The phylum Chordata consists of animals with a flexible rod supporting their dorsal or back sides. The phylum name derives from the Greek root word chord- meaning string. Most species within the phylum Chordata are vertebrates, or animals with backbones (subphylum Vertebrata).
What does Vertebrata mean in Latin?
The word vertebrate derives from the Latin word vertebratus (Pliny), meaning joint of the spine. Vertebrate is derived from the word vertebra, which refers to any of the bones or segments of the spinal column.
What does the word notochord mean?
Definition of notochord
: a longitudinal flexible rod of cells that in the lowest chordates (such as a lancelet or a lamprey) and in the embryos of the higher vertebrates forms the supporting axis of the body.
What does Chordata mean in Latin?
“division of the animal kingdom including the true vertebrates,” 1880, Modern Latin, from neuter plural of Latin chordatus “having a (spinal) cord,” from chorda “cord, string” (from PIE root *ghere- “gut, entrail”).
What is the meaning of Chordata in biology?
Definition of chordate
: any of a phylum (Chordata) of animals having at least at some stage of development a notochord, dorsally situated central nervous system, and gill slits and including the vertebrates, lancelets, and tunicates.
What is the origin of vertebra?
Borrowing from Latin vertebra (“a joint”), from vertō (“to turn”) + -bra (instrumental nominal suffix). Having multiple vertebrae (plural of vertebra) in one’s backbone instead of having a single bone or solid spine, allows for the movement of the body with bends and turns. Hence meaning 1.
What is notochord in zoology?
The notochord is an embryonic midline structure common to all members of the phylum Chordata, providing both mechanical and signaling cues to the developing embryo. In vertebrates, the notochord arises from the dorsal organizer and it is critical for proper vertebrate development.
What’s a pharyngeal?
Medical Definition of pharyngeal
1 : relating to or located in the region of the pharynx. 2a : innervating the pharynx especially by contributing to the formation of the pharyngeal plexus the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve. b : supplying or draining the pharynx the pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery.
What are the difference between chordates and non-chordates?
The major point to differentiate between chordates and non-chordates is that chordates have a spinal cord or backbone in their body structure whereas non-chordates are without backbone or notochord in their body structure.
Do chordates have a notochord?
All chordates have a notochord at some stage in their lives, but in some (such as tunicates) the notochord is lost in the adult, whereas in others (such as the vertebrates) the notochord is present in the embryo, but in later stages is largely replaced and surrounded by the vertebrae, or backbones.
What language is Chordata?
Includes the subphyla Cephalochordata, Urochordata, and Vertebrata (vertebrates). Etymology: from Latin chorda, meaning “cord”, “string”. Synonym: chordate. Discover more about Phylum Chordata.
What is another name for a chordate?
n. urochordate, cephalochordate, tunicate, craniate, urochord, vertebrate.
What is the function of Chordata?
The notochord is the defining structure of the chordates, and has essential roles in vertebrate development. It serves as a source of midline signals that pattern surrounding tissues and as a major skeletal element of the developing embryo.
Are frogs chordates?
Next, frogs are chordates. The characteristic of chordates are notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, an endostyle, and a post-anal tail, for some part of their life. Other chordates include fish, snakes, and us. After that, they are amphibians.
What is the meaning of non chordates?
Non-chordates are animals without a notochord – the rod-like elastic structure that supports the body. This phylum consists of a small group of worm-like, marine species with an organ-system level of organization.
