BIO 15-20 (smart classmates) Flashcards
What are the 4 key characteristics of Chordates?
1) There is a presence of notochord
2)The nerve cord runs parallel with the notochord and gut, anterior end develops into the brain
3)Gill slits penetrate the wall of a pharynx (at least at some point in embryological development)
4) Tail extends past the anus (at least at some point of their development)
*** All of these features are present is chordate embryos
Do all vertebrata have vertebrates?
NO
What are 2 basic characteristics of Chordates?
They are coelomate and demonstrate bilateral symmetry.
What is the Notochord?
It is a rod of stiffened, but flexible, tissue that helps support the body.
The notochord also later develops into the vertebral column
What are some characteristics of the bodily systems of chordates?
They have a defined central nervous system
-The pharynx moves from a digestive tract to a respiratory organ
What are the 3 major sub-phyla of chordates?
1) Urochordata (invertebrates)
2) Cephalochordata (invertebrates)
3) Vetebrata
What is a distinguishing characteristics of the vetebrata?
The vertebral column evolves from primitive notochord, composed on individual vertebral bones and are separated by disks (ligaments)
What is the common name for Urochordata?
They are known as sea squirts or tunicates.
What are the characteristics of Urochordata?
-Is the most ancestral sub-phylum of chordates.
-They begin as bilateral larvae swimmers
-Adults display evolutionary reversals
-They have a jellylike tunic around the pharynx
-Most are a few centimeters long
-Live in a variety of aquatic habitats
-Are filter feeders and have an incurrent and outcurrent siphon, gill slits
-The pharynx is a respiratory organ as well
-Gas exchange is done through diffusion
What are some reversals that we see in adult Urochordates?
-Their tail is reabsorbed
-They take on more of a radial symmetry
-Their nerve cord is absorbed into their body
-They gather oxygen through diffusion
-Have a basic circulatory system
What is the tunicate?
The larva form of urochordates
What are the characteristics of Cephalochordata?
-Closets relatives to Vertebrata
-Only 3-7 cm long
-Body display all chordate features throughout their life
-Have a head and a simple brains with neurons
-Have segmented muscles
-Are filter feeders
-Nerve cord sits dorsal to the notocord
-Tail is used for balance
What are some major body characteristics of Cephalochordata?
-Have an eyespot
-Tentacle like structures around the mouth
-Dorsal tubular nerve cord
-Notocord
-Pharynx with gill slits
-tail extending past anus
What are the myomeres?
They are each segmented muslce
What are the characteristics of Vertebrata?
-Pharynx completely shifts to gas exchange
-Accessory digestive organs such as the liver and pancreas
-Have chambered hearts
-Have tripartite brain
-Have advanced sensory structures (increased cephalization)
-Have an affinity for oxygen in red blood cells (hemoglobin)
-Have kidneys
-Have an endocrine system
What does tripartite brain mean?
That the brain have a forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain
What is the purpose of the liver in vertebrata?
It secretes bile and metabolizes protein, fats, and other substances
What is the purpose of the pancreas?
It regulates sugar levels in the blood
Define emulsification
The process in which large lipid globules are broken down into smaller lipid globules.
What classes fall under the sub phylum Vertebrata?
Myxini (Hagfish)
Petromyzontida (lamprey)
What is the ancestral state of hearts?
Having 2 chambers
What is the derived state of hearts?
Having 4 chambers (Birds and mammals have 4 heart chambers)
Excretory system
Is made of individual units known as nephrons that filter the blood and get rid of waste (bladder and kidneys included)
hat is a unique characteristics of Myxini?
They are the most ancestral class within the vertebrata and their new characteristic is that they have a cranium
What is the earliest cranium made out of?
Cartilage
What are the characteristics of Myxini?
-Known as hagfish
-Do not have a true vertebral column
-First group with a cranium
-Cartilage protects their brain (no bone yet)
-Nearly blind
-Finds found through sensory tentacles
-Are relatively sessile and have low metabolic rates
Define the cranium
It is a hardened structure made out of cartilage that protects the brain.
What is the defense mechanism of hagfish?
They excrete a thick slime into the environment that basically clogs the gills of its predators which causes them to suffocate and die.
What is a new characteristic found in Petromyzontida?
