11.1 what is a vertebrate

Warm-Up

On your desk is a KWL, in the first column write all the things you know about vertebrates. Once you are finished we will go over them and as we do, put items into the second column that you’d like to learn about. When we are finished today, you will put items into the third column that you learned.

SECTION 1 : WHAT IS A VERTEBRATE?

Chapter 11: Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles

Key Concepts

What characteristics do chordates share?What characteristic do all vertebrates have?How do vertebrates differ in the way they

control body temperature?

Key Terms

ChordateNotochordVertebraEctothermEndotherm

Refresher: Classification Chart

DomainKingdomPhylumClassOrderFamilyGenusSpecies

Characteristics of Chordates

All members of the subgroup in the phylum Chordata are called Chordates.

At some point, a chordate will have a notochord, a nerve cord that runs down their back, and slits in their throat area.

Most chordates are vertebrates, but not all.

The five vertebrate groups are fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Characteristics of Chordates

A notochord is the flexible rod that supports a chordates back.

Chordata also have a nerve cord in their back which sends messages from their brain to their nerves.

Chordates also have slits in their throat area. Not all keep them for their entire life.

Characteristics of Chordates

What are the five vertebrate groups?Why is it important for the notochord to be

both firm and flexible?

Characteristics of Vertebrates

Most chordates are vertebrates. This means there are other characteristics that they have then.

Vertebrates have backbones which is part of their internal skeleton. This skeleton supports the body and allows it to move.

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Characteristics of Vertebrates

A vertebrae’s backbone is also called a spine, and it runs down the center of its back.

Vertebra are the bones that are lined up in a row down the vertebrae’s back. The joints between the vertebra give it the ability to move.

Characteristics of Vertebrates

Vertebrates, like humans, have an internal skeleton that protects its internal organs.

An internal skeleton helps give a vertebrates body shape and gives muscles a place to attach.

A vertebrate’s endoskeleton does not need to be replaced, instead it grows with the vertebrate.

Keeping Conditions Stable

The body temperature of most fishes, amphibians, and reptiles is close to the temperature of their environment.

Birds and mammals are the opposite; they have a stable body temperature that is usually warmer than their environment.

Keeping Conditions Stable

Fishes, reptiles, and amphibians are ectotherms.

An ectotherm is an animal whose body does not produce much internal heat.

This means that an ectotherm depends on its environment for warmth.

Ectotherms are often called cold-blooded.

Keeping Conditions Stable

An endotherm is an animal that regulates its own body temperature by controlling the internal heat it produces.

Its body heat does not change much even when the environment temperature does.

Endotherms have adaptations like sweat glands, fur, or feathers to maintain their body temperature.

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