Internal structure of mammals. Structure and function of the internal organs of a mammal

As among the plants there is the most adapted dominant group - the Angiosperms, and among the animals there are organisms that differ in their higher specialization in the structure of external and internal organs. They are mammals. In this article, we will consider the features of their structure, development, reproduction and classification.

Class mammals: general characteristic

The characteristics of mammals include the designation of all their features, which they possess. First, they are the most highly adapted animals that have managed to settle all over the planet. They are found everywhere: in the equatorial bands, steppes, deserts and even in the waters of Antarctica.

Such a wide settlement on the planet is explained by the fact that the internal structure of mammals has its advantages and features, which will be considered later. Their appearance also did not remain unchanged. A lot of adaptive modifications undergo almost all parts of the body when it comes to any particular representative.

In addition, the behavior of this class of animals is also the most highly organized and complex. This is indicated by the fact that one of the orders of mammals is considered to be the Intelligent Man.

The higher development of the brain allowed people to rise above all other beings. Today, mammals play a huge role in human life. They are for him:

• Power supply;
• Draft power;
• Pets;
• Source of laboratory material;
• Agricultural workers.

Characteristics of mammals are given according to numerous studies of different sciences. But the main one is called theriology ("therios" is the beast).

Classification of mammals

There are various options for combining different species into groups. But the diversity of representatives is too great to be able to dwell on some single option. Therefore, any classification can be supplemented, corrected and replaced with another.

To date, there are about 5.5 thousand species of mammals, of which 380 species live on the territory of our country. All this diversity is united in 27 orders. Mammalian groups are as follows:

• Single-pass;
• Possums;
• Crooked;
• Microbiota;
• Marsupials;
• Bandicoots;
• Double-edged;
• Jumper;
• The zlatotrotic;
• Pipe-toothed teeth;
• Damans;
• Proboscis;
• Sirens;
• Anteaters;
• Armadillo;
• Lagiformes;
• Rodents;
• Tupayi;
• Woolly-wings;
• monkey;
• Insectivorous;
• Bats;
• Odd-toed ungulates;
• Artiodactyl;
• Cetaceans;
• Predatory;
• Pangolins.

All this diversity of animals inhabits all environments of life, it spreads in all territories, irrespective of climate. Also, extinct organisms are not included here, since together with them the number of mammals is about 20 thousand species.

External structure of mammals

As already mentioned, in addition to the high organization inside, mammals also have distinctive features from the outside. There are several basic signs.

1. Presence of obligatory smooth or rough wool cover (in case of human hair).
2. The formation of the epidermis, performing a protective function - horns, hoofs, claws, hair, eyelashes, eyebrows.
3. The presence of cutaneous glands: sebaceous and sweaty.
4. Seven vertebrae in the cervical spine.
5. Testes in the shape of an oval.
6. Live birth as a way of reproducing offspring, and then taking care of it.
7. The presence of mammary glands for feeding young, which explains the name of the class.
8. Constant body temperature or homeothermia - warm blood.
9. Presence of diaphragm.
10. Differentiated teeth of different structure and types.

Thus, the external structure of mammals clearly has its own characteristics. By their totality it is possible to identify the place of the individual in the system of the organic world. However, as always, there are exceptions. For example, the rodent of the excavator does not have a constant body temperature and refers to the cold-blooded. A duckbill is incapable of live birth, although they are first-timers.

Skeleton and its features

The structure of the skeleton of mammals can be rightly considered their distinctive feature. After all, only they have it clearly divided into five main divisions:

• skull;
• rib cage;
• spine;
• Belt of lower and upper extremities;
• Extremities.

Moreover, the vertebral column also has its own peculiarities. It includes:

• cervical;
• Thoracic;
• lumbar;
• Sacral departments.

The skull is much larger in size than all other representatives of the animal world. This indicates a higher organization of brain activity, intelligence, behavior and emotions. The lower jaw is attached to the skull movably, in addition, there is one cheekbone in the face structure.

