Mammals as Consumers
6 Unique Features of Mammals
There are about 5,700 different mammalian species
Additional important feature: Mammals are endotherms: Internal control of body temperature. However this is not a unique feature of the mammals
Scientists identify 3 kinds of Mammals in relation to the birthing process
- Fur or hair at some stage of life cycle
- Females have mammary glands – suckle young.
- Sweat glands
- Three auditory ossicles (Ear bones)
- Neo cortex portion of the brain (thinking)
- Most are viviparous (Live young)
There are about 5,700 different mammalian species
Additional important feature: Mammals are endotherms: Internal control of body temperature. However this is not a unique feature of the mammals
Scientists identify 3 kinds of Mammals in relation to the birthing process
- Eutherian/Placental: developed mini versions are born
- Marsupial: undeveloped fetus born
- Monotremes: Foetus hatched from egg
Below is a link to a basic introduction to remind you about the Mammals
This is a 4 min clip which gives you a quick summary and overview of mammals
Mammals as Consumers: NCEA 1.5
This topic is all about the Mammals and their role as Consumers.
"Consumers" are living things that need to eat or consume other things in order to live. (The opposite of a consumer is a producer - these are plants which can make their own energy and do not need to eat other living organisims in order to survive)
The main focus in this topic is about food and energy supplies.
The main processes in this topic are Cell Respiration and Digestion.
Interwoven through these ideas is an understanding of the digestive system, the circulatory system and the respiratory system.
These things all link together so that the mammal has energy in order to carry out the living processes of MRS GREN.
"Consumers" are living things that need to eat or consume other things in order to live. (The opposite of a consumer is a producer - these are plants which can make their own energy and do not need to eat other living organisims in order to survive)
The main focus in this topic is about food and energy supplies.
The main processes in this topic are Cell Respiration and Digestion.
Interwoven through these ideas is an understanding of the digestive system, the circulatory system and the respiratory system.
These things all link together so that the mammal has energy in order to carry out the living processes of MRS GREN.
Consumers and MRS GREN
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Overview of the systems in the body
Below is a 8-9 minute clip on how the different body systems work together.
The Digestive System
This Overview of the Digestive system
The digestive system is basically just a long tube which runs through the body from one end to another. The food goes in one end - the mouth. As the food travels through the tube a whole heap of different processes happen so that the nutrients can be extracted from the food eaten or CONSUMED.
The complex chemicals that make up the food are broken down into simple compounds. This is the process of DIGESTION - how the food is broken down by enzymes so it can be absorbed into the blood.
The simple compounds are able to be taken out of the digestive tube and are absorbed into the blood. Once these compounds/nutrients are in the blood the circulatory system delivers the nutrients to the individual cells.
Not all the food eaten is able to be broken down, so the material that is left over is excreted out the other end of the digestive system - the anus..
The digestive system is basically just a long tube which runs through the body from one end to another. The food goes in one end - the mouth. As the food travels through the tube a whole heap of different processes happen so that the nutrients can be extracted from the food eaten or CONSUMED.
The complex chemicals that make up the food are broken down into simple compounds. This is the process of DIGESTION - how the food is broken down by enzymes so it can be absorbed into the blood.
The simple compounds are able to be taken out of the digestive tube and are absorbed into the blood. Once these compounds/nutrients are in the blood the circulatory system delivers the nutrients to the individual cells.
Not all the food eaten is able to be broken down, so the material that is left over is excreted out the other end of the digestive system - the anus..
Parts of the digestive system
Mouth
The process of getting food into the mouth is called INGESTION. The main thing that happens in the mouth is physical breakdown of the food. The teeth and tongue work together to break up the size of the food particles to make them smaller. This process is called MASTICATION. This is important for 2 reasons. Firstly the food material must be made smaller and be well lubricated so that it can be easily swallowed. Secondly as the food is broken down into smaller particles the surface area of the food is increased. This makes the enzymes able to work more efficiently. (Remember the information we did on enzymes and how they work? ) |
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The swallowing process.
This is how food travels from the mouth to the stomach. The tube that connects these 2 areas is called the oesophagus. |
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The Stomach
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The large intestine
There are several parts to the large intestine: The caecum, the colon, the rectum and the anus are all specialized areas of the large intestine. The large intestine has a very wide diameter compared to the small intestine. The large intestine is much shorter than the small intestine. The caecum and the colon often have special microbes living inside them. These microbes breakdown material further so that it can be absorbed. The colon absorbs the final nutrients and water. A lot of liquid has been added to the food as it passes through the digestive system, so it is important that it is reabsorbed. both the colon and the rectum help reabsorb liquids. Food moves through the large intestine by muscular contractions called peristalsis. |
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Comparing Digestive systems
Are humans carnivores or herbivores?
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Gas Exchange
This link below is a NZ site which covers everything you need to know and a bit more.