REFLECTION ON ANIMAL LOCOMOTION

Birds Locomotion in birds is by flying.

Birds generate thrust by flapping their wings through upstroke and downstroke.
This is required for them to generate aerodynamic force.
The sum of lift and drag is the aerodynamic force required to thrust.
They feather the tips of their wings during upstroke to help the generate a negative
thrust and to easily return wings to the initial position to begin a new downstroke.
Muscles involved to do this are
1) Pectoralis major
2) Supra coracoid
Fish Locomotion in fish is by swimming.
The two major problems fish encounter during swimming is water resistance and
stability.
They overcome water resistance by possessing streamlined body shape and slimy scales
directed backwards.
Stability involves Pitching, Yawing and Rolling. These are overcomed by the presence of
specialized fins such as pectoral, pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins.
The caudal fin serve as a propeller to move the fish forward.
Muscle involved in moving is the Myotomes.
Quadupeds Movement in quadrupeds is achieved by walking on their fours.
Locomotion is basically controlled by the rear legs(Pelvis).
When the pelvis is up, the chest goes down and vice versa. The head move in the
direction of the pelvis by going up when the pelvis goes up and going down when the
pelvis goes down.
The driving force is from the pelvis while the shoulder simply steers.
The spines differ in rate of flexibility depending on the animal.

THERMAL PHYSIOLOGY IN ANIMALS

Dessert animals Example: Camel
Adaptations for survival
Thick fur on the top of the body and thin fur everywhere else.
Large surface area to volume ratio
Fat store in hump
Concentration of urine by kidney
Two sets of eyelashes and slit nose.
Arctic Animal Example: Polar bear
Adaptations for survival
Female go through denning
Male undergo walking hibernation
 Nitric oxide production by DNA.
Small ears
Thick layer of blubber
Large surface area to volume ratio
Fur on the sole of the feet
Thick skin animal Example: Elephant
Adaptations for survival
Large ears flapped time to time to keep cool.
Large surface area to volume ratio.
Trunk to store water sprinkled time to time on body to keep cool.
Blood vessels in the ears.