Download Survey of Animals from the Phylum Chordata

Survey of Animals
from the
Phylum Chordata
Sub Phylum Vertebrata
Common Chordate
Features
All Chordates, at some point in their lives have four features: (Click)

Notochord: a rod of stiffened tissue supporting the body (later
develops into bony units comprising the vertebral column).

Dorsal Nerve Chord: located just above the notochord and gut
region (protected by vertebrae after full development)

Muscular Pharynx: the entrance to the digestive tract (with small
gill slits)

Tail (or rudiment thereof): located near the anus
Key Characteristics:
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
Body Temperature Regulation
– Ectotherm: body changes temperature in response to external environment
– Homeotherm: temperature remains constant regardless of external environment

# Of Heart Chambers
– Two: (atrium/ventricle) allows for mixing of deoxygenated & oxygenated blood
– Three: (2 atria/1 ventricle) more efficient separation of deO2 & O2 blood
– Four: (2 atria/2 ventricles) complete separation of deO2 & O2 blood

Respiratory Organs (Exchange of 02 & CO2)
– Lungs, Gills, Skin: moist membranes designed for gas exchange in/out of blood

Reproductive Structures (Embryo Development)
– Internal Amniotic Egg: develops inside of mother and contains amnion/amniotic fluid
– External Amniotic Egg: develops outside of mother and contains amnion/amniotic fluid
– Aquatic Egg: contains no amnion and develops in a liquid (aquatic) environment

Excretory Mechanisms (H2O Conservation)
– Urea: liquid waste released by specialized excretory structures (toxic if accumulates)
– Uric Acid: solid waste (conserves H2O, non-toxic, & therefore can be stored)
Class Pisces (Fish)
Temperature
Regulation
Ectotherm
# Heart Chambers
2
Breathing
Mechanism
Gills
Skin/Covering
Scales
Reproduction
(Eggs)
Aquatic
Excretory
Mechanism
Urea / (NH3)
Means of
Locomotion
Swimming Fins
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Class Amphibia
Temperature
Regulation
Ectotherm
# Heart
Chambers
3
Breathing
Mechanism
Skin / Gills
Skin/Covering
Moist Skin
Reproduction
(Eggs)
Aquatic
Excretory
Mechanism
Urea / NH3
Means of
Locomotion
Tail / Fins / Legs
Click to continue
Class Reptilia
Temperature
Regulation
Ectotherm
# Heart
Chambers
3/4
Breathing
Mechanism
Lungs
Skin/Covering
Dry Leathery
Scales
Reproduction
(Eggs)
Amniotic
Excretory
Mechanism
Uric Acid
Means of
Locomotion
Legs / Tail
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Class Aves (Birds)
Temperature
Regulation
Homeotherm
# Heart
Chambers
4
Breathing
Mechanism
Lungs
Skin/Covering
Feathers
Reproduction
(Eggs)
Amniotic
Excretory
Mechanism
Uric Acid
Means of
Locomotion
Wings / Legs
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Class Mammalia
Temperature
Regulation
Homeotherm
# Heart
Chambers
4
Breathing
Mechanism
Lungs
Skin/Covering
Hair
Reproduction
(Eggs)
Amniotic
Excretory
Mechanism
Urea / NH3
Means of
Locomotion
Legs / Wings /
Fins
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