Deuterostome Animals

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions related to Deuterostome animals as presented in the lecture notes.

Deuterostome

A group of animals characterized by their embryonic development, where the anus develops before the mouth.

Echinodermata

Phylum of marine animals with spiny skin, including sea stars and sea urchins, exhibiting radial symmetry in adults and an endoskeleton made of calcium carbonate.

Hemichordates

A phylum of worm-like marine animals, characterized by a stomochord instead of a true notochord.

Chordata

Phylum that includes all animals with a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits, and muscular post-anal tail at some stage of development.

Vertebrate

Subphylum within Chordata characterized by the presence of a vertebral column and cranium.

Gnathostomes

Jawed vertebrates which include fishes and tetrapods, evolved jaws that improved their ability to capture prey.

Tetrapoda

A clade that includes all vertebrates with four limbs, encompassing amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Amniotic egg

A type of egg that has a protective membrane and allows for reproduction in a terrestrial environment, reducing desiccation.

Monotremes

Egg-laying mammals, such as the platypus and echidnas, which are characterized by lack of nipples.

Marsupials

A group of mammals, such as kangaroos and opossums, that give birth to underdeveloped young which typically continue developing in a pouch.

Eutherians

Also known as placental mammals, these are characterized by the presence of a complex placenta and longer gestation periods.

Adaptations for flight in birds

Includes features like feathers, a hollow bone structure, and high metabolic rate to support flight.

Neural crest cells

A temporary group of cells unique to vertebrates that contribute to the development of various structures, including jaws and nerves.

Hominins

A group of species that includes modern humans and our extinct relatives, characterized by traits such as bipedalism and tool use.

Australopiths

An extinct group of hominins that lived 4-2 million years ago, known for their bipedal locomotion and smaller brain sizes compared to modern humans.