bio lab 6: chordates Flashcards
when did the first members of Phylum Chordata evolve in Cambrian seas
500 million years ago
what are the 4 traits that all chordates have
- notochord,
- dorsal, hollow nerve cord,
3.pharyngeal slits or clefts - muscular, post-anal tail
describe the notochord and what is differentiates into
flexible rodlike structure of mesodermal cells
become part of vertebral column
describe the dorsal, hollow nerve cord and what it develops into
hollow tube of nervous tissue located along the dorsal side of body
develops into central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
describe pharyngeal slits/clefts and what it develops into
openings between the pharynx / through and the outside
differentiate into the external ear canal; formation of neck and throat structures
describe the post anal tail and what it differentiates into
posterior elongation of body
tail / vestigial structure - in humans/ apes only found in embryonic development
what are the 3 subphyla that phylum Chordata is generally subdivided into?
Subphylum Urochordata (Tunicates) – invertebrate
Subphylum Cephalochordata (Lancelets) – invertebrate
Subphylum Vertebrata
describe Subphylum Urochordata (tunicates)
Adults are sessile (don’t move) sac-like filter feeders. their larval form has tail, the adults doesn’t
what is this
B. Subphylum Cephalochordata (lancelets)
label the lancelet
ectothermic vs endothermic
ectothermic, meaning that body temperature is dictated by the temperature of the
surrounding environment. Endothermic animals use their metabolism to regulate their
body temperature independent of the environmental temperature.
oviparous vs viviparous vs ovoviviparous
if an animal is oviparous does it have an amniotic egg?
yess. Egg in which animals develops inside amnion
does having an amniotic egg change what kind of environment animals can be born in?
yes, this allows them to live in areas that don’t have as much water. The egg prevents dehydration, provides offspring with nutrients and prevents shock
describe the hagfish
has slime defence that can suffocate other animals
The small holes on the sides of the hagfish, approximately one third down the body, are
openings to the gills. What feature of the ancestral chordate develop into the gills?
pharyngeal slits
describe the lamprey
has a cartilage skeleton and lacks teeth., sucks blood of fish
The notochord is still present in both hagfish and lamprey. The lamprey also has a
cartilaginous tube with lateral extensions (not visible on this slide) that extend dorsally and
partially enclose the nerve cord. These extensions are the precursors of what anatomical
feature?
vertebral column
how does a lamprey feed
This fish attaches itself to the exterior of another aquatic
animal, rasps through the skin, and feeds on that animal’s blood.
what class are sharks and rays
(Class Chondrichthyes)
describe class Chondrichthyes
These fish have well-developed skeletons made of cartilage, not bone. They are placed in
Class Chondrichthyes, which literally means the cartilaginous fishes
What is this structure? label it
On the side of the shark’s head and on the underside of the ray’s body are several long slits.
What do these openings enclose?
The long slits on the sides of a shark’s head and the underside of a ray’s body are gill slits, which enclose the gills. These structures are vital for the animal’s respiratory system.
Sharks and rays are cartilaginous fish (class Chondrichthyes) that extract oxygen from water as it flows over their gills. Here’s how it works:
- Sharks: Water enters through the mouth or spiracles (small openings near the eyes in some species), passes over the gills, and exits through the gill slits. The gills are rich in blood vessels, allowing oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide release.
- Rays: Rays often rely more heavily on spiracles (especially bottom-dwelling species), drawing water in through them, as their mouths are often pressed against the seafloor. The water then flows over the gills and exits through the slits on the body’s underside.
This adaptation is key to their survival in aquatic environments.
Look at the skate egg case (also known as a “mermaid’s purse”) and the dogfish embryos
on display. Note the yolk sac, still attached to the young dogfish. What is the term for each of
these types of gestation?
skate egg is oviparous and dogfish is ovovoviviparous
what class are ray finned-fished. Describe it
(Class Actinopterygii)
Ray-finned fishes are part of a clade of fish called Osteichthyes, which means “bony fish”.
This means that their skeletons are made of bone instead of cartilage like the hagfish,
lampreys and chondrichthyans
operculum
- Protection: The operculum shields the delicate gills from physical damage, predators, and debris in the water.
-
Respiratory Facilitation: It plays a critical role in the fish’s breathing process by helping to pump water over the gills:
- The fish opens its mouth to draw in water.
- When the mouth closes, the operculum opens slightly, creating a pressure gradient that forces water to flow over the gills.
- This ensures a continuous flow of oxygenated water, allowing gas exchange to occur efficiently.
- Streamlining: The operculum helps maintain the fish’s hydrodynamic shape, reducing drag as it swims.
Unlike cartilaginous fish (sharks and rays), which lack an operculum and rely on multiple gill slits, bony fish have this single covering to house all their gills.