chordate etymology

Etymology:

The term "chordate" comes from the Greek word "chorda," meaning "cord" or "string."

Meaning:

Chordates are a phylum of animals that possess a notochord, a flexible, rod-like structure that runs along the dorsal side of the body. The notochord is a defining characteristic of chordates and is present at some stage in their development.

Origin:

The concept of chordates as a phylum was first proposed in 1874 by the English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley. Huxley recognized the importance of the notochord as a defining feature of these animals and placed them in a new phylum called "Chorda."

Characteristics:

Chordates are characterized by the following features:

• Notochord: A flexible rod-like structure that supports the body and protects the nerve cord.
• Dorsal, hollow nerve cord: A tube of nerve tissue that runs along the dorsal side of the body.
• Pharyngeal slits: Slits in the pharynx that are used for feeding and respiration.
• Post-anal tail: A tail that extends beyond the anus.

Chordates are further divided into three subphyla:

• Cephalochordata: Lancetfish, which are small, fish-shaped animals with a notochord that extends the length of their body.
• Urochordata: Sea squirts and tunicates, which are mostly sessile animals with a notochord present only in their larval stage.
• Vertebrata: Vertebrates, which have a notochord that is replaced by a bony backbone or vertebrae during development.

Significance:

The notochord is a crucial feature that distinguishes chordates from other animal phyla. It provides structural support and plays a role in the development of the nervous system. The presence of a notochord is considered a fundamental evolutionary advancement that has allowed chordates to evolve into complex and diverse forms.

chordate relate terms

• Chordata

  Etymology Chordata is derived from Ancient Greek χορδή khorde meaning stri

• Chordata

  Etymology Chordata is derived from Ancient Greek χορδή khorde meaning stri

• chordate

  Etymology The term chordate comes from the Greek word chorda meaning cord or str

• chord

  Etymology and Meaning The word chord derives from the Middle English word cords or c

• chorion

  Etymology The word chorion comes from the Greek word chorion which means skin or

• cord

  Etymology The word cord has its roots in the Proto Indo European PIE word kordh m

• cordon

  Etymology Old French cordon cordun Late Latin cordo From Vulgar Latin chorda from Gre

• harpsichord

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• haruspex

  Etymology The word haruspex derives from two Latin roots haruspic or haruspic

• hernia

  Etymology Origin Greek Root hernia hernia Meaning rupture Meaning A hernia

• notochord

  Etymology and Meaning The term notochord is derived from the Greek words Notos mea

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• creature

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• fauna

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• curtain

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• wine

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