Their new characteristic is that they have a true vertebral column
What are the characteristics of Petromyzontida (lampreys)?
Become distinct due to the presence of a vertebrate (First true vertebrates)
-Are jawless
-Are parasitic
-Have a small cerebellum
-Have sensory structures such as eyes well, two-pairs of semicircular canals
-Well established in great lakes
-Defined CNS
What is the purpose of the cerebellum?
Responsible for balance and equillibrium
What are ammocoetes?
he larvae of petromyzontida (hagfish)
What is the life cycle of hagfish?
-M/F hagfish seek out riffle areas and create a crescent shaped nests with gravel and small stones
-They place their fertilized eggs among the gravel which hatch a few weeks later
-Larvae emerge from the nests and drift downstream.
-These larvae will burrow into silt and will remain there for 3-5 years until they mature.
-adult parasites will leave silt as sea lampreys and feed on fish.
*** each adult lamprey will spend 12-18 months in the lakes and destroy up to 40 pound of fish.
What are the ecological issues with hagfish?
Hagfish are a highly invasive species and they are causing a decline in the fish population in great lakes. It has commercial affects because fishing companies cannot take to market fish that have been bitten and there is a decrease in fish population.
What are the teeth of hagfish made out of?
Keratin
Explain the semicircular canals
Sensory structures that are the earliest development of ear canals
Vertigo
Sensation of feeling dizzy
Invasive species
Any species that moves into a havitat that is not native to them and they over compete against the native species
What are some physical features of hagfish?
Eye
-Nostril
-Buccal tunnel
-External gill slits
- Anterior dorsal fin
-Caudal fin
-Tail
-Cloacal aperture
Lampricide
A pesticide used to try to control sea lamprey populations. This pesticide specifically targets the larval stage of the sea lamprey.
What starts the class of fish?
Chondrichthyes
What are the sub classes to Chondrichthyes?
Holocephali and elasmobranchii
What is a unique characteristic we begin to see with Chondrichthyes?
They begin to have jaws.
What is the study of fish?
Ichthyology
-Chon
means having cartilage
What is the purpose of having pointed bodies?
It allows for efficient hydrodynamic movement
What are some characteristics of Chondrichthyes?
-about 900 species
-Cartilaginous skeleton
-oily liver
-5-7 pairs of external gill slits
-3 pairs of semicircular canals
-Almost all viviparous
-two chambered heart
-heterocercal caudal fin
-pelvic claspers
-placoid scales
-ventral. outh and polyphydont teeth
What is the purpose of the liver in chondrichthyes??
It plays a dual function where it takes care of toxins in the body and regulate fat. It is also now full of vacuoles that help it maintain buoyancy.
Viviparous
giving birth to live young
oviparous
being born from an egg
What is the purpose of pelvic claspers?
Helps male sharks keep female sharks in place since they are not as willing to mate. The claspers attach to the females and inflict pain if they begin to move too much or try to fight the male sharks.
Define polyphydont teeth in sharks
They keep constantly growing where older teeth are in the front and newer teeth are in the back.
What are the variations of the caudal fin?
Heterocercal (shark)
Diphycercal (lungfish)
Homocercal (perch)
What is the ancestral form of the caudal fin?
The heterocercal tail
What are the variations of scales in fish?
-Placoid scales (cartilaginous fishes)
-Ganoid scales (nonteleost bony fishes)
-Cycloid scales (teleost fishes)
-Ctenoid scales (teleost fishes)
What is the ancestral scale form?
Having placoid scales
Atrium
top chamber of the heart
ventricle
bottom chamber of the heart
Heterocercal
asymmetrical tail
Homocercal
Having a symmetrical tail
Diphycercal
having a symmetrical tail but it also comes to a point
Placoid scales
each scale has little tiny spines that give it a sand paper feel
Ganoid scales
diamond like scales
Cycloid scales
overlapping circular scales
Ctenoid scales
circular/square shape with little spines at the end
Biphydont teeth
Type of teeth humans have; having two sets of teeth
What is one specialized sensory characteristics of Chondrichthyes?
They have neuromast cells that are found in the lateral line that act as mechanoreceptors and detect movement in the water
What is a second specialized sensory characteristics of sharks?
