Vertebrate Classes

Flashcards covering the classes and characteristics of subphylum vertebrata

Class Chondrichthyes

Includes cartilaginous fish like the Hammerhead Shark.

Class Osteichthyes

Includes bony fish like the Kelp Bass.

Class Amphibia

Includes amphibians like the Tree Frog.

Class Reptilia

Includes reptiles like the Day Gecko.

Class Aves

Includes birds like the Broadbill.

Class Mammalia

Includes mammals like the Caracal.

Endotherm

An organism that can maintain a constant body temperature; warm-blooded.

Ectotherm

An organism that cannot maintain a constant body temperature; cold-blooded.

Class Agnatha

A class of fish including jawless fish.

Class Chondrichthyes

A class of fish including cartilaginous fish.

Class Osteichthyes

A class of fish including bony fish.

Streamlined Body Shape (Fish)

Allows fish to move rapidly in water.

Countershading (Fish)

Dorsal surface is darker than the ventral surface.

Fish Fins

Membranous, wing-like, or paddle-like organs used for propulsion, steering, or balancing.

Swim Bladder (Bony Fish)

Stores gases to aid in buoyancy.

Liver (Cartilaginous Fish)

Stores lipids to aid in buoyancy.

Two-Chambered Heart (Fish)

Heart structure with single-loop blood circulation.

Internal Gills (Fish)

Organs for gas exchange in fish.

Hypoosmotic Regulators

Marine bony fishes that has tissues less salty than the surrounding water.

Hyperosmotic Regulators

Freshwater fish that has tissues that are saltier then their surrounding environment.

Chemoreception (Fish)

The ability to detect chemicals in the environment.

Nares (Fish)

Nostrils used to detect chemicals.

Lateral Line System

A system of canals in the skin that allow fish to sense vibrations in the water.

Neuromasts

Receptor organs that are highly sensitive to vibration and water currents.

Ampullae of Lorenzini

Organs in cartilaginous fish that detect bioelectric fields.

Ectotherm (Agnatha)

An organism that relies on external heat sources from its environment to regular core body temperature.

Ectotherm (Osteichthyes)

An organism that relies on external heat sources from its environment to regular core body temperature.

Endoskeleton of cartilage

The skeleton structure of Chondrichthyes

Scaleless and soft skin

The skin of an Agnatha (Lamprey)

Ectotherm (Amphibia)

An organism that relies on external heat sources from its environment to regular core body temperature.

Metamorphosis

Egg-larva-adult life cycle

NO claws or scales

Characteristic of Amphibians which have smooth, moist skin

Scales or scutes

characteristic of Reptiles

Ectothermic

characteristic of cold-blooded Reptiles, which means they cannot control their own body temperature

Warm-blooded (endotherm)

Birds are vertebrates that are known for their adaptation to a life of powered flight.

Pneumatized bones

Unique bony skeleton that many birds have.

Endothermic

characteristic of birds that can maintain a constant and elevated body temperature.

Uric acid

Birds excrete this, which decreases the amount of water & no bladder needed (keeps bird light).

Alveoli

Air sacs that make the bird more buoyant and allow for more efficient gas exchange (oxygen & carbon dioxide).

Four chamber heart

Heart Structure that mammals have.

Mammary glands

characteristic of Mammalia

Endotherm

An organism that can maintain a constant body temperature; warm-blooded.

Placental mammals

mammals that have a placenta = used for food, waste, and gas exchange

Marsupials

give birth to very immature young which crawl up into a pouch on the mother

Monotremes

mammals that are egg layers (reptilian), & they incubate their eggs outside of their body