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

2:40 minutes

Problem 5

Textbook Question

Why is it ecologically significant that animals are heterotrophic and multicellular?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the terms: Heterotrophic organisms obtain their energy by consuming other organisms, while multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells that can differentiate and perform specialized functions.

Recognize the ecological role of heterotrophs: Heterotrophic animals play a crucial role in ecosystems by transferring energy across different trophic levels, from producers to higher-level consumers through feeding relationships.

Consider the importance of multicellularity: Multicellular organisms can develop complex structures and systems (like digestive systems in animals) that allow them to efficiently process food and absorb nutrients, supporting higher levels of organization and interaction within ecosystems.

Link to biodiversity and ecosystem stability: Multicellular, heterotrophic animals contribute to biodiversity. Their interactions with other species (predation, herbivory, decomposition) help regulate population dynamics and nutrient cycling, which are essential for ecosystem stability.

Reflect on evolutionary significance: The evolution of multicellularity and heterotrophy has allowed animals to exploit a variety of ecological niches, leading to a wide range of forms and behaviors that increase the adaptability and resilience of ecosystems.

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.

Heterotrophy

Heterotrophy refers to the mode of nutrition in which organisms obtain their food by consuming other organisms or organic matter. Unlike autotrophs, which produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, heterotrophs rely on the energy stored in the bodies of plants, animals, and decomposed materials. This process is crucial for energy transfer within ecosystems, as it links various trophic levels and supports food webs.

Multicellularity

Multicellularity is the condition of being composed of multiple cells that work together to perform various functions. This organization allows for greater complexity and specialization of cells, leading to the development of tissues and organs. In ecological terms, multicellular organisms can occupy diverse niches and interact with their environment in more sophisticated ways, enhancing ecosystem stability and resilience.

Ecological Interdependence

Ecological interdependence refers to the interconnected relationships among organisms within an ecosystem, where the survival of one species often depends on others. Heterotrophic and multicellular animals play vital roles in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and population control. Their interactions, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis, contribute to the overall health and balance of ecosystems, making their ecological significance profound.

Watch next

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

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

True or false?

New major animal body plans have continued to evolve since the Cambrian about 550 million years ago.

766

views

Textbook Question

Which of the following combinations of phylum and description is correct?

a. Echinodermata—radial symmetry as a larva, coelom

b. Nematoda—roundworms, internal skeleton

c. Platyhelminthes—flatworms, gastrovascular cavity, no body cavity

d. Porifera—gastrovascular cavity, coelom

1933

views

Textbook Question

Based on the tree in Figure 32.11, which statement is false?

<IMAGE>

a. The animal kingdom is monophyletic.

b. Acoelomate flatworms are more closely related to echinoderms than to annelids.

c. Sponges are basal animals.

d. Bilaterians form a clade.

983

views

Textbook Question

Select True or False for each statement.

Sister chromatids are homologous chromosomes.

Non-sister chromatids are found on two different homologs.

Crossing over occurs between sister chromatids.

A chiasma forms between two of the four molecules of double-stranded DNA on duplicated homologous chromosomes.

1042

views

Textbook Question

Which of the following animal groups does not have tissues derived from mesoderm?

a. Annelids

b. Echinoderms

c. Cnidarians

d. Flatworms

1260

views

Textbook Question

If you followed a woman's cells through meiosis, at what stage of meiosis would the amount of DNA in one of these cells be equal to the amount of DNA in one of her G1 phase (before DNA replication) kidney cells?

865

views

Textbook Question

Evaluate this statement: Animals evolved from simple to complex.

849

views

Textbook Question

A species of rotifer, a small freshwater invertebrate, lost the ability to reproduce sexually millions of years ago. A remarkable feature of its life cycle is the ability to withstand dry conditions. When the rotifer's environment dries out, so does the rotifer, and it can be blown to a new area. Rotifers that land in water will rehydrate and resume an active life. A major pathogen of these rotifers is a species of fungus that cannot survive drying. Some scientists hypothesize that drying rids the rotifers of this pathogen. Design an experimental study to test this hypothesis.

836

views

Show more practices

Download the Mobile app

Privacy

Do not sell my personal information

Accessibility

Patent notice

Sitemap