Vertebrate Classification Flashcards

Vertebrate Classes

• Class Agnatha: Includes jawless fish such as lampreys and hagfish.
• Class Chondrichthyes: Comprises cartilaginous fish like sharks, rays, and skates.
• Class Osteichthyes: Consists of bony fish, including catfish, bass, goldfish, and features ray-finned (salmon, eels) and lobe-finned types.
• Class Amphibia: Encompasses frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts, requiring moist environments for reproduction.
• Class Reptilia: Contains turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, and crocodiles, characterized by scales and leathery-shelled eggs.
• Class Aves: Represents birds, most of which are capable of flight and lay shelled eggs.
• Class Mammalia: Includes mammals such as humans, bats, dolphins, and whales, known for feeding young with milk and possessing hair.

Body Structure and Symmetry

• All vertebrate classes exhibit bilateral symmetry in body plans.
• Each class has three tissue layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
• All possess a eucoelomate body cavity.

Digestive and Circulatory Systems

• Digestive systems are predominantly one-way, with instances of cloacas in sharks and birds.
• All classes possess a brain and spinal cord in their nervous systems.
• Reproductive methods vary: external in Agnatha, Osteichthyes, Chondrichthyes, and Amphibia; internal in Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia.
• Circulatory systems vary by class:
  • Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes: 2 chambers
  • Amphibia, Reptilia: 3 chambers
  • Aves, Mammalia: 4 chambers

Respiratory and Excretory Systems

• Aves employ a unique respiratory system with air sacs and continual airflow in lungs due to air-filled bones.
• Excretory systems in Reptilia primarily utilize lungs; Amphibia utilize both gills/lungs and kidneys.

Key Features

• Agnatha: Lack scales and swim bladders.
• Chondrichthyes: No swim bladders, possess cartilaginous structures, ventral mouths, and scales.
• Osteichthyes: Have operculum, scales, and swim bladders.
• Amphibia: Require moist habitats for reproduction and have thin skin.
• Reptilia: Characterized by their scales and leathery-shelled eggs.
• Aves: Features feathers and the ability for most species to fly.
• Mammalia: Notable for milk-feeding young and the presence of hair.

Test your knowledge of vertebrate classes through these flashcards. Each card provides key examples of members from different classes such as Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, and Amphibia. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce their learning.