2020 Phase-2 Animal KingdomChordate characteristics and subphylum Vertebrata Medium Question 40 of 123 in Animal Kingdom

All vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates, why?

A All chordates possess notochord throughout their life.
B Notochord is replaced by vertebral column in adult of some chordates
C Ventral hollow nerve cord remains throughout life in some chordates.
D All chordates possess vertebral column.

The answer is B.

Solution

In vertebrates (a subphylum of chordates), the embryonic notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult stage — a feature not present in other chordates (Urochordata, Cephalochordata), which is why all vertebrates are chordates, but not all chordates are vertebrates.

Concept Chordate characteristics and subphylum Vertebrata

Animal Kingdom in past papers

123 questions from this chapter have appeared across 27 exam years.