phylum Chordata

what are four common characteristics of chordates?

1\. Dorsal hollow nerve cord 2. Notochord 3. Gill Slits 4. Post-anal Tail

Chordata have what type of symmetry?

bilateral symmetry

majority of Chordata are…

vertebrates

what are vertebrates?

animals with a backbone

what are some examples of vertebrate Chordata?

fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds

animals with a vertebrate belong to which subphylum?

subphylum Vertebrata

what are the subphyla of Chordata?

vertebrate, tunicate, lancelet, and cephalochordate

what is the still dorsal rod that supports the bodies of Chordata?

the notochord

Chordata have a tail that extends…

beyond the anus(post-anal tail)

what are the seven classes of Chordata?

Cyclostomata, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia

what are tunicates?

a subphylum of Chordata that consists of marine invertebrate animals

how do tunicates survive?

adult tunicates are sessile, so they get their nutrients through filter feeding. they reproduce asexually by budding or sexually because they are hermaphrodites

how many species of Cephalochordates are there?

23 species: the lancelet animal

Cephalochordates are unique because…

they do not have vertebrates

how many subphyla of Chordata are there?

3; Craniata, Tunicata, Cephalochordata

how many classes of Chordata are there?

5 classes

what are the five classes of Chordata?

fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds

what is the purpose of the notochord?

it supports and protects the nerve cord

what is the notochord?

a rigid structure that is in front of the nerve cord that appears in embryonic development

what are advantages of having an endoskeleton?

they are more flexible which allows for easier growth, less energy expenditure, can support greater weight

what is an endoskeleton?

an internal support system found in animals that are made of mineralized tissue