They have ampullae of lorenzini which are sensory cells that are sensitive to electrical potentials and detect prey, which gives off a weak magnetic field.
Are the 2 final specialized sensory characteristics of sharks?
-They have chemoreception which aids in their amazing smell and can detect 1 part per 10 billion - hammer heads specifically have stereo smell and really good vision.
How does the mechanoreception and electroreception work in sharks?
They have jelly filled canals that are concentrated in the rostrum that are electroreceptive; electrical pulses are then passed onto a bundle of nerves (known as ampullae of larenzini) that sits at the base of these canals.
What is the main differences between Holocephali and elasmobranchii?
Holocephali are includes the ratfish and rays and have 4 gill slits opening.
Elasmobranchii includes the sharks and has 5-7 fill slits.
What are holocephali also called?
Chimaeras
What are the characteristics of holocephali?
-Know as rabbitfish, ratfish, spookfish, ghostfish (25 species)
- remnants left of a line that diverged from the shark lineage during the devonian era (300 mya)
-Have jaws that bear large flat plates, upper jaw is fused to cranium, and have a grinding dentition (bottom jaw)
-Have bizarre shapes and are not well understood, rarely caught but are beautifully colored and iridescent
What are the major differences between skates and rays?
-Skates have an elongated but thick tail stalk that supports two dorsal finds and a terminal caudal fin, they are also oviparous.
Rays have a whiplike tail, and its fins are replaced with one or more enlarged, serrated, and venomous dorsal barbs; viviparous.
Differences between skates and rays simplified
1) Rays are normally larger
2) Skates are oviparous while rays are viviparous
3) Skates have a thick and long tail stalk while rays have a whiplike and venomous tail.
What is the fourth class under vertebrata?
Osteichthyes (have bone)
What are the subclasses to osteichthyes?
Actinopyterygii (ray finned) and Sarcopterygii (lobe fins)
What are the characteristics of Actinopterygii?
-Known as the ray finned fish
-adapted to radiation in Devonian age (age of the fish)
-Includes 27,000 species
-Have a bony skeleton
-Have a homocercal tail
-Have ganoid scales in ancestral forms and cycloid or ctenoid scales in derived forms
-Have pairs fins that are supported by lepidotrichia (sharp ray like bones in fins).
What the Devonian era known form?
Was 300 mya and is known as the age of the fish.
What are lepidotrichia and what is its purpose?
They are sharp ray-like bones in the fins that provide structure and protection.
What are the operculum?
Boney covers over the gills of fish
What are some basic external anatomy features of Actinopterygii?
Lateral line
-Dorsal fin
-Caudal fin
-Anal fin
-pectoral fin
-pelvic fin
-gills
-operculum
How does respiration occur in Actinopterygii?
Respiration is accomplished through their gills. The gills have a counter-current exchange system that allows respiration to occur.
Explain the purpose of the swim bladder in Actinopterygii
It aids in the buoyancy in fishes.
In chondrichthyes they have large oily livers with vacuoles in the liver cells that increase pressure and allows for movement in the water column
In actinopterygii, they have gas bladders that adjust with water and aid in movement in the water column.
Sarcopterygii
Commonly known as the lobe-finned fish
What are some characteristics of sarcoptergii?
-They had morphological characteristics that were superficially similar to amphibians
-There are 8 extant species within 2 orders
-They have a diphycercal tail
-Fertilization can be external or internal
-The big change: was the beginning of the evolution of lungs.
What order are the lungfish in?
The Dipnoi order. This class is closest to amphibians
What are some species of lungfish?
-Australian lungfish
-African lungfish
-South American Lungfish
Australian lungfish
Are the ancestral forms and had one lung, were aquatic, and rely on gills but can use lung as a backup.
-They swim by slow body undulations or through “walking” with fins and similar to early amphibians
-Use single lung when stressed
African (Protopterus) and South American Lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa)
-Have tiny gills and rely more on their lungs.
-Can drown if they are prevented from using its paired lungs
-Highly mobile paired appendages
-Undergo estivation (African lungfish)
-First time we begin to see a true transition from living in the sea to life on land.
Estivation
Ways that an organism accomplishes torpor by avoiding dry, hot weather
Torpor
educing your metabolic rate and decreasing your energy demands
What is the Reptile class known for?
