What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology
What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9781464157745
Author: Jay Phelan
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Question
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Chapter 11, Problem 1SA
Summary Introduction

To review:

The three characteristics that define animals.

Introduction:

Animals form a large and highly diverse kingdom in nature, with organisms ranging from primitive lifeforms with no organs, to highly organized complex life forms like the mammals.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The features that characterize animals are -

  1. Heterotrophic nutrition - no animal can make its own food; they need to acquire nutrition by consuming other organisms.
  2. Multicellular, eukaryotic body - all animals are multicellular, even if the cells are not organized into organs.
  3. Locomotion - most animals move at some point in their life, at least during the larval stages.
Conclusion

Heterotrophic nutrition, multicellular body and locomotion are the three defining characteristics of animals.

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