Topic 26 - Introduction to Chordates

UofA Biol 108 Topic 26 *While this was made from personal notes, it has been run through the Quizlet AI, and has yet to be proof read by a human, be aware of this before you use this to study.

Chordates

Animals that belong to clade deuterostomia.

Characteristics of Chordates

Bilaterally symmetrical, coelomates, segmented bodies.

Majority of Chordates

Vertebrates because of the backbone.

What Chordates Include

All vertebrates and two unvertebrates - urochordates and cephalochordates.

Notochord

Flexible skeletal support.

Notochord Development

Develops from dorsal mesoderm.

Notochord Presence

Present in chordate embryos.

Dorsal

A hollow nerve cord.

Unique Feature of Chordates

Others animal phyla have ventrally located solid nerve cords.

Pharyngeal Slits or Clefts

Filter feeding for invertebrates and gas exchange in aquatic vertebrates (e.g., gills).

Muscular Post Anal Tail

Provides propulsion force for aquatic chordates and balance or grip for others.

Reduction of Tails

Reduced during embryonic development.

Chordate Segmentation

The vertebral column and muscle blocks.

Presence of Segmentation

Present in all adult chordates except urochordata.

Cephalochordata

Invertebrate chordates that include lancelets.

Urochordata

Invertebrate chordates that include tunicates.

Urochordata Feeding

Pharyngeal basket that collects food particles.