Question

Amphibians do not have the following :

• A. three chambered heart
• B. gills or lungs
• C. scales
• D. mucus glands

Hint:

Amphibians are known for their smooth, moist skin.
They generally {LACK scales} (unlike reptiles or fish).
They {HAVE} mucus glands to keep skin moist.
They {HAVE} a three-chambered heart (most adults).
They {HAVE} gills (as larvae) and/or lungs (as adults) for breathing. The most prominent feature from the list that they generally "do not have" is scales.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Amphibians (Class Amphibia) are a class of cold-blooded vertebrates that include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians. They have distinct characteristics. The question asks what they {do not} typically have. Step 1: General Characteristics of Amphibians
Skin: Moist, permeable skin that lacks scales (with very few exceptions like some caecilians having dermal scales, but generally, scales are absent). Their skin often contains mucus glands to keep it moist, and sometimes poison glands. Cutaneous respiration (breathing through the skin) is common.
Respiration: Larval amphibians (like tadpoles) typically breathe through gills. Adult amphibians usually breathe through lungs and also through their skin.
Heart: Most adult amphibians have a three-chambered heart (two atria and one ventricle). This leads to some mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Life Cycle: Typically undergo metamorphosis from an aquatic larval stage to a terrestrial or semi-aquatic adult stage.
Reproduction: Most lay eggs in water, which lack a protective shell. Step 2: Analyzing the options
(1) three chambered heart: Most adult amphibians do have a three-chambered heart.
(2) gills or lungs: Amphibians do have gills (in larval stage, and some aquatic adults) or lungs (in most adults). They also use cutaneous respiration.
(3) scales: The vast majority of amphibians do not have scales on their skin. Their skin is typically smooth and moist. This is a distinguishing feature compared to reptiles (which have scales) and fish (which often have scales).
(4) mucus glands: Amphibians do have mucus glands in their skin, which help keep it moist for cutaneous respiration and protection. The image indicates this option was circled, but amphibians do possess mucus glands. Step 3: Identifying what amphibians generally do not have Based on general characteristics, amphibians typically do not have scales. While there are rare exceptions (some caecilians have dermal scales), the absence of scales is a defining trait for the class as a whole when compared to reptiles or fish. They do have three-chambered hearts (most adults), gills/lungs for respiration, and mucus glands.