Chordates

Designed and presented by:

Eric Steckler
 Introduction
Chordata , phylum of animals having a notochord, or dorsal stiffening rod, as the chief
internal skeletal support at some stage of their development. Most chordates are
vertebrates (animals with backbones), but the phylum also includes some small marine
invertebrate animals. The four features unique to chordates and found in all of them at
least during early development are: the notochord, composed of gelatinous tissue and
bound by a tough membrane; a tubular nerve cord (or spinal cord), located above the
notochord; and gill slits leading into the pharynx, or anterior part of the digestive tract (the
throat, in higher vertebrates). All have a post anal tail, that is, an extension beyond the
anus of the notochord or backbone and of the body-wall musculature, containing no
internal organs. In addition, all have blood contained in vessels, and the tunicates and
vertebrates have a ventrally located heart.
 Different kinds of Chordates

Sea Stars (echinodermata)

Hagfish (myxini)

Humans (mammalia)

Frogs (amphibia)

Snakes (reptilia)
 Some basic Characteristics

Notochord / Spinal Chord

Dorsal

Pharyngeal Clefts

Post anal tail

All chordates possess these characteristics at one point in
their life or early developmental stages.
 Morphology
All chordates share four basic features.(as
stated before)
1)Notochord
2)Dorsal nerve cord
3)Pharyngeal slits
4)Post-anal tail
 continued....
− Notochord- a longitudinal, flexible rod located between the
digestive tube and the nerve cord. It is made up of large, fluid-
filled cells encased in fairly stiff, fibrous tissue. The notochord
provides skeletal support, and in most adults it is very useful for
muscle support used during swimming.
 ...

Dorsal nerve cord- develops from a plate of ectoderm
that rolls into a tube located dorsal to the notochord. This
cord is unique to chordates. Other phyla have a solid
nerve cord. Chordate's nerve cord develop into the brain
and central nervous system when they are still in the
embryo stage.
 ...

Pharyngeal slits/ clefts-These allow water entering
the mouth to exit the body without passing through the
entire digestive tract. In many vertebrates these slits and
the structures that support them have been modified for
gas exchange and are known as gill slits.
 ...(again)

Post anal tail- Chordates have a tail extending posterior
to the anus. In most species it is lost in embryonic
development. In many aquatic species it is used in
propulsion when swimming.
 The Brain During Development

The nervous system develops from embryonic tissue called the ectoderm. The first sign of
the developing nervous system is the neural plate that can be seen at about the 16th day of
development. Over the next few days, a "trench" is formed in the neural plate - this creates a
neural groove. By the 21st day of development, a neural tube is formed when the edges of
the neural groove meet. The rostral (front) part of the neural tubes goes on to develop into
the brain and the rest of the neural tube develops into the spinal cord. Neural crest cells
become the peripheral nervous system.

At the front end of the neural tube, three major brain areas are formed: the forebrain,
midbrain and hind brain. By the 7th week of development, these three areas divide again.
This process is called encephalization. (encep- phali- zation)
 Embryology

First Week.—During this period the ovum is in the uterine tube. Having been
fertilized in the upper part of the tube, it slowly passes down, undergoing
segmentation, and reaches the uterus.
 Embryology 2.

Third Week.—By the end of the third week the embryo is strongly curved, and the
primitive segments number about thirty. The primary divisions of the brain are visible, and the
optic and auditory vesicles are formed
 Embryology 3.

Seventh and Eighth Weeks.—The flexure of the head is gradually reduced

and the neck is somewhat lengthened. The upper lip is completed and the nose is
more prominent. The nostrils are directed forward and the palate is not completely
developed. The eyelids are present in the shape of folds above and below the eye, and
the different parts of the auricula are distinguishable.
 Embryology 4

Fifth Month. —It is during this month that the first movements of the fetus are
usually observed. The eruption of hair on the head commences, and the vernix
caseosa begins to be deposited. By the end of this month the total length of the
fetus, including the legs, is from 25 to 27 cm.
 Embryology 5

Ninth Month.—The lanugo has largely disappeared from the trunk. The umbilicus is
almost in the middle of the body and the testes are in the scrotum. At full time the fetus
weighs from six and one-half to eight pounds, and measures from head to heels about
50 cm.
 Quiz
Question 1. what is the name of the phylum?
Answer:
Chordate
 Quiz 2
Question 2. What do all Chordates have or have
had in order to be classified as part of the
phylum “chordata?”
Answer: They all have or have had the following:
1)Notochord
3)Dorsal nerve cord
4)Pharyngeal slits
5)Post-anal tail
 Quiz 3
Question 3. During which weeks do the eyelids
become present in normal embryonic
development of the human embryo?
Answer: Seventh and Eighth Weeks