Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

30. Overview of Animals

Overview of Animals

General Biology

30. Overview of Animals

Overview of Animals

Previous problemNext problem

1:03 minutes

Problem 1

Textbook Question

One of the characteristics unique to animals is
a. Gastrulation
b. Multicellularity
c. Sexual reproduction
d. Flagellated sperm

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the question: It asks for a characteristic unique to animals, meaning it should be a feature that is not found in other kingdoms like plants, fungi, or protists.

Review the options: a. gastrulation, b. multicellularity, c. sexual reproduction, d. flagellated sperm.

Consider each option: Multicellularity (b) is found in plants and fungi, sexual reproduction (c) is common in many organisms including plants and fungi, flagellated sperm (d) can be found in some plants and protists.

Focus on gastrulation (a): Gastrulation is a phase early in the embryonic development of most animals, during which the single-layered blastula is reorganized into a multilayered structure known as the gastrula. This process is unique to animals.

Conclude that gastrulation is the characteristic unique to animals, as it is a developmental process not found in other kingdoms.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Gastrulation

Gastrulation is a crucial phase in embryonic development where the single-layered blastula reorganizes into a multilayered structure known as the gastrula. This process establishes the primary germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, which later differentiate into various tissues and organs. Gastrulation is unique to animals and is essential for proper development.

Multicellularity

Multicellularity refers to organisms composed of multiple cells that work collaboratively, allowing for specialization and division of labor among different cell types. This characteristic is not exclusive to animals, as plants, fungi, and some protists also exhibit multicellularity. It enables complex structures and functions, such as tissues and organs, to develop.

Flagellated Sperm

Flagellated sperm are sperm cells equipped with a flagellum, a whip-like structure that enables motility, allowing them to swim towards the egg for fertilization. This feature is common in many animal species, facilitating sexual reproduction. While flagellated sperm are prevalent in animals, they are not unique to them, as some plants and algae also produce flagellated gametes.

Watch next

Master Overview of Animals - 1 with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Multiple Choice

The zygotes of many protostomes undergo __________ cleavage and __________ cleavage.

An animal with a true coelom that has __________ cleavage must be a(n) __________.

Which of the following is a trait shared by protostomes and deuterostomes?

Name two phyla of animals that are radially symmetric and two that are bilaterally symmetric. How do the general lifestyles of radial and bilateral animals differ?

1000

views

Textbook Question

The table below lists the common names of the nine animal phyla surveyed in this chapter. For each phylum, list the key characteristics and some representatives.

1308

views

Textbook Question

Which synapomorphy (shared, derived trait) distinguishes animals as a monophyletic group, distinct from choanoflagellates?

a. Multicellularity

b. Coloniality

c. Heterotrophy

d. Movement

1240

views

Textbook Question

The distinction between sponges and other animal phyla is based mainly on the absence versus the presence of