Sea Turtle Biology and Physiology

Maia McGuire, an educator with Florida Sea Grant, introduces a chapter from her book on sea turtles. The chapter covers the evolution of sea turtles, highlighting the ancient Archelon. It discusses the anatomy and adaptations of sea turtles, including their flippers, shells, and unique features like tear ducts and internal skeletons. The transcript also explains the digestive, respiratory, and sensory systems of sea turtles, emphasizing their ability to navigate and regulate body temperature. The chapter concludes with an invitation to explore more chapters on the Florida Sea Grant YouTube channel.

Who is the educator presenting the chapter on sea turtles?

• Robert Brown

• Maia McGuire

• Jane Smith

• John Doe

What is the name of the ancient sea turtle that lived about 80 million years ago?

• Caretta

• Dermochelys

• Archelon

• Chelonia

How do sea turtles primarily use their front limbs?

• For walking on land

• As wings for flying

• As paddle-like flippers for swimming

• For digging burrows

What is the purpose of sea turtles' tear ducts?

• To express emotions

• To remove excess salt

• To help them see underwater

• To protect their eyes from sand

What material are the scutes of a sea turtle's shell made from?

• Keratin

• Chitin

• Calcium

• Collagen

What color does sea turtle skin turn in sunlight?

• Blue

• Green

• Darker

• Lighter

What are the finger-like spikes in a sea turtle's esophagus called?

• Villi

• Spicules

• Papillae

• Cilia

How do sea turtles breathe when they come to the surface?

• Through their skin

• Through their gills

• Through their flippers

• Through their nostrils and mouth

What sense do sea turtles use to help them find their nesting beaches?

• Hearing

• Smell

• Taste

• Touch

How do sea turtles regulate their body temperature?

• By changing their skin color

• By migrating to warmer waters

• By controlling blood flow to their flippers

• By basking in the sun