Transcript Subphylum Vertebrata

Subphylum Vertebrata
I – STRUCTURAL
CHARACTERITICS
• A. vertebral column or backbone of bone or
cartilage tissue. It is composed of vertebrae
which replaces the notochord and protects &
encloses the spinal cord. The skull encloses the
brain.
B. Skeletal Structure: ( internal = endoskeleton)
Consists of…
• 1) the axial skeleton skull and backbone
(Green in diagram)
• 2) the appendicular skeleton girdles and limbs
a) pectoral girdle which connects the arms or
forelegs to axial skeleton
b) pelvic girdle which connects the legs or hind legs
to the axial skeleton
violet in diagram
human infant
C. Specialized organ systems are present
II – BEHAVIORAL
CHARACTERISTICS
• A. inborn
1) innate – inherited- instincts example: Self preservation
– Flight or Fight response (adrenaline---blood sugar
increase, cardio-respiratory rate increase)
2) reflexes – respond to stimuli –automatic
B. Learned behavior – important for animals in
changing and challenging environments. (example
– hunting skills)
• 1) usually taught by adults
• 2) can be the result of conditioning
(Pavlov, stimulus-response. Skinner –
operant conditioning: maze with food or
shocks)
C. Ability to communicatewarning calls for danger etc.
D. Intelligence (Various levels seen)
• Humans - higher-order thinking,
reasoning, abstractions, problem-solving,
judgment, symbol communication, speech,
writing.