Defining characteristics of all chordates
- a notochord (dorsal rod of cartilage used for support along the body axis)
- a dorsal hollow nerve cord
- pharyngeal gill slits
- a muscular post and tail
- a notochord (dorsal rod of cartilage used for support along the body axis)
- a dorsal hollow nerve cord
- pharyngeal gill slits
- a muscular post and tail
The "Lower chordata" lab
Higher chordata (vertebrata) defining characteristics
- endoskeleton of bone/cartilage surrounding the dorsal nerve cord
- notocord absent or reduced in adult stage
- pronounced cephalization
- closed circulatory system
- pharyngeal gills, hollow dorsal nerve cord, muscular post anal tail (not always present in all stages of life)
- endoskeleton of bone/cartilage surrounding the dorsal nerve cord
- notocord absent or reduced in adult stage
- pronounced cephalization
- closed circulatory system
- pharyngeal gills, hollow dorsal nerve cord, muscular post anal tail (not always present in all stages of life)
Perch fish dissection
Defining characteristics of amphibians
- quite tied to water
- represents the first attempt by vertebrates to live on land
- external fertilization development
- larva lives exclusively in water as a tadpole and has gills and fins (tadpole)
- crude sac-like lungs that come off the pharynx
- 3 chambered hearts
- beginning of "double pump"
- lateral appendages
- belly draggers (salamander)
- tail and legs that are not well muscled (salamander)
- cumbersome movement of land (salamander)
- increased brain size
- improved senses
- cloaca and fat bodies
- quite tied to water
- represents the first attempt by vertebrates to live on land
- external fertilization development
- larva lives exclusively in water as a tadpole and has gills and fins (tadpole)
- crude sac-like lungs that come off the pharynx
- 3 chambered hearts
- beginning of "double pump"
- lateral appendages
- belly draggers (salamander)
- tail and legs that are not well muscled (salamander)
- cumbersome movement of land (salamander)
- increased brain size
- improved senses
- cloaca and fat bodies
Frog dissection
Defining characteristics of reptilia
- shelled amniotic egg
- internal fertilization
- scales or plates
- 2 pairs of legs with claws on the ventral surface (not seen in all reptiles)
- well developed lungs
- partial division of ventricle (3 and a half chambered heart)
- exothermic
- larger brain and better land adaption
- mate selection behaviours
- territoriality
- no "belly dragging"
- 4 orders; rhynchocephalia, chelonia, crocodilia, squamata
- shelled amniotic egg
- internal fertilization
- scales or plates
- 2 pairs of legs with claws on the ventral surface (not seen in all reptiles)
- well developed lungs
- partial division of ventricle (3 and a half chambered heart)
- exothermic
- larger brain and better land adaption
- mate selection behaviours
- territoriality
- no "belly dragging"
- 4 orders; rhynchocephalia, chelonia, crocodilia, squamata
Sheldyn
Defining characteristics of birds
- head, trunk, and tail
- lightweight bones
- air sacs
- no teeth
- wings and two legs
- endothermic
- heart with 4 chambers
- feathers
- amniotic brain
- uric acid excretion
- endothermic
- egg with a calcified shell
- power of flight
- 4 chambered heart
- evolved cephalization- especially in the cerebrum
- head, trunk, and tail
- lightweight bones
- air sacs
- no teeth
- wings and two legs
- endothermic
- heart with 4 chambers
- feathers
- amniotic brain
- uric acid excretion
- endothermic
- egg with a calcified shell
- power of flight
- 4 chambered heart
- evolved cephalization- especially in the cerebrum
Chick development lab
Defining characteristics of mammals
- mammary glands for nursing young
- 4 chambered heart
- hair or fur
- diaphragm for breathing
- amniotic egg
- extensive post-natal care
- learning and reasoning levels of behaviour
- mammary glands for nursing young
- 4 chambered heart
- hair or fur
- diaphragm for breathing
- amniotic egg
- extensive post-natal care
- learning and reasoning levels of behaviour
Penny
Rat dissection lab
analysis:
analysis:
Labeled dissection: