What Makes Vertebrates Unique? Anatomy, Adaptations & Evolution
Vertebrate, which is also called the Craniates, is the predominant subphylum of the phylum Chordata. These species have a backbone through which they derived their names. The vertebrate system has two main divisions- the central nervous vertebrate system consisting of the spinal cord and brain. In humans, the peripheral nervous system consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Vertebrates in animals are characterized by a muscular system primarily consisting of paired masses and a central nervous system enclosed under the backbone. Similarly, the vertebrate brain is connected to vital parts of the spinal system.
Vertebrate Nervous System
It is vital to learn about the vertebrate nervous system which is quite complex in nature. In animals, too, the vertebrate system is a complex process. The subphylum is widely known in the animal group. There are different members in this group including Amphibian, Reptilian, Aves, Mammalian, and others. The anatomic structure like the nervous system in the vertebrate is described according to their position. In animals, the upper back area is called the Dorsal, and the lower back is called the ventral. Similarly, terms like cephalic, cranial, anterior, and rostral refer to the end of the head of the body posture.
In humans, since they stand erect, the structure is quite complicated. In humans, the dorsal is equal to the posterior, and the ventral is similar to the anterior. Similarly, all objects located near the middle of the body are called medial and those which are far located are called the lateral. Proximal is the structure nearest to the central bulk of the structure.
Neurons often gather into the localized masses. At the peripheral nervous system, these accumulations are called the Ganglia in the central nervous system and are called the Nuclei. Different or motor nerve fibres carry away from the central nervous system.
In the central nervous system, the nerve fibres are well organized called Tracts. The ascending tracts carry impulses along with the spinal cord connected to the brain. These tracts are often according to their origin and termination.
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Primitive Condition
The vertebrate system in the body constitutes an advanced subdivision of the phylum Chordata. Every Chordate in their life carries a rodlike bar called the Notochord which runs at the length of the body. In the lower chordates, it lacks a vertebral column, which illustrates the primitive features of the chordate nervous system. In animals, the nerve cord is in a uniform look appearing dorsally placed tube with a hollow cavity. In amphioxus, the lower vertebrates like the lampreys, the sensory fibres, and motor fibres leave the cord in ventral roots and dorsal. The dorsal and ventral roots have separate nerves arising at alternate positions. In the fish nervous system, there is still an alternation of dorsal and ventral roots.
In higher vertebrate locations, there are two roots that unite in a single spinal nerve, which leaves the cord lying on the same line. When fins, legs, arms, and wings develop from different myotomes, nerves continue supplying original segments.
As a part of the comparative anatomy of brain in vertebrates, they are developed as the part of nerve cells located as the cephalic end of the nerve cord. In the initial stage, the diffuse collection of all nerve cells is regulated by the reflex activity of the spinal motor neurons. These cells are compared with the reticular formation and occupy the brainstem with higher vertebrates. In animals, like fish, the brainstem is the oldest portion of the brain. The fish nervous system is quite an interesting part to read and understand.
Encephalization
During the evolution of vertebrates, all the sensory systems in the body got connected with different parts of the brain. This includes the olfactory organs with forebrain, the eye with the midbrain, ear, and related to organs having hindbrain. These three sections are further developed through dorsal outgrowths which result in the formation of gray matter. During the formation of a three-part brainstem, it was then transformed in the form of the brain in five different regions- Metencephalon, Myelencephalon, Diencephalon, and Telencephalon. When we move to the tracing of the development of brain parts located in the different vertebrate classes, some of the general features are quite apparent.
It is vital to know that there is a correlation between certain brain part size and their importance. Some of the neural structures carry considerable size and have greater importance in animals from a primitive age. When animals progressed from primitive to recent, there is a shift in function from the lower brainstem.
