Chordate and Vertebrate Overview

Flashcards about Chordata, Vertebrata, Fish, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia

What are the key characteristics of Chordates?

All have pharyngeal gill slits at some stage of development, a notochord at some stage of development, and a dorsal tubular nerve cord

What are the four subphyla within Chordata?

Hemichordata, tunicate, cephalochordate, vertebrata

What are the three classes of fish within Vertebrata?

Agnatha, Osteichthyes, Chondrichthyes

What class are mammals in?

Mammalia

What are the characteristics of Class Agnatha?

Jawless fish that are parasitic with toothed mouths and suckers to take fluid from other animals

What is the body plan of Agnatha?

Cartilaginous rod replaces notochord, 7 pairs of gills, reduced dorsal and caudal fins, and lack specialization for nervous system and sensory organs.

What are the characteristics of Class Chondrichthyes?

Cartilaginous fish, dorso-ventrally flattened, strong pectoral fins, dorsal and caudal fins for stability, 5 or 6 gill openings, and placoid scales

What is the function of the spiral valve in Chondrichthyes?

Spiral arrangement of intestines to quickly secrete enzymes and absorb nutrients in sharks.

What adaptations are present in Chondrichthyes for predation?

Olfaction and countershading (dorsal side is more pigmented than ventral

What are the key aspects of Chondrichthyes reproduction?

No nutritional assistance from mother, claspers to hold a female while depositing sperm, females carry fertilized eggs while they develop into baby sharks, and deliver live young sharks

What are the characteristics of Osteichthyes?

Bony fish with more bones like ribs, cycloid or ctenoid scales (sometimes pigmented), and high nervous system but poor eyesight.

What specialized systems do Osteichthyes have?

Pressure sensitive receptors to detect movement in the water, swim bladder to hold gases for buoyancy, and operculum to protect four pairs of gills

What is a similarity between hagfish and lamprey?

They do not have jaws

What is the lateral line system responsible for?

Detecting vibrations

Why do sharks sink when not swimming?

They have no swim bladder

What are the characteristics of an amphibian?

Vertebrate, leads a double life, moist skin, and metamorphosis

What adaptations do amphibians possess related to their dual environments?

Utilizing both lungs and their skin for respiration, moisture-regulating glands to keep skin moist, well-developed eyes and sensory organs

What are the three surviving groups of amphibians?

Salamanders, frogs, and caecilians

What evolutionary changes occurred as amphibians adapted to land?

Bones became stronger, lungs to breath air, limbs to walk on land

What are the feeding habits of amphibian larvae and adults?

Larva (tadpoles) are usually herbivores; adults are usually carnivores

Describe the circulatory system of amphibians.

Double loop, with 3 chambers and a ventricle that is partly divided

What is the function of the cloaca in amphibians?

Sperm, egg, solid wastes, and urine leave the body through this opening

What is metamorphosis?

Series of changes that occur as an organism grows

What are the orders of Class Reptilia?

Crocodilia, Squamata, Chelonia, and Sphenodontia

What are the general characteristics of Reptilia?

Scale covered and waterproof, larger skeletal systems, and claws

What is an ectotherm?

Body temperature is the same as environment

Describe the respiratory system of reptiles.

Lungs and muscles for breathing, palate separates nasal and oral cavities

Describe the circulation in reptiles.

Some have septum to divide ventricles = 4 chamber heart; some have 3 chamber heart

What is a key aspect of reptile reproduction?

Lay a shelled egg – amniotic egg

How do reptiles manage excretion and minimize water loss?

Kidneys help reabsorb water and scaly skin reduces water loss

How are orders of mammals classified?

Orders of mammals classified by shape of uterus or based on teeth and feet.

What is Archaeopteryx?

Evolutionary descendants from same animals that gave rise to bipedal reptiles and resembled reptiles from long ago

What are the different types of bird feathers?

Outgrowth of skin, contour, flight, down, and filoplumes

Describe the Key traits of the nervous system of Class Aves?

Cerebellum for balance and coordination, optic lobes for vision

What adaptations are seen in avian skeletal systems?

High bone fusion in vertebrae, pelvic girdle, more muscles

What adaptations are seen in avian respiratory systems?

Air sacs to create a more efficient system

Describe the key adaptations in the digestive system of birds.

Don’t chew food, crop, gizzard, and regurgitate to feed baby birds

What are the characteristics of mammals?

Embryos develop internally, hair, mammary glands

What are the subclasses of mammals based on reproduction?

Protheria, Metatheria, and Eutheria

What defines Artiodactyla?

Even number of digits on hooves and complex stomach

What defines Carnivora?

Elongated canine teeth and claws

What defines Lagomorpha?

4 continuous growing upper incisors

What defines Perissodactyla?

Odd number of digits on hooves and well developed molars

What defines Primatae?

Flat nails instead of claws and anterior facing eyes

What defines Proboscidea?

Obvious elongated snout and incisor teeth like tusks

What defines Rodentia?

Continuously growing paired incisors

What are the key features of mammalian cerebrum?

Sensory input is interpreted, advanced at learning

What kind of teeth do Herbivores have?

Incisors and molars for cutting and grinding plants

What kind of teeth do Carnivores have?

Canine teeth to tear meat – gulp down soft chunks without chewing

What kind of teeth do Omnivores have?

Have all types for all kinds of chewing, biting, grinding