Phylum Chordata!
General Characteristics of all chordates
- Notochord, dorsal rod of cartilage used for support along body axis
- Dorsal hollow nerve cord
- pharyngeal gill slits
- muscular, post and tail
Lower Chordates Lab
Vertebrata (Higher Chordata)
Defining Characteristics
- endoskeleton of bone/cartilage which surrounds the dorsal nerve
- notochord absent or reduced in adult
- pronounced cephalization
- a closed circulatory system
Perch Dissection
Class Amphibia
Defining Characteristics
- reproduction: external fertilization and development
- larva lives in water, has gills and fins
- undergoes metamorphosis
- adult is air breathing
- 3 chambered heart
- 2 atria and 1 ventricle
- cloaca
- fat bodies
- increased brain size and improved senses
Frog Lab Analysis
Class Reptilia
Defining Characteristics
- amniotic egg - shelled
- internal fertilization
- scales or plates
- 2 pairs of legs with claw on ventral surface (if there are legs)
- well developed lungs
- partial division of ventricle
- exothermic
Class Aves: The birds
Defining Characteristics
- head, trunk & tail
- bones - lightweight
- air sac
- no teeth
- wings, 2 legs
- endothermic
- four chambered heart
- feathers
- amniotic egg
- uric acid excretion
Chick Embryo Development
Class Mammalia
Characteristics
- 4 chambered heart
- hair/fur
- diaphragm for breathing
- amniotic egg
- mammary glans for nursing young
- extensive post natal care
- learning and reasoning levels of behaviour