Chordate Characteristics

What structure gives Chordata its name?

Notochord

What is the position of the notochord relative to the nervous system?

Ventral

What are the main jobs of the notochord?

Support and swimming muscle attachment

How many key chordate characters are there?

Five

What is the position and type of the chordate nerve cord?

Dorsal and hollow

What are the openings in the wall of the pharynx called?

Pharyngeal slits

What type of tail do chordates have?

Muscular and post-anal

What is the fifth chordate character besides notochord, nerve cord, slits, and tail?

Endostyle

Character that supports the body and anchors swimming muscles

Notochord

Character that forms the central nervous system

Dorsal hollow nerve cord

Character used to filter food and exchange gases

Pharyngeal slits

Character that provides propulsion for swimming

Postanal tail

Character that secretes mucus to trap food

Endostyle

Structure that the endostyle evolved into in vertebrates

Thyroid gland

Core of the notochord made of fluid-filled cells

Vacuolated cells

Fiber layer of the notochord sheath

Fibrous sheath

Stretchy layer of the notochord sheath

Elastic sheath

Type of skeleton that works by fluid pressure

Hydrostatic skeleton

Reason the notochord is a hydrostatic structure

Fluid-filled cells under pressure