Chondrichthyes Class Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What common fishes does the class Chondrichthyes include?

Sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras

What is a shark?

What is a Great White Shark?

What is a Bonnethead shark?

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What type of skeleton and scales do Chondrichthyes possess?

Skeletons made of cartilage and small tooth-like spines called placoid scales Signup and view all the answers

How can Chondrichthyans reproduce?

Viviparous, Ovoviviparous, and Oviparous Signup and view all the answers

What is the modified fin in male Chondrichthyans used during reproduction?

Claspers Signup and view all the answers

What are the offspring of cartilaginous fish called?

Pups Signup and view all the answers

What type of body shape and caudal fin do sharks possess?

Fusiform (torpedo) body shape and heterocercal caudal fin Signup and view all the answers

Why is the ability to store and release lipids in cartilaginous fish so important for their survival?

It helps in buoyancy Signup and view all the answers

What is a rectal gland and what is its purpose in cartilaginous fish?

It helps remove excess sodium and chloride ions and converts ammonia to urea Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the teeth in sharks?

They have multiple rows of teeth and replace them when worn or lost Signup and view all the answers

What is the first sense that sharks use to detect prey?

Olfactory sense Signup and view all the answers

How many senses does a shark have?

8 Signup and view all the answers

What sense has only evolved in cartilaginous fish and what does it detect?

Electroreceptors; they detect bioelectric fields Signup and view all the answers

Which sharks are known to be filter feeders?

Whale sharks and basking sharks Signup and view all the answers

How are rays and skates anatomically different from sharks?

Rays and skates have flattened bodies and flexible pectoral fins Signup and view all the answers

What do rays and skates use for their influx of oxygen?

Spiracles Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of rays that can be found around Guam?

Spotted Eagle Ray & Manta Ray Signup and view all the answers

What defense mechanism do stingrays use?

Venomous spines along or near the base of the tail Signup and view all the answers

How is a chimaera different from a shark, ray, or skate?

A chimaera has a big head, large eyes, and 4 gill slits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Class Chondrichthyes Overview

Includes sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras.
Characterized by a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone.

Shark Types

Great White Shark: Known for size and predatory skills.
Bonnethead Shark: Smaller shark with a unique head shape.

Anatomy and Physiology

Cartilaginous skeletons support a lightweight structure.
Placoid scales provide protection and reduce drag in water.
Heterocercal caudal fin aids in swift movement.

Reproductive Methods

Three modes of reproduction: viviparous (live birth), ovoviviparous (eggs hatch within the mother), and oviparous (egg-laying).
Males possess modified pelvic fins known as claspers for internal fertilization.
Offspring referred to as "pups."

Sensory Capabilities

Sharks have eight senses, primarily relying on olfaction for detecting prey from great distances.
The ampullae of Lorenzini are unique electroreceptors that detect bioelectric fields from other animals.
Utilizes lateral line system for movement detection in water.

Feeding Behavior

Predator sharks have multiple rows of teeth (6-20) that continuously replace as needed, potentially using over 20,000 teeth in a lifetime.
Filter feeders include whale sharks and basking sharks, which consume plankton.

Specialized Adaptations

Large liver filled with lipids provides buoyancy, crucial for survival in aquatic environments.
Rectal gland regulates salt balance by removing excess sodium and chloride ions, and converts ammonia to urea.

Distinctions among Chondrichthyans

Rays and skates have flattened bodies and wing-like pectoral fins, suited for a benthic lifestyle.
Spiracles allow for water intake for respiration when the mouth is buried in sand.
Stingrays feature venomous spines for defense and can lash their muscular tails quickly.

Chimaeras

Distinct from other Chondrichthyans with a large head, prominent eyes, elongated snout, and four gill slits covered by an operculum.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the class Chondrichthyes, which includes sharks, rays, and skates. This quiz features key terms and definitions related to these fascinating cartilaginous fish. Perfect for biology students studying marine life.