Phylum Chordata: Mammals, Fish, Birds Flashcards
Pharyngeal Gill Slits
are openings in the pharynx of some chordates, serving as respiratory structures in aquatic vertebrates and embryonic structures in others.
Notochord
a flexible, rod-like structure in chordates, providing support and serving as a precursor to the vertebral column in vertebrates.
Dorsal Nerve Cord
is a tubular structure along the dorsal side of chordates, forming the central nervous system and connecting to the brain in vertebrates.
Tail
a muscular extension beyond the anal opening in chordates, contributing to locomotion and present in some stage of development.
Lateral Line
is a sensory organ in fish, consisting of small, fluid-filled canals that detect changes in water pressure and assist in navigation.
Ovoviviparous
_____ reproduction involves embryos developing within eggs that are retained within the mother’s body until hatching.
Viviparous
______ organisms give birth to live young, with the offspring developing within the mother’s body.
Oviparous
_____ organisms lay eggs, and the development of the embryo occurs outside the mother’s body.
Cloaca
is a common chamber for the release of excretory and reproductive products, found in certain vertebrates, including reptiles and birds.
Tympanum
the external eardrum, typically present in amphibians, reptiles, and some mammals.
Eustachian Tube
connects the middle ear to the pharynx, equalizing air pressure and regulating hearing in vertebrates.
Amniotic Egg
a specialized egg with membranes that protect and nourish the developing embryo, allowing reproduction in terrestrial environments, characteristic of reptiles and birds.
Ectothermic
regulate their body temperature primarily through external environmental sources, commonly seen in reptiles and amphibians.
Endothermic
can internally regulate their body temperature, as observed in birds and mammals.
Feather
are lightweight, keratinous structures covering the bodies of birds, providing insulation, aiding in flight, and displaying various functions.
Gizzard
is a muscular organ in birds and some reptiles that grinds food with the help of swallowed stones or grit.
Placenta
is an organ formed during pregnancy in mammals, facilitating nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and the developing offspring.
Hair
a filamentous structure covering the skin of mammals, providing insulation, protection, and sensory functions.
Mammary Glands
are specialized organs in mammals that produce milk to nourish and sustain the young.
Pear-Shaped Uterus
Singular Births
Y- Shaped Uteru
Births litters
