Section 1
Animal Form and Function
Book
Version 32
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Biology
Biology
by Boundless
6 concepts
Characteristics of the Animal Body
Every animal has a distinct body plan, adapted in response to environmental pressures, that limits its size and shape.
Body Plans
Animal body plans can have varying degrees of symmetry and can be described as asymmetrical, bilateral, or radial.
Limits on Animal Size and Shape
Animal shape and body size are influenced by environmental factors as well as the presence of an exoskeleton or an endoskeleton.
Limiting Effects of Diffusion on Size and Development
Less efficient diffusion in larger cells led to multicellular organisms with specialized tissues that supply nutrients and remove waste.
Animal Bioenergetics
An animal's body size, activity level, and environment impacts the ways it uses and obtains energy.
Animal Body Planes and Cavities
Vertebrates can be divided along different planes in order to reference the locations of defined cavities.