This document outlines the key differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. It provides details on the nutrition, respiration, reproduction, and physical characteristics of five vertebrate groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Mammals are distinguished by giving birth to live young, having fur or hair, and nursing their young. Birds lay eggs, have feathers, hollow bones and beaks. Reptiles have scales, lay eggs and include snakes, lizards and turtles. Amphibians undergo metamorphosis from aquatic youth to terrestrial adults and have moist skin.

1. UNIT 3-NATURAL SCIENCE OUTLINE
VERTEBRATES vs. INVERTEBRATES
UNIT OUTLINE
VERTEBRATES vs. INVERTEBRATES
(Backbone) (no backbone)
Mammals (horse, whale, cat, bear…) Arthropods(spiders,butterfly, crabs, worms…)
Birds (hen, eagle, pellican…) Molluscs (snail, octopus, clams…)
Fish (salmon, trout, sharks…) .
Reptiles (snake, turtle, crocodile…) .
Amphibians (frog, salamander,...) .

2. VERTEBRATES-MAMMALS
NUTRITION: Babies drink mother’s milk.
RESPIRATION:All mammals breathe through their LUNGS.
REPRODUCTION: Almost all mammals are
VIVIPAROUS. Mammals give birth.

3. VERTEBRATES-MAMMALS
MAMMALS PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Most mammals live on LAND, and have 4 legs.
Most mammals have fur or hair to keep them warm.
Some mammals live in WATER, and use flippers to
move - swim.

4. VERTEBRATES- BIRDS
NUTRITION: Birds can be HERVIBORES(plants), CARNIVORES(meat),
OMNIVORES(plants+meat).
Adult birds feed their chicks when they are young
RESPIRATION:All birds breathe through their LUNGS.
REPRODUCTION: all birds areOVIPAROUS. Birds lay eggs, babies reproduce inside
the egg until it hatches. Birds need to “warm” their eggs.

5. VERTEBRATES- BIRDS
Most birds can FLY.
Thanks to their wings, tail and feathers.
Birds have light hollow bones, which help them
fly.
Birds use their beak to eat.

6. VERTEBRATES- REPTILES
NUTRITION: almost all reptiles are CARNIVORES,or OMNIVORES(plants+meat)
Reptiles live mostly on land, but some live also in water.
RESPIRATION:All reptiles breathe through their LUNGS.
REPRODUCTION: all reptiles are OVIPAROUS. Reptiles lay eggs, babies reproduce
inside the egg until it hatches.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: Reptiles have SCALES, which protect them and avoid
water evaporation. Scales also serve as camouflage. Most reptiles have arms and
legs, so they can run and walk...but some others don’s such as the snake which
slithers. Other reptiles swim.

7. AMPHIBIANS REPTILES
NUTRITION: most amphibians are CARNIVORES,They live both on land, and in
water.
RESPIRATION:Baby amphibians breathe through GILLS, while they live in water,
later on land when they are adults breathe through their LUNGS and MOIST SKIN.
REPRODUCTION: all amphibians are OVIPAROUS. They lay eggs.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: amphibians have
MOIST skin which absorbs oxygen. Most
amphibians transform their appearance since they
are babies. This transformation is called
METAMORPHOSIS.

8. AMPHIBIANS REPTILES
NUTRITION: most amphibians are CARNIVORES,They live both on land, and in
water.
RESPIRATION:Baby amphibians breathe through GILLS, while they live in water,
later on land when they are adults breathe through their LUNGS and MOIST SKIN.
REPRODUCTION: all amphibians are OVIPAROUS. They lay eggs.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: amphibians have
MOIST skin which absorbs oxygen. Most
amphibians transform their appearance since they
are babies. This transformation is called
METAMORPHOSIS.