Difference Between Chordates and Protochordates

The main difference between chordates and protochordates is that the chordates are the animals that have distinct characteristics such as a notochord, dorsal nerve chord, pharyngeal slits, and a muscular tail whereas the protochordates are an informal group of invertebrates within chordates.

1. What is the main difference between Protochordates and vertebrates?
2. Are Protochordates chordates?
3. Do humans have notochord?
4. What are Protochordates give two examples?
5. Why Urochordata and Cephalochordata are called Protochordata?
6. What are Protochordates with example?
7. How do chordates reproduce?
8. Do humans have an Endostyle?
9. What happens to notochord in humans?
10. What is Somite?

What is the main difference between Protochordates and vertebrates?

Vertebrates are animals with backbone and spinal cord whereas photochordates are the informal name given to invertebrates that have notochord, dorsal nerve chord and pharyngeal slits. Backbone is a part of the internal skeleton formed in the vertebrates whereas photochordates do not have a backbone.

Are Protochordates chordates?

Protochordates represent the invertebrate chordates that belong to the two subphyla of chordates called Urochordata (tunicates) and Cephalochordata (lancelets). Cephalochordates evolved from urochordates, who in turn, developed into vertebrates.

Do humans have notochord?

Notochords are only found in the phylum chordata, a group of animals that includes humans. ... In certain chordates, like the lamprey and the sturgeon, the notochord remains there for life. In vertebrates, such as humans, a more complex backbone appears with only portions of the notochord remaining.

What are Protochordates give two examples?

Examples of protochordates are Balanoglossus, Saccoglossus, Herdmania, Amphioxus, Doliolum, Salpa etc.

Why Urochordata and Cephalochordata are called Protochordata?

Phylum chordata of animal kingdom is divided into 2 sub-groups protochordata/acraniata(without brain box or cranium) and euchordata/craniata( cranium is present). Urochordata and cephalochordata which are acraniates are considered as primitive and often referred to as protochordates or non-vertebrate chordates.

What are Protochordates with example?

The pharynx in protochordata is perforated by gill slits to facilitate water circulation for respiration. The heart of these organisms is ventral with a closed circulatory system. The gut in protochordata is ventral to the nerve cord. Examples of protochordata include Amphioxus, Salpa, Doliolum, and Saccoglossus.

How do chordates reproduce?

The chordate life cycle begins with fertilization (the union of sperm and egg). In its primitive form, fertilization occurs externally, in the water. Asexual reproduction takes place in tunicates and in some vertebrates (females of some fish and lizards can reproduce without fertilization).

Do humans have an Endostyle?

Chordate features. In chordates, four common features appear at some point during development: a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. ... Humans are not chordates because humans do not have a tail.

What happens to notochord in humans?

In humans, the notochord forms in week 3, is eventually lost from vertebral regions and contributes the entire nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc during the formation of the vertebral column.

What is Somite?

Somite, in embryology, one of a longitudinal series of blocklike segments into which the mesoderm, the middle layer of tissue, on either side of the embryonic spine becomes divided. Collectively, the somites constitute the vertebral plate.