Which term refers to a vertebrate that lives in water and has fins?

Which term refers to a vertebrate that lives in water and has fins?

• A. Amphibians
• B. Ectothermic
• C. Fish
• D. Birds

Answer: (C)

Understanding how vertebrates are grouped by habitat and body features helps identify the right term. A vertebrate that lives in water and has fins is a fish. Fins act as the paddles and rudders that let fish swim efficiently, and gills extract oxygen from water, all while the backbone confirms they’re vertebrates. This combination of aquatic lifestyle with fins distinguishes fish from other groups. Amphibians are tied to both water and land and typically use limbs rather than fins. Ectothermic describes how an animal regulates its body temperature rather than its classification. Birds are warm-blooded, feathered vertebrates that do not have fins. So the term that best fits is fish.

Understanding how vertebrates are grouped by habitat and body features helps identify the right term. A vertebrate that lives in water and has fins is a fish. Fins act as the paddles and rudders that let fish swim efficiently, and gills extract oxygen from water, all while the backbone confirms they’re vertebrates. This combination of aquatic lifestyle with fins distinguishes fish from other groups. Amphibians are tied to both water and land and typically use limbs rather than fins. Ectothermic describes how an animal regulates its body temperature rather than its classification. Birds are warm-blooded, feathered vertebrates that do not have fins. So the term that best fits is fish.