Biology 11

Name:
Purpose:

Lower Chordata Lab

to compare and contrast the body plans of various lower chordates

Materials:
Microscope, Amphioxus and tunicate slides
Method:
1. Use the microscope to view and draw a diagram of Amphioxus and a tunicate
larva.
2. Label as many structures as you can in each drawing.
Results:

Analysis:
1. How are these 3 organisms similar and different?
Amphioxus
Tunicate
Have all 4 chordate
Have all 4 chordate
characteristics as an
characteristics as a
adult
larvae
Adult is motile
Adult is sessile but
larvae is highly motile
Has segmentation

Acorn Worm
Have only 3 cho
characteristics
a true notochor
Adult is motile
All marine

2. Why is Amphioxus called the classical chordate?

- Its the first organism to exhibit all 4 chordate characteristics as an adult.
3. How does a tunicate larva compare to an adult tunicate?
Larva
Adult
Motile
Sessile
Live 1-2 days
Live rest of life
Have a notochord
Dont have a notochord
Have a nerve cord
Dont have a nerve cord
Have pharyngeal gill slits
Dont have pharyngeal gill slits
Have muscular, post anal tail
Dont have muscular, post anal t

Very small

Bigger
reproduces

4. Why is the Acorn worm not considered an invertebrate worm?

- It has a dorsal nerve cord and gill slits.