Vertebrate Anatomy and Chordate Characteristics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to vertebrate anatomy and chordate characteristics.

Swim Bladder

An organ in fish that is homologous to lungs in other animals, aiding in buoyancy.

Lateral Line

A sensory organ in fish that helps in detecting movements and vibrations in the water.

Chondrichthyes

A class of cartilaginous fish, including sharks and rays, that have evolved various adaptations for marine life.

Ampullae of Lorenzini

Sensory structures in sharks that detect electrical fields produced by other organisms.

Agnathans

Jawless vertebrates, such as lampreys, which possess traits like pharyngeal slits and a dorsal hollow nerve cord.

Notochord

A flexible rod-like structure found in all chordates, providing support during development.

Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord

A defining characteristic of chordates, which develops into the central nervous system.

Pharyngeal Slits

Structures found in chordate embryos that can develop into gills in aquatic species.

Post-anal Tail

An extension of the body past the anus, a characteristic feature of chordates.

Cephalochordata

Subphylum containing lancelets, which display all chordate characteristics throughout their life.

Urochordata

Subphylum of chordates that includes tunicates, which possess a notochord only in larval stages.

Echinoderms

A group of marine animals characterized by a hard skeleton and water vascular system, like starfish.

Buoyancy

The ability of an organism to float or remain suspended in water, facilitated by swim bladders or fats.

Dioecious

Referring to species that have distinct male and female individuals.

Myomeres

Segmented muscle blocks in chordates, which help in movement.