Chordata
The Chordata phylum contains many of the prominent and familiar species, including humans. All Chordata animals have several characteristics in common that occur at some stage of their development. Each Chordata animal has pharyngeal slits, which are openings that join the inside of the throat to the outside of the neck. Similarly, their chief characteristic, is the notochord. The notochord, which the phylum's name is derived from, is a rod that supports the nerve cord. This nerve cord is also present in all species. A tail is also present in Chordata animals; however, in most species, these features leave the body with age. There are over 4,400 species in the Chordata phylum.
The fish is a very common member of the Chordata phylum. A fish's circulatory system is extremely simple. It consists of a heart, blood and blood vessels. Similarly, a fish has a closed circulatory system. Their heart consists of an atrium, a ventricle and a sinus venous. In fish, oxygen-deprived blood is transported through the veins to the sinus venosus, a large quadrangular cavity that is located right before the atrium on the venous side of a Chordata animal's heart. The gills in the fish act in an equivalent manner to human lungs; they execute the respiratory functions that fish undergo. The fish's blood facilitates the transport of oxygen and nutrients around their body. Additionally, it collects Carbon Dioxide. The Carbon Dioxide is further transported to the heart and subsequently to the gills, in order to be removed from the body.
Another member animal of the Chordata phylum is the snake. Snakes have a closed circulatory system, like all animals in the Chordata phylum. Similar to humans, snakes have a left and right atrium; however, they only have one large ventricle. In addition, they have arteries and veins. The blood they pump provides oxygen to the vital organs. Without the heart pumping the blood, the animal will die. Even though snakes are cold-blooded and require a set amount of sunlight a day to increase their body temperature, blood is not pumped freely throughout the snake's body.
Additionally, Birds have a very efficient circulatory system that allows them to run, swin and, most importantly, fly. The circulatory system of a bird is essential in providing oxygen, removing wastes, and maintaing the bird's body temperature. The circulatory system transports nutrients, oxygen and carbon dioxide, waste products, hormones and heat. Like the majority of mammals, birds have two ventricles and two atria, with complete separation or oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood. Birds tend to have larger hearts (relative to their mass). This is necessary to maintain the high metabolic demands of flight.
The fish is a very common member of the Chordata phylum. A fish's circulatory system is extremely simple. It consists of a heart, blood and blood vessels. Similarly, a fish has a closed circulatory system. Their heart consists of an atrium, a ventricle and a sinus venous. In fish, oxygen-deprived blood is transported through the veins to the sinus venosus, a large quadrangular cavity that is located right before the atrium on the venous side of a Chordata animal's heart. The gills in the fish act in an equivalent manner to human lungs; they execute the respiratory functions that fish undergo. The fish's blood facilitates the transport of oxygen and nutrients around their body. Additionally, it collects Carbon Dioxide. The Carbon Dioxide is further transported to the heart and subsequently to the gills, in order to be removed from the body.
Another member animal of the Chordata phylum is the snake. Snakes have a closed circulatory system, like all animals in the Chordata phylum. Similar to humans, snakes have a left and right atrium; however, they only have one large ventricle. In addition, they have arteries and veins. The blood they pump provides oxygen to the vital organs. Without the heart pumping the blood, the animal will die. Even though snakes are cold-blooded and require a set amount of sunlight a day to increase their body temperature, blood is not pumped freely throughout the snake's body.
Additionally, Birds have a very efficient circulatory system that allows them to run, swin and, most importantly, fly. The circulatory system of a bird is essential in providing oxygen, removing wastes, and maintaing the bird's body temperature. The circulatory system transports nutrients, oxygen and carbon dioxide, waste products, hormones and heat. Like the majority of mammals, birds have two ventricles and two atria, with complete separation or oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood. Birds tend to have larger hearts (relative to their mass). This is necessary to maintain the high metabolic demands of flight.