fish Flashcards
vertebral column
The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is a bony skeletal structure found in vertebrates
neural crest
cells are a temporary group of cells unique to vertebrates that arise from the embryonic ectoderm cell layer, and in turn give rise to a diverse cell lineage
fin
A fin is a thin component or appendage attached to a larger body or structure. Fins typically function as foils that produce lift or thrust
scale
are part of the fish’s integumentary system, and are produced from the mesoderm layer of the dermis, which distinguishes them from reptile scales. The same genes involved in tooth and hair development in mammals are also involved in scale development.
operculum
a secreted plate that serves to close the aperture of a gastropod mollusk’s shell when the animal is retracted.
atrium
each of the two upper cavities of the heart from which blood is passed to the ventricles. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the veins of the body; the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary vein.
ventricle
a hollow part or cavity in an organ, in particular.
nephron
each of the functional units in the kidney, consisting of a glomerulus and its associated tubule, through which the glomerular filtrate passes before emerging as urine.
lateral line
a visible line along the side of a fish consisting of a series of sense organs that detect pressure and vibration.
spawning
of a fish, frog, mollusk, crustacean, etc.) release or deposit eggs.
swim bladder
a gas-filled sac present in the body of many bony fishes, used to maintain and control buoyancy.
jawless fish
any of the taxonomic group (Agnatha) of primitive vertebrates without jaws including cyclostomes and extinct related forms — compare bony fish, cartilaginous fish.
cartilaginous fish
a fish of a class distinguished by having a skeleton of cartilage rather than bone, including the sharks, rays, and chimeras.
Bony fish
a fish of a large class distinguished by a skeleton of bone, and comprising the majority of modern fishes.
dogfish
a small sand-colored bottom-dwelling shark with a long tail, common on European coasts.
