Functional Morphology

• The functional significance of the structure

• How it works in the organism 

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

=an integrative scientific discipline comprising of:

• Anatomy
• Functional Morphology
• Evolution

Anatomy

= the study of the structure of body parts and how they relate to each other

Evolution

= a process that generates variation in form and function

Function

(define)

= the action or property of a part as it works in an organism

Function

(example as it relates to feathers)

Feather FCT:

Cover the bird's body

Biological Role

(define)

=how the part is used in the environment during the course of the organism's life history

Biological Role

(Example as it relates to feathers)

• Insulation (thermoregulation)
• Aerodynamic contouring of body shape for flight
• Display during courtship

_________ gives insight into Function.

Structure

Biological Role

(Example 2: Relate to cheek muscles of mice)

• Food processing
• Defense 

Function

(Example2: As it relates to cheek muscles in mice.)

= to close the jaws

______ depends on structure.

Function

Example: Changing insertion points of muscles changes their function.

Evolutionary Adaptation

(define)

Evolutionary Adaptation

(example: Desert)

Example: Desert organisms have developed specialized features to conserve water.

= genetically controlled/evolved.

Physiological Adaptation

(define)

= a short term change used to adapt to the current environment/situation.

Physiological Adaptation

(Example: Desert)

Humans sweat in order to cool off (thru the process of evaporation).

= a short term solution, not genetically controlled/evolved

Archetypes:

(define and who was known for them?)

=generalized blueprints for a structure or feature

Owen

Why didn't Cuvier support the idea of evolution?

Believed that change in form led to loss of function

(death of the organism)

Homology

(define)

=2 or more features with a common ancestry

Homology

(Examples)

1. Bird's wings, moles arm's, bat wings, and  to a mole's arm = homo. forelimbs, being traced back to the common ancestor of a reptile.
2. Panda "thumbs" = homologous to our wrists.

Serial Homology

(define)

= Similarity between successively repeated parts in the same organism

Serial Homology

(Examples)

• Vertebrae
• Gill arches
• Successive muscle segments

Analogy

(define)

= features with a similar function WITHOUT common ancestry

Analogy

(Examples)

• Bat wings and bee wings
• Snake scales and fish scales 

Homoplasy

(define)

= Similarity through independent evolution

• Due to convergence, parallelism, or reversal