0 general features of chordata
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
Characteristics Of Phylum Chordata
Phylum Chordata possesses the following characteristic features:
Notochord
It is a longitudinal, cartilaginous rod running between the nerve cord and the digestive tract. It acts as a support for the nerve cord and is replaced by the vertebral column after the embryonic stage in all vertebrates.
Dorsal Nerve Cord
It is a bundle of nerves running along the “back” and splits into the brain and the spinal cord. It is hollow and lies dorsal to the notochord.
Pharyngeal Slits
They are the openings which allow the entry of water through the mouth without entering the digestive system viz. they connect mouth and throat. All Chordates have these openings on the lateral sides of the pharynx at some stage of their life.
Post anal Tail
It is an extension of the body to the anus. In chordates, the tail is composed of skeletal muscles which help in locomotion in fish-like species. It is absent in most of the adult Chordates.
Other characteristics of chordates include:
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomic and segmented body.
The body design is complex and well-differentiated.
The body has an organ system level of organization.
Also Read: Animal Kingdom
Classification Of Phylum Chordata
Phylum Chordata is classified into three subphyla, namely
Urochordata (tunicates),
Cephalochordata (lancelets)
Vertebrata (vertebrates).
What are Features of Phylum Chordata?
- Presence of a notochord
- Germ layer Triploblastic.
- Bilateral symmetry body.
- Coelom Present
- Presence of gill (pharyngeal) slits.
- Presence of post anal tail
- Presence of dorsal hollow nerve cord