Having an amniotic egg
What orders fall under reptiles?
-Testudines (turtles)
-Squamata (lepidosauria)
-Crocodilia
What are the sub orders of squamata?
-Serpentes (snakes)
-Lacertilia (Lizards)
What animals are Amniotes?
-Includes the reptiles, birds, mammals, and amniotes
What are the derived features of amniotes?
They have an amniotic egg now that they are in terrestrial ecosystems which have been fully colonized by them
-They have waterproof skin
-Have costal ventilation using paired lungs (which is movement of the ribs)
What is the most ancient reptile order?
Testudines
Egg characteristics of amniotes
They retain their eggs inside without laying it out
Skin characteristics of amniotes
They now have scales, feathers, fur and waterproof skin
Costal Ventilation
It enhances their respiration by using their ribs to expand the space in the lungs to allow extra oxygen to come in. This is important b/c reptiles take on a much larger form and need more oxygen.
Parts of the Amniotic Egg
-Leathery Shell
-Chorion
-Allantois
-Yolk sac
-Embryo
What are the 4 major chambers of the amniotic egg?
Amnion
Allantois
Chorion
Yolk Sac
Purpose of the Amnion
Purple sac that directly cushions the embryo and provides protection and support
Purpose of the allantois
Where the developing embryo stores its waste
Purpose of the Chorion
Thin white layer that allows for gas exchange to occur with the external environment
Purpose of the Yolk Sac
Where the embryo receives its nutrition from
Characteristics that Reptiles have that distinguishes them from amphibians
Better developed lungs
Tough, dry scaly skin that offers protection against desiccation and physical injury
Amniotic egg permits rapid development of large young in relatively dry environments
Have an efficient and versatile circulatory system and higher blood pressure than amphibians
Have efficient strategies for water conservation
Nervous system is much more complex
Desiccation
Drying out
Why have turtles been so successful?
B/c of their hard shells and low metabolic needs. Turtles, crocodiles, and birds have been the only species that have survived mass environmental catastrophes.
What is the earliest known turtles?
The eunotosaurus africanus which lives 260 mya during the permian (before the age of the dinos)
What are the two extant lineages of turtles?
-Pleurodires
-Cryptodires
Pleurodires
-Known as side-necked turtles
-Live in the southern hemisphere
Neck Mechanism of Pleurodires
Can bend their neck to the side to afford their protections yet it is not as efficient b/c is still leaves their neck exposed
Cryptodires
-Hidden necked turtles
-Live in the Northern Hemisphere
-about 350 species total
Neck mechanism of cryptodires
Their cervical vertebrae allows them to bend it so that the turtles can fully pull their neck into their shell.
Evolutionary contraint of a turtles shell
There has been no selective pressure for turtles to get rid of their shell and therefore have not evolved any other traits that we commonly see such as being able to glide, slide, or live high up on trees.
Bone breakdown of a turtle
-Neck
-Ribs
-Fused Vertebrae
-Carapace
-Plastron
Carapace
The top of a turtles’s shell
Plastron
The bottom of a turtles shell
What are the classifications of amniotes based on temporal fenestration?
Anapsid (turtles)
-Synapsid (mammals)
-Diapsid (other reptiles/birds)
Temporal Fenestration
Posterior to the orbit
Anapsid
Has no opening posterior to its orbit
Synapsid
Has 1 opening posterior to its orbit
Diapsid
Has 2 openings posterior to its orbit
Gender of turtles
-Turtles do no have sex chromosomes
-They have temperature sex determination where gender is determined by the temperature they were in during incubation
Temperature sex determination
Cooler temps. leads to males and hotter temps. lead to females
Conservation concerns in regards to a turtles eggs
Global warming can cause a giant skew towards one gender because as the ground warms up, then it will affect temperature sex determination (for turtles we would se more and more females being born over males)
What other animals have temperature sex determination?
Crocs
What falls under the Order Squamata?
(Lepidosauria) - Common name is Lizards and snakes
What is the first sub-order of Squamata?
The Serpentes (aka the snakes)
What are the two types of venomous snakes?
Elapids and Vipers
What group of snakes if nonvenomous?
The Colubrid