Summary
Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits and post-anal tail at some stage of life.
In depth
Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits and post-anal tail. Subphyla: Urochordata (tunicates), Cephalochordata (lancelets) and Vertebrata. In humans, the notochord becomes parts of intervertebral discs.
Chordates share four traits at some point. Vertebrates add a backbone and a head with brain. Tunicates are closest relatives of vertebrates.
Remember: the notochord is replaced by vertebrae in most vertebrates.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chordate Characteristics?
Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits and post-anal tail at some stage of life.
Which area of biology covers Chordate Characteristics, and how advanced is it?
Chordate Characteristics is one of the 53 topics in Zoology & Animal Diversity. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Vertebrates and Invertebrates, Protostomes and Deuterostomes, Germ Layers.
Can you give an example of Chordate Characteristics?
Tunicate larvae show all four features, then lose most as adults.
What should I learn before Chordate Characteristics?
Work through the Beginner topics in Zoology & Animal Diversity first, such as Animal Kingdom, Vertebrates and Invertebrates, Sponges, then return to Chordate Characteristics. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Chordate Characteristics?
The closest topics to Chordate Characteristics are Vertebrates and Invertebrates, Protostomes and Deuterostomes, Germ Layers, Birds. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Chordate Characteristics?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Chordate Characteristics. To practise the whole of Zoology & Animal Diversity, use the Zoology & Animal Diversity quiz.
How is Chordate Characteristics different from Vertebrates and Invertebrates?
Chordate Characteristics: Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits and post-anal tail at some stage of life. Vertebrates and Invertebrates: Vertebrates have a backbone; invertebrates, which are over 95 percent of animals, do not. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Chordate Characteristics step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Vertebrates and Invertebrates and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Zoology & Animal Diversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.