Survey of Animals from the Phylum Chordata

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Survey of Animals from the Phylum Chordata
Sub Phylum Vertebrata
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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

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Key Characteristics Click to Continue

• 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)

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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
Click to continue
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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
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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
Click to continue
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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
Click to continue
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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
Click to continue