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What is a Vertebrate (Characteristics of Chordates (Notochord (The phylum…
What is a Vertebrate
Characteristics of Chordates
Notochord
The phylum name Chordata comes from the notochord.
Some chordates have notochords all their life. Others, part or all of the notochord is replaced by a backbone.
Nerve Chord in Back
All chordates have a nerve cord that runs down their back, besides the notochord, which is the connection between the brain and the nerves where messages are sent back and forth.
Slits in Throat Area
At some point in the life of a chordate, they have slits in their throat area called pharyngeal slits, also called gill slits.
In humans, they disappear before birth, but in fish, they stay with them the entire life.
Keeping Conditions Stable
Ectotherms
Ectotherms are sometimes called "coldblooded" which is misleading because their blood is warm.
The body temperature of most fishes, amphibians, and reptiles is closest to the temperature of their environment. In contrast, birds and mammals have a stable body temperature that is often warmer than their environment.
Ectotherms are animals that mostly rely on their surroundings for their body heat.
Endotherms
Endotherms are animals who produce their own body temperature.
Endotherms have sweat glands and fur/feathers/hair for keeping their body temperature even.
They can live in a greater variety of environments can.
Characteristics of Vertebrates
Backbone
A vertebrate's backbone (spine) runs down the center of its back and is formed by many similar bones called vertebrae.
Joints between the vertebrae give the spine flexibility. Each vertebra has a hole in it that allows the spinal cord to pass through it.
Internal Skeleton
Endoskeletons protect the internal organs of the body, help give the body its shape, and gives muscles a place to attach.
Unlike an arthropod's exoskeleton, an endoskeleton doesn't need to be replaced as the animal grows.
Endoskeletons protect the body from the downward pull of gravity.