Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
what is a vertebrate? (characteristics of chordates (notochord (name…
what is a vertebrate?
characteristics of chordates
few chordates are vertebrates
jawless fish are from the subgroup in the phylum chordata
most members of this phylum are called chordates
most chordates are vertibrates
EX: fish, amphibians such as frogs and rptiles such as snakes
birds and mammals are also vertebrates
at some point in there lives, chordates will have a notochord, a nerve cord that runs down their back, and pouches in their throat area
notochord
name chordata comes from notochord
notochord a flexible rod that supports the animals back
EX: lancetel
vertebrates can have all or part of the notochord replaced by backbone
nerve cord in back
all chordates have a nerve chord that runs down their back
EX: spinal cord
connection between brain and nerves
arthropods and others have nerve chords but they do not run down their backs
pouches in throat area
for some the pouches become slits called gills
for some including humans they disappear before birth
at some point in their lives chordates have throat pouches
keeping conditions stable
ectotherms
ex; fish amphibians and reptiles
ectotherm is an animal whose body temperature changes depending on the tepurature
"coldblooded"
endotherms
there inner body temp bears no relation to the outside temp
temp does not normally change temp much
endotherm an animal whose body regulates its own temp
sweat glands and fur or feathers are used to control inside temp
they can live in greater variety of environments than ectotherms can
in contrast, birds and mammals have a stable body temperature that is often warmer than their environment
the body temperatures of most fishes, anphibians, and reptiles is close to the temperature of their environment.
characteristics of vertebrates
a vertebrate has a backbone that is part of an internal skeleton
most chordates are vertebrates
Internal skeleton
allows mobility
a backbone is part of a vertebrates endoskeleton
endoskeleton protects the internal organs
backbone
a back bone is formed by many similar bones called vertebrae
runs down the center of tis body: aka a spine
