Republic of the Philippines

Bulacan State University

City of Malolos, Bulacan
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

REVIEW QUESTION 2

NAME: Jerico B. Soriano Date: October 13, 2021 Score: ______

1. Explain the origin of the Phylum Chordata and identify its taxonomic classification. (10
pts)
Animals having a flexible rod supporting their dorsal or rear sides belong to the Chordata
phylum. The name of the phylum comes from the Greek root word chord, which means
"string." The majority of the species in the Chordata phylum are vertebrates, or creatures with
backbones (subphylum Vertebrata). Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are
examples of vertebrate chordates. A chordate is a mammal that is one of the most well-known
species. However, two groups of invertebrates also belong to this phylum. The only
invertebrate groupings in the phylum Chordata are tunicates (subphylum Urochordata) and
lancelets (subphylum Cephalochordata).

2. Determine the distinguishing characteristics of all its taxa. (15 pts)

First, we have Tunicates (subphylum Urochordata) are sac-like filter-feeding creatures.
Sessile tunicates make up the majority of tunicate species. They have the ability to live in big
colonies or as solitary individuals. In vast colonies, some species float freely as plankton with
jelly-like bodies. Lancelets (subphylum Cephalochordata) are arrow- or spear-shaped
invertebrates that live in shallow sea environments and are frequently partially submerged in
the silt. Only during their larval stage do tunicates have a notochord. The notochord supports
the larva's entire tail but only a portion of its body. Urochordata is the name given to the
subphylum as a result of this arrangement (Greek root words uro meaning tail and chord
meaning string). The tunicate larva is a free-swimming, bilaterally symmetrical animal that
resembles a tadpole or a lancelet. It swims by engaging muscles on either side of its
notochord to move its tail. The pharynx is reached through an entrance on the top of the body
known as the oral siphon. The atrial siphon, a second opening on top of the body, goes to the
atrium, which surrounds the pharynx. Pharyngeal gill slits are slits in the pharynx. The
tunicate circulates water down the oral siphon and down the pharynx, then into the atrium via
the pharyngeal slits and out the atrial siphon. A lengthy row of cells forms an endostyle on
the pharynx's ventral surface. On the other hand, Lancelets are small, sleek invertebrates that
rarely exceed five centimeters in length. They live largely on or on the sandy and muddy
bottoms of warm, shallow ocean waters, despite the fact that they can swim. Their outer body
surface is almost transparent, allowing observers to see their internal organs clearly.
Lancelets eat microscopic algae as well as little suspended pieces of decaying food. They
conceal in the sand or dirt during the day, exposing only their mouths to feed. They may
crawl out and swim around at night. In southeastern China, where they are gathered and sold
in huge quantities, lancelets constitute an important human food source. Lastly the
Vertebrata, also known as Craniata, have backbones, which is how they got their name.
Vertebrates also have a muscular system that is generally made up of bilaterally paired
masses, as well as a central nervous system that is partially encased within the backbone.
3. Compare and explain how the different taxa differ. (15 pts)

In some chordates the notochord is a major support structure. In fishes, amphibians, reptiles,
birds, and mammals, the notochord is present only in the embryo. Because bony, segmented
vertebrae replace it during later stages of development, these animals are assigned to the
subphylum Vertebrata. Tunicates and Lancelets are examples of invertebrate chordates
since they have a notochord, but it does not develop into a vertebral column.
 

4. What are the 5 fundamental features which are all common to all the taxa? Explain each
feature (10 pts)
a. The notochord (from the Greek root words noto meaning back and chord meaning
string) is a stiff but flexible rod of cells and connective tissue that gives the
phylum Chordata its name. The notochord is a major support structure in several
chordates. The notochord is only present in the embryo of fish, amphibians,
reptiles, birds, and mammals. These creatures are classified as Vertebrata because
bony, segmented vertebrae replace it throughout later stages of development.
Invertebrate chordates include tunicates and lancelets, which have a notochord
that does not develop into a vertebral column.
b. The pharynx, or area of the digestive tract directly behind the mouth, has
pharyngeal slits. These slits filter food from the water in some chordates, such as
tunicates. They are respiratory structures in other chordates, such as fish. In
humans, they only appear as a few indentations in the early embryo, not as open
slits. In a human embryo, these clefts are known as pharyngeal clefts.
c. The dorsal hollow nerve tube is located above the notochord and delivers nerve
tissue branches into muscles and other organs. The walls of the nerve tube thicken
as it expands, almost completely eliminating the central hollow space. In both
embryonic and mature phases, all chordates, including humans, have a dorsal
hollow nerve tube.
d. A post-anal tail is seen posterior to the anal orifice in all chordates. Our tails are
reduced to a little nub of bone (the tailbone) that does not protrude substantially
from the body in humans.
e. The endostyle is a ciliated mucus-producing tissue strip in the pharynx's floor.
Food particles caught in mucus are transported to the gut via the endostyle. In
vertebrates, the endostyle produces chemicals that are similar to thyroid hormones
and is analogous to the thyroid gland.