Biology Chapter 1: Chordates
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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of the notochord in chordates?

  • To pump blood through the body
  • To provide support for the skeleton and muscles (correct)
  • To facilitate digestion in the digestive tract
  • To act as a dorsal nerve cord

    • What is a characteristic shared by all chordates and vertebrates?

  • A flexible rod along the dorsal side (correct)
  • A muscular tail
  • A backbone
  • A digestive tract

    • Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of vertebrates?

  • A dorsal nerve cord
  • Improved respiration
  • A notochord that persists throughout life (correct)
  • Paired, muscular appendages

    • What is the location of the dorsal nerve cord in chordates?

    <p>Dorsal to the notochord</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe animals that do not have a notochord or backbone?

    <p>Non-chordates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of pharyngeal gill slits in invertebrate chordates?

    <p>To trap food particles in the water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which stage of development are pharyngeal gill slits present in higher vertebrates?

    <p>Embryonic stage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of pharyngeal gill slits in fish?

    <p>To facilitate gas exchange for respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the muscular post-anal tail primarily composed of?

    <p>Muscular tissue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the spinal cord in vertebrates?

    <p>To serve as the main communications line of the nervous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Chordates

    • Chordates are organisms that possess a notochord, a rod that extends most of the body length, during some part of their development.
    • The notochord provides support and stiffens the body during locomotion.

    Characteristics of Chordates

    • A flexible rod (notochord) along the dorsal side to provide support for the skeleton and muscles.
    • A common internal body plan.
    • A dorsal nerve cord.
    • A digestive tract that extends from the mouth to anus.
    • A muscular tail that extends beyond the anus.
    • A heart that pumps blood through the body and to the gills (or lungs).

    Vertebrates

    • Vertebrates are subdivided into several classes: Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals.
    • Vertebrates show progressive evolutionary adaptations to life on land and a wider range of ecological niches, including:
      • Improved respiration.
      • Protective and insulating body coverings.
      • More efficient reproduction (especially on land).
      • Paired, muscular appendages.

    Basic Features of Chordates

    • Notochord: lies dorsal to the alimentary canal and ventral to the nerve cord.
    • Dorsal nerve cord: a fluid-filled tube of nerve tissue that runs the length of the animal, dorsal to the notochord.
    • Pharyngeal gill slits: paired lateral clefts leading from the pharynx to the exterior.
    • Muscular post-anal tail: extends backwards from behind the anus and is present at some time during a chordate's development.

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    Description

    Learn about Chordates, a group of organisms with a notochord structure, and their characteristics. This chapter covers the definition and features of Chordates.

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