1. The Animal Kingdom

2. The Kingdom Animalia has by far, the greatest diversity of named organisms (approximately 1,000,000 species) compared to Kingdom Plantae (300,000 species), Kingdom Fungi (70,000 species), Kingdom Protista (31,000 species) and Kingdom Monera (10,000 species).

3. Animal Characteristics 1. Animals are multi-cellular heterotrophic eukaryotes who feed on other organisms and have ways of moving, which enable them to obtain food.  An animal’s ability to move is directly related to its method for obtaining food.  Different species use different means of locomotion.

4. Animal Characteristics 2. The cells that make up the animal body are specialized to perform specific functions. With the exception of “simple” animals, animal cells are organized to form tissues, tissues are organized to form organs, and organs are organized to form organ systems.

5. Animal Characteristics 3.Most animals have well-developed sense organs and nervous systems and can respond rapidly to stimuli. - example: 5 senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch) 4. Most animals reproduce sexually, with large eggs (which do not move) and small, flagellated sperm. Sperm and egg unite to form a fertilized egg, which then goes through a series of developmental stages before becoming a larva or immature form. Egg & Sperm Sense of Smell

6. Body Plans Animals can be grouped according to their body structure. Radial Symmetry: Animals with radial symmetry have body parts which are arranged like spokes on a wheel that radiate from the center. Example: Hydra Bilateral Symmetry: Animals with bilateral symmetry have a left and right side which are mirror images of each other. Example: Lobster Radial Symmetry Bilateral Symmetry

7. Vertebrates Animals can also be grouped into two groups, vertebrates or invertebrates, according to whether or not they have a backbone. Vertebrates are animals that possess a spinal column (backbone). In these animals, the backbone serves as protection for the spinal cord, and gives the animal structural support. Vertebrates are also said to have an endoskeleton, which means they have skeletons inside their bodies. -- Examples: Mammals, Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds

8. Invertebrates are animals without a spinal column (no backbone). Many of these animals possess an exoskeleton (external skeleton), which is a hard, waxy covering on the outside of the body which provides a framework for support, provides protection, and prevents excess water loss. -- Examples: Crab, Spider, Grasshopper, Dragonfly Invertebrates