The major functions of roots absorption of water and minerals from the soil and anchoring the plant in the soil. In addition to these functions, some roots are modified to perform certain specialized functions. Such modifications are called root modifications. Root modified as Food Storage Organs The roots of certain plants are modified for storing … Read more

Habitat: They are found in a variety of habitats – polar ice caps, deserts, mountains, forests, grasslands and dark caves. Some of them have adapted to fly or live in water. Examples: Oviparous- Ornithorhynchus (Platypus) – Egg laying mammal. Viviparous – Gives birth to young ones. Elephas (Elephant) Equus (Horse) Delphinus (Common dolphin) Balaenoptera (Blue … Read more

In a typical angiosperm, the plant body is differentiated into four parts- root, stem, leaves and flowers. The root, stem and leaves constitute the vegetative part, while the flowers constitute the reproductive organ. The plant body consists of two systems, an underground root system, and the shoot system (found above the ground). The root system … Read more

The characteristic features of Aves (birds) are the presence of feathers and most of them can fly except flightless birds (e.g., Ostrich). Examples: Corvus (Crow) Columba (Pigeon) Psittacula (Parrot) Struthio (Ostrich) Pavo (Peacock) Aptenodytes (Penguin) Body characteristics: They have a streamlined body that helps them to fly. The jaws are modified into beak. Teeth are … Read more

The term reptilia is derived from the Latin word repere or reptum, which means to creep or crawl. Hence, the class name refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion. Habitat: They are mostly terrestrial animals. Examples: Chelone (Turtle) Chameleon (Tree lizard) Crocodilus (Crocodile) Testudo (Tortoise) Calotes (Garden lizard) Alligator (Alligator) Naja (Cobra) Bangarus … Read more

The members of Class Amphibia (Gr., Amphi : dual, bios, life) can live in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats. Examples: Bufo (Toad) Rana (Frog) Hyla (Tree frog) Salamandra (Salamander) Ichthyophis (Limbless amphibia) Body characteristics: Body is divisible into head and trunk (tail is present in some of them). But neck is absent. Trunk bears … Read more

This class includes fishes with bony endoskeleton. Fins also have bony rays. Habitat: They are found in both marine and fresh water habitats. Examples: Marine Freshwater Aquarium Exocoetus (Flying fish) Labeo (Rohu) Betta (Fighting fish) Hippocampus (Sea horse) Clarias (Magur) Pterophyllum (Angel fish) Body characteristics: Their body is streamlined. Mouth is mostly terminal. They have … Read more

The animals possess jaws and paired lateral appendages. The group is divided into 7 classes. Class Placodermi (extinct) Class Chondrichthyes Class Osteichthyes Class Amphibia Class Reptilia Class Aves Class Mammalia Class : Chondrichthyes Class Chondrichthyes (Chondros – cartilage; ichthys – fish) consists of fishes with cartilagenous endoskeleton. Habitat: All members are marine. These animals are … Read more

In vertebrates, the notochord developed during the embryonic stage is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column which forms a protection covering around the dorsal tubular nerve cord. Head is well developed and sense organs are present. The brain is protected by a cranium. They have a ventral muscular heart with one, two, three … Read more

All the animals belonging to Phylum Chordata possess certain fundamental and unique characteristic features. They possess a notochord (or chorda dorsalis) which persists as such throughout their life in some animals, or is replaced by a well developed vertebral column in some others. They have a dorsal, hollow, tubular nerve cord (also known as spinal … Read more