Biology: Vertebrates and Invertebrates Worksheet

Question 1

What is the main difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate?

Accepted Answer

A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone. An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone.

Question 2

Classify each animal as a vertebrate or invertebrate: frog, butterfly, salmon, jellyfish, dog.

Accepted Answer

The frog, salmon, and dog are vertebrates because they have backbones. The butterfly and jellyfish are invertebrates because they do not have backbones.

Question 3

A scientist finds an animal with feathers, a beak, wings, and a backbone. Is this animal a vertebrate or an invertebrate? Explain.

Accepted Answer

This animal is a vertebrate because it has a backbone. Its feathers, beak, and wings also show that it is most likely a bird.

Question 4

Name the five main groups of vertebrates.

Accepted Answer

The five main groups of vertebrates are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Question 5

A crab has a hard outer shell, jointed legs, and no backbone. Is it a vertebrate or an invertebrate? What animal group does it belong to?

Accepted Answer

A crab is an invertebrate because it has no backbone. It belongs to a group of animals called arthropods.

Question 6

Sort these animals into two groups: snake, earthworm, owl, octopus, horse, ant.

Accepted Answer

The vertebrates are snake, owl, and horse because they have backbones. The invertebrates are earthworm, octopus, and ant because they do not have backbones.

Question 7

A dolphin lives in the ocean and has fins, but it breathes air and feeds milk to its young. Is a dolphin a fish or a mammal? Explain.

Accepted Answer

A dolphin is a mammal. It breathes air, feeds milk to its young, and has a backbone.

Question 8

Look at an insect body plan. What three body parts do most adult insects have?

Accepted Answer

Most adult insects have a head, thorax, and abdomen. They also usually have six legs.

Question 9

Explain why a worm is not classified as a vertebrate.

Accepted Answer

A worm is not a vertebrate because it does not have a backbone or spine inside its body.

Question 10

A turtle has dry scaly skin, lays eggs on land, and has a backbone. Which vertebrate group does it belong to?

Accepted Answer

A turtle belongs to the reptile group. Reptiles have backbones, and many have dry scaly skin and lay eggs on land.

Question 11

Choose the animal that does not belong in this vertebrate group: robin, eagle, penguin, spider. Explain your choice.

Accepted Answer

The spider does not belong because it is an invertebrate. The robin, eagle, and penguin are birds, and birds are vertebrates.

Question 12

Give two examples of invertebrates that live in water.

Accepted Answer

Two examples of invertebrates that live in water are jellyfish and shrimp. Other correct examples include crab, clam, sea star, and octopus.

Question 13

A salamander begins life in water, later lives on land and in wet places, has moist skin, and has a backbone. Which vertebrate group does it belong to?

Accepted Answer

A salamander belongs to the amphibian group. Amphibians have backbones, often have moist skin, and many begin life in water.

Question 14

Why can a sea star be confusing to classify, and why is it an invertebrate?

Accepted Answer

A sea star can be confusing because it has a firm body and lives like an animal many students recognize. It is an invertebrate because it does not have a backbone.

Question 15

Create a classification rule that would help a younger student decide if an unknown animal is a vertebrate or an invertebrate.

Accepted Answer

A good rule is to ask whether the animal has a backbone. If it has a backbone, it is a vertebrate. If it does not have a backbone, it is an invertebrate.

Biology: Vertebrates and Invertebrates

More Biology Worksheets

More Grade 4-5 Worksheets