Whale Anatomy Worksheet
Explore the unique anatomical features of whales, including adaptations for aquatic life, respiratory systems, and skeletal structures.
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Whale Anatomy Deep Dive
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Read each question carefully and provide your best answer based on your knowledge of whale anatomy and adaptations.
1. Which of the following is a primary adaptation that allows whales to dive to great depths?
Presence of gills
Collapsible lungs and rib cages
A highly developed sense of smell
External ear flaps
2. Baleen plates in whales are primarily used for:
Grinding tough prey
Echolocation
Filtering small organisms from water
Attracting mates
1. Whales are marine mammals that belong to the order .
2. The thick layer of fat beneath a whale's skin, called , helps with insulation and buoyancy.
1. All whales possess teeth for hunting prey.
True
False
2. Whales breathe through blowholes located on the top of their heads.
True
False
1. Describe two key anatomical differences between baleen whales and toothed whales.
2. Explain how a whale's circulatory system is adapted to withstand extreme pressure changes during deep dives.
Match each anatomical feature with its primary function.
1. Flukes
a. Sound production and reception
2. Spermaceti organ
b. Propulsion
3. Tympanic bulla
c. Hearing protection