the main groups of animals provides a good foundation for further learning.
Understanding Animal Organ Systems
Animals' bodies are made up of various organ systems, groups of organs that work together to perform a function. In this article you can find out more about the different organ systems animals can have.
Animals' bodies are made up of various organ systems, groups of organs that work together to perform a function. In this article you can find out more about the different organ systems animals can have.
What is a Vestige?
When used with respect to animals (and other organisms), the term vestige refers to an under-developed and often no-longer-used body part that was present in fully developed and functional form in past generations.
When used with respect to animals (and other organisms), the term vestige refers to an under-developed and often no-longer-used body part that was present in fully developed and functional form in past generations.
What is Counter Shading?
Counter shading is a common color pattern in animals in which the dorsal side (upper side) of the animal is darker than the ventral (lower) side. Such a color pattern provides camouflage for the animal when viewed from above, below, and even from the side.
Counter shading is a common color pattern in animals in which the dorsal side (upper side) of the animal is darker than the ventral (lower) side. Such a color pattern provides camouflage for the animal when viewed from above, below, and even from the side.
What is Sexual Dimorphism?
Sexual dimorphism is the difference in form between male and female members of the same species.
Sexual dimorphism is the difference in form between male and female members of the same species.
What Makes an Organism an Animal?
What is an animal? It's a simple enough question, but the answer is complex and requires an understanding of some rather hefty scientific concepts and terms.
What is an animal? It's a simple enough question, but the answer is complex and requires an understanding of some rather hefty scientific concepts and terms.