How did eggs evolve to allow animals to better access the terrestrial (land) environment?
One of the greatest evolutionary innovations of the Carboniferous period (360 - 268 million years ago) was the amniotic egg, which allowed early reptiles to move away from waterside habitats and colonise dry regions.
The amniotic egg allowed the ancestors of birds, mammals, and reptiles to reproduce on land by preventing the embryo inside from drying out, so eggs could be laid away from the water.
Bird eggs are virtually self-contained life-support systems. All they require for the embryo to develop properly are warmth and oxygen. Oxygen diffuses into the egg through microscopic holes formed by the imperfect packing of the calcium carbonate crystals that compose the eggshell.
Carbon dioxide and water vapor diffuse outward through the same pores.
Adaptations for survival and well-being of the
eggs out of water include adjustments in
oxygen and carbon dioxide rates of diffu-
sion and exchange , sequestration of compounds that protect DNA
against damage by UV radiation, facultative changes in
developmental rates and metabolism during
embryonic development and utilization of an environmental trigger
for hatching.
Adaptations in the form of egg number, shape ,size thus oviparity played a key role in the successful attempt of animals towards the terrestrial environment.
How did eggs evolve to allow animals to better access the terrestrial (land) environment?
What key features characterised the first land plants, allowing them to survive in a terrestrial environment? In what order (first to last) did seeds, vascular tissue, stomata and carpels evolve in early land plants?
What key features help the terrestrial animals survive and reproduce on land? How?
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19. Compare the osmoregulatory challenges faced by animals that live in different environments (terrestrial, freshwater, and saltwater) and briefly explain how animals deal with the challenges posed in each environment. detail
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explain how the amniotic egg enabled animals to venture further on terrestrial habitats and away from water, also comment on the advantages involved that enabled for a faster growing enbryo within the amniotic egg. (Zoology)
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