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Objectives:
Differentiate between protostome and deuterostome characteristics.
Identify traits of echinoderms.
Differentiate between the different Chordate subphyla.
Perform a Sea Star dissection.
The names protostome and deuterostome derive from the differing fate of the initial opening of the
primitive digestive tract (the archenteron) in an embryo. As illustrated in the following picture, in
protostomes, this initial opening develops into the mouth, and an opening that develops later
becomes the anus. In deuterostomes, it develops into the anus, and an opening that develops later
becomes the mouth.
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Figure 2 (Images from the University of Tennessee at Martin Biology pages)
Determinate cleavage is characteristic of protostomes. After the initial cell division the fate of the
resulting daughter cells is determined -- these cells can only develop into specific tissues, not the
whole organisms. Indeterminate cleavage is characteristics of deuterostomes. After the initial cell
division the fate of the resulting daughter cells is not determined -- each has the potential to develop
into an entire organism. Sometimes this occurs; resulting individuals are genetically identical (in
humans, they are called identical twins).
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Figure 3 Protostome and deuterostome cleavage differs in other ways
too.
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Figure 4 (Images from the University of Tennessee at Martin Biology pages)
Coelom Development:
A coelom is a body cavity completely surrounded by mesoderm. The coelom can be used as a
hydrostatic skeleton, i.e., for support. It provides an avenue for release of, for example, gametes and
excretory waste. It also provides a place for internal organ placement.
The coelom can develop via two pathways: In protostomes: blocks of mesoderm hollow out to form
the coelom. Deuterostomes; pockets of mesoderm pinch off to form the coelom.
Tissues: Three distinct tissue layers in embryo, leading to multiple tissue types in
adult.
Symmetry: Bilateral in the larva, but adults are more or less radially symmetrical
(pentaradial, since they have five arms).
Body cavity: Coelom
Proto/deutero: Deuterostome
Digestive tract: Complete digestive tract (mouth at one end andanus at the other).
Other features: Body not clearly segmented. Calcareous endoskeleton. Hydrostatic
skeleton (water vascular system). Water vascular system. Planktonic
larvae.
You might not guess it from looking, but the echinoderms are probably our closest relatives
outside our own phylum.
Endoskeleton: Much like our own skeleton, the echinoderm skeleton consists of
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numerous calcified structures joined by more flexible tissues.
Water-vascular system: A system of water-filled tubes running throughout the animals
body, the water-vascular system functions as an elaborate and
flexible hydrostatic skeleton. (Echinoderms therefore have two
skeletons: the hard plates of the endoskeleton and the flexible
hydrostatic skeleton.) The water-vascular system includes tube
feet, which are used by sea stars and other echinoderms to walk
and to grab prey items.
Water vascular system - system unique to this phylum. Functions in movement, support,
respiration, digestion.
Decentralized nervous system.
Rapid regeneration.
Secondary radial symmetry -
Larvae are bilaterally symmetrical. Adults are radially symmetrical.
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A tube foot, an extension of the water
vascular system of a starfish. The tube feet
act like little suction cups which enable to
starfish to grasp onto the sediment
for movement or to break into bivalves
for food. Note that since this is not a
muscular system, they will not tire.
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Phylum Chordata:
This is your phylum. The phylum Chordata includes humans and other vertebrates
Examples: Sea squirts, lancelets, vertebrates
Notochord
Pharyngeal Gill Slits
Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord
Post Anal Tail
Chordate Characteristics
Tissues: Three well-defined tissue layers in embryo.
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Non- Vertebrate Chordates
Vertebrates
The vertebrates (phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata) include fish, amphibians, reptiles
(including birds) and mammals. All these animals have the basic characteristics of chordates, with
some added twists:
The anterior region of the dorsal hollow nerve cord expands to become a brain and is encased
within a skeletal cranium.
Mesodermal blocks develop not only myotomes, but a segmented vertebral column that
protects the posterior region of the dorsal nerve cord (spinal cord) and replaces the notochord.
The cranium and vertebral column comprise the axial skeleton of vertebrates allowing an
elaborate central nervous system and powerful muscle action with a flexible body.
The development of a brain has further spurred the development of more sophisticated
cephalic sensory organs, especially eyes, nostrils and ears.
To support their enhanced homeostasis, vertebrates also have a closed circulatory system with
distinctive types of heart and kidneys, and a greater suite of endocrine organs.
The notochord, one of the unique defining characteristics of chordates, is a semi-stiff rod of
connecting tissue that forms in the embryo and serves to guide the development of the vertebral
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column (backbone) of vertebrates, along with other structures. In your own body, the notochord has
mostly disappeared; the only remnants are the cartilaginous disks between your vertebrae.
Subphylum Vertebrata
Bone - reduction of notochord (vertebral disks)
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Class Osteichthyes - bony fish (not monophyletic)
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Class Reptilia - reptiles (not monophyletic)
Examples: lizards, snakes, gators
First truly terrestrial animals
Amniotic egg
Scales (lungs now sole respiratory organ)
Modifications of pectoral and pelvic girdles to
facilitate movement on land
Figure 20: Reptile
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Lab Exercise:
Observe the preserved specimens for this lab.
Starfish arm-Note the coelom, tube feet and radial canal (parts of the water vascular system), pyloric
ceca (digestive glands), and pedicellaria (pincers on the outer surface of the body).
Starfish development
Starfish, ray
Sources: http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/labs/animaldiversity.htm
http://facultyfiles.deanza.edu/gems/heyerbruce/6AManual15S.pdf
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