Chapter 3 · ICSE Class 7 Biology (Selina Concise)

Classification of Animals

Discover how animals are classified into vertebrates and invertebrates, and the major groups within each.

🐾 Chapter 3

A classification tree dividing animals into vertebrates and invertebrates A simple classification tree showing animals split into two groups: vertebrates, which have a backbone, and invertebrates, which do not Animals Vertebrates Invertebrates have a backbone no backbone e.g. fish, birds e.g. insects, worms
3.1

Vertebrates

Vertebrates have a backbone, and include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

1

Which vertebrate group can live both in water and on land?

Amphibians (like frogs)

2

What distinguishes mammals from other vertebrates?

Mammals have hair/fur, give birth to live young (mostly), and produce milk for their offspring

3.2

Invertebrates

Invertebrates lack a backbone, and include insects, worms, molluscs, and many other groups.

1

Is an earthworm a vertebrate or invertebrate?

Invertebrate, since it lacks a backbone

2

Name a group of invertebrates with a hard external shell.

Molluscs (like snails) or crustaceans (like crabs)

Practice

Exercises

1. What is a vertebrate?

2. Name the five main groups of vertebrates.

3. Is an insect a vertebrate or invertebrate?

4. What distinguishes birds from other vertebrates?

5. Name an invertebrate group.

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