What are Three characteristics of the phylum chordata?

Answer 1

Animals of the phylum chordata include vertebrates and several closely related invertebrates.

All chordates have the following characteristics at some point in their lives :

1.notochord-cartilaginous rod running underneath, and supporting, the nerve cord. In vertebrates , it develops into the vertebral column.

2. Dorsal tubular nerve chord a bundle of nerve fibers which runs down the "back". It connects the brain with the lateral muscles and other organs.

3.Pharyngeal pouches-openings through which water is taken into the pharynx, or throat.

4.Endosytle-is a longitudinal ciliated groove on the ventral wall of the pharynx which produces mucus to gather food particles.

Answer 2

Phylum Chordata is the only phylum where all the members have a backbone.

However, there is more to it than that, especially given that there are two invertebrate chordate groups - Urochordata (tunicates) and Cephalachordata (lancelets) - whose backbone is not in the form of actual vertebrae.

Chordates (or members of the phylum Chordata), share the following characteristics:

• dorsal nerve cord which is a bundle of nerve fibres which runs down the back. It connects the brain with the lateral muscles and other organs.
• notochord which is a cartilaginous rod running underneath, and supporting, the nerve cord - in the case of vertebrates, a spine.
• post-anal tail - an extension of the body past the anal opening. (This feature is not always present in some adult Chordates such as frogs and humans.)
• Pharyngeal pouches - Chordates, at some stage of their life, have pharyngeal grooves and pouches that develop into other essential parts of their anatomy.

Answer 3

Animals in the phylum chordata have a notochord, dorsal nerve chord, a tail, and an endoskeleton. Some of the subphyla of the chordates are aves(birds), mammalia, amphibia, and reptilia.

Answer 4

They have notochords and a post anal tail.