MONDAY

Skeletons

Introduction

Different animals have different types of skeletons. Vertebrates are animals that have backbones and an endoskeleton (skeleton inside their bodies). In contrast, invertebrates are animals that do not have backbones. Invertebrates can have a skeleton outside their bodies called an exoskeleton, while some invertebrates have no skeleton at all! In fact, the majority of animals on Earth are invertebrates.

Vertebrates

Mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians are vertebrates with endoskeletons (skeletons inside their bodies). Their skeletons provide support and protection and help them to move.

Invertebrates with exoskeletons

Insects, spiders and shellfish are some of the invertebrates that have exoskeletons. The exoskeleton provides them with strength and support, as well as protecting the organs inside their bodies. To grow, animals with exoskeletons need to shed their old skeleton and grow a new one. Furthermore, animals with exoskeletons can only grow to be a certain size, because if the exoskeleton gets too large the animal’s muscles cannot move it. However animals with exoskeletons that live in the water can grow to bigger sizes, since the water buoys up the skeleton, so that it does not feel so heavy.

Invertebrates without skeletons

Invertebrates without skeletons include centipedes, millipedes, worms, jellyfish, octopuses and squids. Because these animals have no hard bones, they are extremely flexible.

Summary

Most of the large creatures that come to mind when we think of animals are vertebrates with endoskeletons. However there are actually more invertebrates on Earth than vertebrates. Some of these invertebrates have exoskeletons, whereas some of them have no skeletons at all!

Classify vertebrates and invertebrates

1) Draw the table below in your book

2) Cut out the animals and stick them in the correct column

3) Add some facts from the information sheet to each column

Vertebrates Invertebrates Invertebrates with endoskeletons with exoskeletons without a skeleton

Answers

Vertebrates Invertebrates Invertebrates with endoskeletons with exoskeletons without a skeleton

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This painting is the largest one Constable did. It shows the opening of Waterloo Bridge in London on 18th June 1817.

It was a huge occasion and there was a lot of celebration, not just because a new bridge had been built but because it was built to celebrate victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

Constable painted this because he knew it was an important historical occasion and he wanted to record it for future generations to see.

This is Waterloo Bridge today !!