The structure of the mammalian skeleton is especially so because the spine consists of the placetal (that is, flat) vertebrae. Such a phenomenon is no longer present in any fauna representative. In addition, the spinal cord is located inside the pillar by straight strand, and its gray matter has the form of a "butterfly".

The extremities, or rather, their skeleton, are not the same in terms of the number of fingers, the length of the bone, and other parameters. This is due to the adaptation to a certain way of life. Therefore, such details of the skeleton should be studied for each particular representative.

Structure and function of the internal organs of the mammal

What is inside the animal organism and what constitutes its essence is the most important part of the whole individual. It is the internal structure of mammals that allows them to occupy a dominant position on land and at sea. All these features are in the structure and functioning of each organ, and then, and in the whole whole organism.

In general, nothing exceptional in their structure is observed. General principles are preserved. Just some of the bodies reached their maximum development, which left a general imprint on the perfection of the class.

The most voluminous topic for study is the structure of mammals. The table is therefore the best option to reflect the overall systemic organization of the internal arrangement of animals of this class. It can reflect the composition of the bodies, the main systems and the functions they perform.

Circulatory System

Features of the structure of mammals are the presence of a four-chambered heart. This is due to the formation of a complete septum. It is this fact that is at the head of the fact that these animals are warm-blooded, have a constant body temperature and homeostasis of the internal environment of the organism as a whole.

Nervous system

The head and spinal cord, their structure and functioning are the features of the structure of mammals. After all, no animal is capable of experiencing as many emotions as they are. Nature has endowed them with the ability to think, remember, think, make decisions, respond quickly and correctly to danger.

If we talk about a person, then it is difficult to convey the whole volume of the superiority of the mind. Animals have instincts, intuition, which help them to live. All this is controlled by the brain, together with other systems.

Digestive system

The internal structure of mammals allows them not only to adapt to the conditions of life, but also to choose their own food. So, ruminants have a special structure of the stomach, which allows them to process the grass almost continuously.

The structure of the dental apparatus also varies greatly depending on the type of food. The herbivores are dominated by the incisors, while the carnivores have pronounced fangs. All these features of the digestive system. In addition, each species produces its own set of digestive enzymes to facilitate and efficiently assimilate food.

Selection system

The internal organs of mammals that take part in the excretion of liquid metabolic products are arranged according to a single principle. The kidneys process a huge volume of fluid and form a filtrate - urine. It is excreted through the ureters into the bladder, which when emptied is emptied into the environment.

Endocrine system

All the internal structure of mammals is one and consistent in their work. However, there are two systems that are coordinators and regulators for all others. It:

• Nervous;
• Endocrine.

If the first does this by means of nerve impulses and irritations, then the second is using hormones. These chemicals are very powerful. Almost all the processes of growth, development, maturation, development of emotions, the allocation of gland products, exchange mechanisms - this is the result of the work of this particular system. It includes such important bodies as:

• Adrenal glands;
• thyroid;
• Thymus gland ;
• pituitary;
• Hypothalamus and others.

Sense organs

Reproduction and development of mammals, their orientation in the surrounding world, adaptive reactions - all this would be impossible without sense organs. Which analyzers make them, we already indicated in the table. I want only to emphasize the importance and high level of development of each of them.

The organs of vision are developed very well, although not as sharply as in birds. Hearing is a very important analyzer. For predators and their victims, this is the basis and guarantee of a successful life. The victim can hear the lion's roar, being a few kilometers away from him.

The vestibular apparatus helps to quickly change the position of the body, move and feel comfortable with any rotation of the body. The sense of smell also serves as a pledge of a full day. After all, most of the predators feel their victims by smell.

Reproduction and features of development of mammals

Reproduction and development of mammals occurs according to all generally accepted principles. Female and males have copulatory organs for mating and fertilization. After this, the female bears a baby and reproduces it into the light. However, the difference between mammals and all other, less highly organized individuals begins further. They care about their offspring, introducing them into an adult and independent life.

The number of young is not so great, therefore each of them receives care, affection and love from parents. Man, as the top of development in the animal kingdom, also demonstrates a high degree of maternal instinct.