KEY CONCEPT Animals are diverse but share common characteristics.

1
KEY CONCEPT Animals are diverse but share common
characteristics.
2
Animals are the most physically diverse kingdom
of organisms.

• Animals range in size from 25-meter-long blue
  whales to microscopic rotifers.
• Animals are found nearly everywhere on Earth.

3
All animals share a set of characteristics.

• All animals share a unique set of
  derivedcharacters.
• Animal cells aresupported by collagen.
• three-strandedprotein
• found in bone,skin, ligaments,fingernails,and
  hair

4

• Animals are diploid and usually reproduce
  sexually.

• diploid parents produce diploid offspring

• do not have free-living haploid life stages

5

• Most animals have Hox genes.

• Homeotic genes control early development.
• Hox genes determine the position of cells
  differentiation.
• A Hox gene mutation leads to the development of a
  body structure in the wrong position.