Chordata - meaning, Characteristics and Examples

Chordata Meaning 

The word chordata is given by "Bolfour" there are three main important characters of chordates are as follow:

1. Presence of notochord 
2. Presence of nervechord
3. Presence of pharyngeal Gill's, Slits 

Chordata characterstics 

Presence of Notochord 

In all the chordates there present a long rod like structure specially on the dorsal surface of body. In some animal it present whole of the life but in other animal it become several small pieces called vertebra and develop into vertebral column.

Presence of Nervechord 

On the upper surface of Notochord there present a thin but long structure called Nervechord. In anterior part it become swollen and farm brain. The brain is covered by brain box are cranium this Nervechord control all the activity of body.

Presence of pharyngeal Gill's Slits

In all the animal of phylum chordates there present pharyngeal Gill's Slits in the body. It present just near the anterior part and in some animal it develop in only embryonal stage. The main function of this Gill's Slits help in respiration.

Source wikipedia

Accept all the three characters some following character are also find.

Ventral Heart 

In chordates the heart present anterior part of ventral surface of body but in Non-Chordates the hearts present dorsal surface of body.

Circulatory system

In chordates the circulatory system is closed type means the blood present in blood vessels and the blood does not contact with any organ of body. In Non-Chordates the blood vessels absent and present large blood sinus.

So, the circulatory system is open type.

Portal system

In all the chordata the portal system well develop it may be two type. Hepatic portal system and renal portal system in some part of body the blood vessels does not directly open into posterior vena cava but open into any organ so farm portal system. This portal system absent in Non-Chordates.

Tail vertebra 

In all the chordates the posterior part of body present a tail vertebra later develop into a long tail, but absent in animal of Non-Chordates.

Chordata Examples 

Source wikipedia

Chordata examples are as follows ;

1. Pices
2. Amphibia
3. Reptilia
4. Aves
5. Mammalia

Frequently asked questions

Q-1.What are the 5 characteristics of chordates?

Ans- The 5 main characterstics of chordates are as follows;

• Pharyngeal Gill's Slits
• Endostyle
• Notochord
• Dorsal Hollow Nerve cord
• Postanal Tail

Q-2.Why are humans chordates?

Ans- In humans spinal cord is present, spinal cord is the modified form of Notochord this makes a humans chordates.