Dominance of Cerebrum
When we ascend to the vertebrate scale, the cerebral hemispheres end up being an important association in the centres. In the cerebral hemisphere, the development begins in pairing outgrowth in the forebrain, serving as the olfactory reception. During this time, the hemisphere, also referred to as the paleopallium, is an olfactory lobe serving as the part of impulses. In amphibians, hemispheres have three different parts- the archipallium, basal nuclei, and paleopallium. All these three parts receive olfactory stimuli discharging impulses to the brain.
Archipallium works as the correlation and the forerunner of the mammalian hippocampus
Basal Nuclei are equal to the corpse striatum function as the associated with the thalamus.
Reptiles are in the advanced structure; the neopallium is placed between paleopallium and archipallium.
FAQs on Vertebrate System: Structure, Functions & Key Concepts
1. What defines an animal as part of the vertebrate system?
An animal is classified as a vertebrate if it possesses a vertebral column, or backbone, which is a key characteristic of the subphylum Vertebrata. This internal skeleton provides structural support, protects the spinal cord, and serves as an attachment point for muscles. All vertebrates also have a cranium (skull) that encases the brain and belong to the Phylum Chordata, as they exhibit a notochord at some stage of their life cycle.
2. What are the five major classes of vertebrates and their key characteristics?
The five major classes of vertebrates are distinguished by their unique adaptations and features:
- Pisces (Fishes): These are aquatic vertebrates that breathe through gills and have fins for locomotion. Examples include sharks and tuna.
- Amphibia (Amphibians): They can live both in water and on land. They typically have smooth, moist skin and undergo metamorphosis from a larval stage. Examples include frogs and salamanders.
- Reptilia (Reptiles): These are cold-blooded vertebrates with scaly skin that lay amniotic eggs on land. Examples include snakes, lizards, and crocodiles.
- Aves (Birds): These are warm-blooded vertebrates characterised by feathers, beaks, and forelimbs modified into wings. Most are adapted for flight. Examples include eagles and sparrows.
- Mammalia (Mammals): They are warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair or fur and nourish their young with milk produced by mammary glands. Examples include humans, lions, and whales.
3. What are the primary functions of the vertebral column in vertebrates?
The vertebral column, or backbone, serves several critical functions essential for vertebrate life. Its primary roles include: protecting the delicate spinal cord from injury, providing a strong yet flexible central axis for the body to maintain posture, and serving as a main point of attachment for muscles and ribs, which facilitates movement and protects internal organs.
4. How do vertebrates fundamentally differ from invertebrates?
The most fundamental difference between vertebrates and invertebrates is the presence or absence of a backbone. Vertebrates have an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) with a vertebral column, while invertebrates lack this feature. Other key differences include that vertebrates generally have a more complex and centralised nervous system, a closed circulatory system, and are typically larger in size compared to the vast and diverse group of invertebrates.
5. Why are all vertebrates considered chordates, but not all chordates are vertebrates?
This is because Vertebrata is a subphylum within the Phylum Chordata. All chordates share key features at some point in their life, including a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. Vertebrates are a specific group of chordates where the notochord develops into a bony or cartilaginous vertebral column. However, there are other chordates, like tunicates (Urochordata) and lancelets (Cephalochordata), that possess a notochord but never develop a true backbone, which is why they are not classified as vertebrates.
6. What are the most significant evolutionary advancements seen across the vertebrate classes?
Key evolutionary advancements highlight the adaptation of vertebrates from aquatic to terrestrial life. Significant developments include the evolution of jaws in fish for active predation, the development of limbs in amphibians to move onto land, the evolution of the amniotic egg in reptiles, which allowed reproduction away from water, and the development of endothermy (warm-bloodedness) in birds and mammals, enabling them to thrive in diverse climates.
7. What is the importance of a cranium (skull) in the vertebrate system?
The cranium, or skull, is a defining feature of vertebrates and holds immense importance. Its primary function is to enclose and protect the brain, which is the control centre of the highly developed nervous system. Additionally, it provides a structural framework for key sensory organs, such as the eyes, ears, and nose, which are crucial for the active and often predatory lifestyle of vertebrates.
