Reptile Characteristics & Poikilothermy — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2018The class name refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion (Latin, repere or reptum, to creep or crawl). They are mostly terrestrial animals and their body is covered by dry and cornified skin, epidermal scales or scutes. They do not have external ear openings. Tympanum represents ear. Limbs, when present, are two pairs. Heart is usually three-chambered, but four-chambered in crocodiles. Reptiles are poikilotherms. Snakes and lizards shed their scales as skin cast. Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is internal. They are oviparous and development is direct.
NTA focuses on identifying reptile features, especially that reptiles are poikilotherms (cold-blooded animals with variable body temperature). Students often confuse poikilotherms with homeotherms or ectotherms/endotherms terminology. Remember: reptiles are ectothermic poikilotherms—they regulate body temperature through environmental means, not internal metabolic control. Key NEET trap: questions may ask whether reptiles maintain constant body temperature (they don't) or show external ear openings (they lack external openings; only tympanum). Quick recall: three-chambered heart in most reptiles but four in crocodiles, dry cornified skin with scales, internal fertilization, and direct development distinguish the entire class.
Which one of these animals is not a homeotherm? NEET Year: NEET 2018
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