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What is a vertebrate? (Keeping conditions stable (Ectotherms (An ectotherm…
What is a vertebrate?
Keeping conditions stable
The body temperature of most fishes, amphibians, and reptiles is close to the temperature of their enviornment
Birds and mammals have a body temperature warmer then their enviornment
Ectotherms
An ectotherm is an animal whose body does not produce much internal heat
An example is a turtle
Endotherm
An endotherm is an animals whose body regulates its own temperature by controlling the internal heat it produces
Example is birds and mammals
Characteristics of vertebrates
A vertebrate has a backbone that is part of an internal skeleton
Backbone
The backbone is formed by many similar bones called vertebrae
Joints give the spine flexibility
The spinal cord fits into the vertebrate like fingers fit into rings
Internal skeleton
The backbone of a vertebrate is an endoskeleton
A vertebrates endoskeleton also counts for the skull and ribs
Vertebrates can grow bigger then people with exoskeletons
Characteristics of chordates
Most chordates are vertebrates
At some point in their lives, chordates will have a notochord, a nerve cord that runs down their back, and slits in their throat area
Notochord
A notochord is a flexible rod that supports a chordates back
Nerve cord in back
All chordates have a nerve cord that runs down their back
Slits in throat area
At some point in their lives, chordates have slits in their throat area called pharyngeal, some keep them their whole lives
Many vertebrates, including humans lose them before birth