Chordates
What is a chordate?
A chordate is an animal that has a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a tail at some point in its life.
What are the two main groups of fish?
Cartilaginous fish and bony fish.
What are examples of marine reptiles?
Sea turtles, sea snakes, and marine iguanas.
What makes seabirds adapted to ocean life?
Webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and salt glands.
What are the main characteristics of marine mammals?
They are warm-blooded, breathe air, have lungs, and nurse their young.
What is the purpose of a notochord?
The notochord provides support for the body.
What is an example of a cartilaginous fish?
Sharks and rays.
Why must marine reptiles come to the surface?
They breathe air with lungs.
What is the purpose of salt glands in seabirds?
They remove excess salt from seawater.
What is an example of a cetacean?
Whales and dolphins.
What are the three main groups of chordates?
Fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals are major vertebrate chordates.
How do fish breathe underwater?
They use gills to extract oxygen from water.
What covers the bodies of reptiles?
Scales.
What is an example of a seabird?
Gulls.
Why do marine mammals have blubber?
For insulation and energy storage.
Why are humans considered chordates?
Humans have a notochord and dorsal nerve cord during early development.
What helps fish move through water easily?
Their streamlined body shape.
Are sea turtles endothermic or ectothermic?
Ectothermic (cold-blooded).
Why are many seabirds excellent swimmers and divers?
They have streamlined bodies and strong wings or feet that help them move through water efficiently.
What are pinnipeds?
Marine mammals with flippers, such as seals and sea lions.
What are pharyngeal slits used for in fish?
They develop into gills used for breathing.
What is the function of the swim bladder in bony fish?
It helps control buoyancy.
Why do sea turtles return to beaches?
To lay their eggs.
How do seabirds help marine ecosystems?
They are predators and help control populations of marine organisms.
Why do whales need to surface regularly?
To breathe air through their blowholes.