Front limbs attach to the pectoral girdle and hind limbs attach to the pelvic girdle.
Of the 7 classes of vertebrates, three are fish.
See where fish fit into Earth's history.
1 - Class Agnatha
the jaw-less fish (lampreys and hagfish)
Class characteristics:

2 - Class Chondrichthyes 
the cartilage fish (sharks, rays, and skates)
Class characteristics:

Cartilage skeleton
Placoid Scales 
Rows of Teeth
These marine fish maintain homeostasis between salt and water in the body through a process called osmoregulation.
Day 1 Assignment - Chordates, Vertebrates & Fish
This assignment must be turned in by the beginning of class tomorrow to receive credit.
Scoring criteria
- Right click on this
(Vertebrate: fish & amphibians) and "save target as" to you desktop. After video has downloaded watch video both segments and complete the short quizzes at the end of each segment. Write your answer here.
- List and describe the characteristics of the phylum Chordata?
- Draw a lancelate and label its parts. How are these animals related to
humans?
- Describe a tunicate or draw picture. Why is this organism included
under the chordata phylum when it does not seem to have a notochord?
- Are
there any animals in the phylum chordata that are invertebrates? If yes give its
common name..
- What do all members of the Subphylum Vertebrata have in common?
- You remember that hind limbs attach to the pelvic girdle. What two families of snakes
have a pelvic girdle?
- The human backbone
is divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx vertebrae. How many of each of these are present?
- Name one species of lamprey that has been found in Arizona.
- Compare and contrast the characteristics for the classes agnatha and
chondrichthyes.
Honors biology: complete this question along with the
section above.
- Pick one representative animal from the class chondrichthyes, supply a
picture and give a detailed description of the animals habitat, life
cycle/reproduction, feeding habits/method, morphology, and if any,
interactions with humans.
Day 2
 |
What native Arizon fish does not have a body covered with scales? |
3 - Class Osteichthyes - the bony fish (95% of all fish are members of this class)
Class characteristics:
Bony skeleton
Integument (skin)
Scales
Day 2 Computer Assignment - Chordates, Vertebrates & Fish
This assignment must be completed by the beginning of class tomorrow to receive credit.
Scoring criteria
- Use PowerPoint to make the following slide:
- Paste this fish diagram
onto a slide.
- Add text to label
all external part of the fish.
- Add small text to describe the motion
produced by each type of fin.
- Make another slide with the following
- Paste this Fish diagram
onto a slide.
- Add text to label all the internal parts
- Provide a short description of each part.
- Make sure to type your name, date, class period and assignment title on your
slides
(if you are working at home and do not have power point this can be done
in word)
Honors section: complete both 1, 2 and 3
- Paste this fish picture
onto a new PowerPoint slide.
- The following fish are represented on the picture:
- channel catfish
- orangethroat darter
- tadpole madtom
- quillback
- blackspotted topminnow
- bluegill
- stickelback
- black redhorse
- blackside darter
- spotfin shiner
- Use this fish key
to identify the fish and place the correct name below each fish on your slide.
Day 3
Information and today's assignment for bony fish.
Day 4
 |
How are the toes of amphibians and reptiles different? |
Marine Biologist
|
Other classes of vertebrates:
Each of these class groups will be covered in the weeks to come. Links to the concept pages are provided below for you to gather information to answer these general questions about each class.
|
Class Amphibia
Class Reptilia
Class Aves
Class Mammalia
Day 4 Assignment - Chordates, Vertebrates & Fish
This assignment must be turned in by the end of class tomorrow to receive credit.
Scoring criteria
- Use the links above to write one paragraph comparing the hearts of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals (diagrams help).
- Compare the characteristics of each of these classes: Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia. What
characteristics do they have in common? What characteristics are unique to each?
- Use these vertebrate keys
to determine if the following statements are true or false.
- Bony fish in the Order Pleuronectiformes have an asymmetrical skull.
- Bony fish in the Order Syngnathiforme have a body covered with bony plates.
- Bony fish in the Order Gadiformes have no chin barbles.
- Amphibians in the Order Anura have tails as adults.
- Amphibians in the Suborder Salamandroidea have teeth in the roof of their mouth.
- Birds in the Order Ciconiiformes have adaptations for wading.
- Reptiles in the Suborder Lacertilia have a leathery shell.
- Turtles in the Family Testudinidae have plastron with 12 shields.
- Mammals in the Order Edentata have forelimbs modified into flippers.
- Right click on this
(life science: reptiles) and "save target as" to you desktop. After video has downloaded watch video and answer the questions below.
- What does scale skin do for a reptile?
- How do snakes use scales?
- What has happened to scales in turtles?
- What does cold blooded animal mean?
- What are the largest predatory lizards?
- How many species of snakes exist in the world today?
- Explain how snakes use their tongues?
- Why do lizards have a hard time running for long periods of time?
- How long ago were the reptiles body plan established?
- Right click on this
(life science: birds) and "save target as" to you desktop. After video has downloaded
watch video and answer the following questions
- How have birds adapted to make flight easier?
- How many species of birds contain feathers?
- Why do some birds migrate at certain times of the year?
- How much do hummingbirds eat a day?
- What percent of Golden Eagle young survive?
- Which type of bird has the best hearing?
- What is the most colorful parrot?
- What type of bird has the best eyesight?
- How do vultures obtain food?
Honors biology: Complete the following in place of
number 5 above.
- Choose one species of bird to highlight. Give the birds common and
scientific name, how it has adapted to its environment, its habitat, physical
characteristics and morphology, reproduction/life cycle, food sources, and any
interesting facts. Include a picture of your bird.
Research Links:
Search
- The Animal Diversity Web
- Species Identification - Audubon Field Guides Online
- Vertebrate Animals Hotlist - The Franklin Institute
- Zoology Resource Guide - BIOSIS
- Animal Links - From Wildlife Web
- Shark Facts - Vancouver Aquarium
- Fish Anatomy
- Fish of
- Search - BIODIDAC, digital biology resources
- Fish - Nova
The only fish in Arizona with a cartilage skeleton is the lamprey.
Catfish do not have a body covered with scales.
The toes of reptiles have claws, while the toes of amphibians do not.