Vertebrates

Vertebrates are animals which have a vertebral column. The vertebral

column is sometimes called the spinal column or just the spine and

consists of a chain of cylindrical bones (vertebrae) joined end to end.

Each vertebra carries an arch of bone on its dorsal (upper) surface.

This arch protects the spinal cord, which runs most of the length of the

vertebral column. The front end of the spinal cord is expanded to form

a brain which is enclosed and protected by the skull.

The skull carries a pair of jaws which, in most vertebrates, have rows

of teeth.

The five classes of vertebrates are fish, amphibia, reptiles, birds and

mammals. Table 1.2 summarizes the key features of these classes.

Vertebrate Fish Amphibia Reptiles Birds Mammals

Class
Examples herring, frog, toad, lizard, snake robin,pigeon mouse
perch, abo newt
sharks
Body covering scales moist skin dry skin, feathers, fur
with scales with scales
on legs
Movement fins also used four limbs, four legs two wings four ribs
for balance back feet are (apart from and two legs
often snakes)
webbed to
make
swimming
more
efficient
Reproduction produce jelly- produce jelly produce produce produce
covered eggs covered eggs eggs with a eggs with a live young
in water in water rubbery, hard shell;
waterproof laid on land
shell, laid on
land
Sense organs eyes, no ears; eyes; ears eyes; ears eyes; ears eyes;
lateral line ears with a
along budy pinna
for detecting (external
 vibrations flap)
water
Other details cold blooded, cold blooded, cold warm warm
gills for lungs and blooded, blooded, blooded,
breathing skin for lungs for lungs for lungs for
breathing breathing breathing breathing.
beak Females
have
mammary
glands to
produce
mik to feed
young, four
types of
teeth