Deuterostomes Lecture Notes

This collection of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on deuterostomes, particularly focusing on echinoderms and chordates, as well as the evolution of vertebrates.

Echinoderms

A phylum of marine animals characterized by an endoskeleton and pentaradial symmetry, including sea stars and sea urchins.

Pentaradial Symmetry

A body structure that can be divided into five equal parts, typical in adult echinoderms.

Water-Vascular System

A network of water-filled canals in echinoderms that aids in movement, feeding, and gas exchange.

Gonochoric Reproduction

A reproductive strategy where individuals are either male or female, with gametes released into the water.

Lancelets

Scaleless chordates belonging to the subphylum Cephalochordata, with a persistent notochord throughout life.

Amniotic Eggs

Eggs produced by reptiles, birds, and mammals that are watertight and allow for reproduction away from water.

Endothermic

Describes animals, like mammals and birds, that can control their body temperature through internal means.

Biological Adaptation

A trait that enhances survival and reproduction in a given environment, such as legs for walking in amphibians.

Opposable Thumb

A characteristic of primates that allows grasping and manipulation of objects.

Marsupials

A group of mammals that typically give birth to undeveloped young which continue to develop in a pouch.

Hominids

A family of primates that includes humans and our extinct relatives, characterized by larger brains and bipedalism.