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15
What is the importance of pneumatic bones and air sacs in Aves?
Explanation
Birds possess light weight bones that contain internal spaces filled with air. These are called pneumatic bones. They help in, reducing their body weight, thus is an adaptation for flight. Aerodynamic lungs with specialised air sacs provides an additional feature and gives adaptability to birds to fly (e.g., bald eagle, pigeon).
16
What is metagenesis? Mention an example which exhibits this phenomenon.
Explanation
Metagenesis is the phenomenon in which one generation of certain plants and animals reproduce asexually, followed by the sexually reproducing generation. Both the forms are diploid in metagenesis hence, it is the false alternation of generation. Coelenterates exhibits metagenesis (e.g., Obelia) where polyp form alternates with medusa in its life cycle.
17
What is the role of feathers?
Explanation

Feathers are the epidermal growth that forms distinctive outer covering or plumage in birds.

Feathers play a variety of roles like

(i) They help in creating airfoil shape for wings so, as to provide lift and help in flight.

(ii) Feathers helps in maintaining body temperature.

(iii) Feathers play a vital role in mating by providing secondary sex characters in both the sexes the colour and markings determine the attractiveness of mate.

18
Which group of chordates possess sucking and circular mouth without jaws?
Explanation
Class-Cyclostomata is comprised of, the living jawless fishes. Their mouth is circular and lack jaws, hence they are also called agnathans. It works like a sucker and is surrounded by tentacles (e.g., lampreys and haglish). These also prosses rectroctable horny teeth.
19
Give one example each for an animal possessing placoid scales and that with cycloid scales.
Explanation

Fishes possess dermal scales, each scale made of dentine that is secreted by dermal papilla. Placoid scales are hard and microscopic in size, their body is made up of dentine and exposed surface is covered with enamel, Cycloid scales are strong and extremely flexible.

They are large, oval and made up of isopectine (layer of collagenous fibre). Placoid Scales are the characteristic features of cartilaginous fishes. (e.g., Scoliodon). Whereas, cycloid scale are found in bony fishes (e.g., Catla catla).