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Chapter 11 Section 1. What is a vertebrate?. Characteristics of Chordates. Chordate-- phylum whose members Notochord Nerve chord Slits in their throat area at some point in their life. Notochord. A flexible rod that supports a chordate’s back
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Chapter 11 Section 1 What is a vertebrate?
Characteristics of Chordates • Chordate-- phylum whose members • Notochord • Nerve chord • Slits in their throat area at some point in their life
Notochord • A flexible rod that supports a chordate’s back • Some chordates have a notochord all their lives • Vertebrates notochord is replaced by a backbone
Nerve Cord in Back • Notochords have a nerve cord that runs down their back • Example: spinal cord • Connection between brain and the nerves, messages can travel back and forth
Slits in throat Area • Slits in throat area are called pharyngeal • Slits/Gill Slits • Some chordates keep their gill slits • Many vertebrates pharyngeal slits disappear before birth
Characteristics of Vertebrates • Vertebrate • Backbone that is part of an internal skeleton • Made up of many similar bones, lined up in a row (like beads on a string… the string is the spinal cord) • Flexible: Supports and allows the animal to move, movable connections between vertebrae
Backbone • Backbone = spine, runs down center of back • Part of the endoskeleton
Internal Skeleton • Endoskeleton • Protects the internal organs of the body • Helps give the body shape • Gives muscles a place to attach • Includes • Skull, protects brain • Ribs, protect heart, lungs, and other internal organs
