Laboratory 10 Animal Diversity II Vertebrates

Flashcards for review of key terms and concepts from Laboratory 10 on animal diversity, particularly vertebrates.

Chordata

Phylum that includes all vertebrates and some invertebrates characterized by a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits, and a postanal tail.

Notochord

A flexible gelatinous rod that provides structural support and extends along the length of the body of chordates.

Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord

A tubular structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord in vertebrates.

Pharyngeal Gill Slits

Structures in chordates that can develop into gill arches in fish and parts of the ear and jaw in land vertebrates.

Postanal Tail

A muscular structure extending behind the anus, used for locomotion or balance.

Agnatha

Superclass of jawless fishes, including lampreys and hagfish.

Chondrichthyes

Class of cartilaginous fish, such as sharks and rays, known for their jaws and paired fins.

Osteichthyes

Class of bony fish characterized by a bony skeleton and jaws.

Amphibia

Class of amphibians that undergo metamorphosis and typically have moist skin for gas exchange.

Reptilia

Class of reptiles that are mostly terrestrial, have scaly skin, and lay amniotic eggs.

Aves

Class of birds that are characterized by feathers, beaks, and the ability to fly.

Mammalia

Class of mammals that nourish their young with milk from mammary glands and are characterized by hair.

Cephalochordata

Subphylum of lancelets that possess all four chordate characteristics throughout their life.

Urochordata

Subphylum of tunicates, characterized by a sac-like body and filter-feeding mechanisms as larvae.

Internal Fertilization

A reproductive strategy in which fertilization takes place inside the female's body.

External Fertilization

A reproductive strategy where fertilization occurs outside the female's body, typically in a watery environment.

Amniotic Egg

An egg with a protective shell that allows for reproduction on land by preventing desiccation.

Ectothermic

Organisms that rely on external sources of body heat.

Endothermic

Organisms that can maintain a constant internal body temperature through metabolic processes.