Vertebrates

VERTEBRATES
__**EXAMPLES**__:
 * Sharks


 * Snakes

__**HABITAT**:__
 * Vertebrates can live on land or in water.
 * Many species are vertebrates and therefore they occupy many habitats. Fish and birds are both classified as vertebrates although one lives in the sea and one in a tree!

__**TYPE OF COELOM:**__
 * The Coelom in vertebrates contains a clear fluid called Coelom fluid and forms the outer covering of the alimentary canal.
 * The anterior and posterior **Coelomic cavity ** is partitioned by a transverse septum. The anterior part contains the heart and is therefore called the Pericardial cavity.
 * In reptiles, the Pericardial cavity lies ventral to the anterior Peritoneal cavity.
 * In crocodiles, birds and mammals the transverse section extends to the dorsal body wall to form a new partition behind the lungs.
 * The **Coelomic fluid ** cushions and offer protection to the visceral organs present in the **Coelomic cavity. **


 * __ENDOSKELETON or EXOSKELETON__:**
 * //Vertebrates // have rigid, jointed //endoskeletons // that are contained within the body of the animal.


 * __TYPE OF NERVOUS SYSTEM__:**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">The vertebrate nervous system is characterized by the centralization of the nerve tissue and by the presence of large amounts of nerve tissue, by the actions of which the typical vertebrate behavior patterns are controlled.

__**FEEDER**__:
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Because there are a variety of vertebrates, vertebrates feed on a variety of animals. These animals include mice, hamsters, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

__**SYMMETRY**__:
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">Vertebrates have bilateral symmetry.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">Bilatreal symmetry is when the right half is identical to the left half.

__**REPRODUCTION**__:
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Sexual reproduction is the most common form of reproduction among vertebrates.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Some vertebrates, such as the hamerhead shark, reproduce asexually.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Some can even do both. These animals are called parthenogenesis. This is rare and occurs in some species of fish and reptiles.

__**CIRCULATORY SYSTEM**__:
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">The vertebrate circulatory system includes a heart, the atrium, the ventricle, and arteries.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">The heart is a muscular pump that contracts to propel blood out to the body through arteries and blood vessels.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">The atrium is the upper chamber of the heart and is where the blood enters.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">The ventricle is located in the lower chamber.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">Contraction of the ventricle forces blood from the heart through an artery.

__**ENDOTHERMIC or EXOTHERMIC**__.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">Most vertebrates are endothermic but some are exothermic.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; margin-bottom: 0in;">The exothermic vertebrates are cold-blooded animals. Some examples include snakes and other reptiles.

__**SEGMENTATION**__:
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">As vertebrate embryos develop, they extend posteriorly. This allows the successive production of segments, which eventually gives rise to reiterated structures including the axial skeleton and its tissues.

__**WORKS CITED**__: "Vertebrate Nervous System." //The Worlds of David Darling//. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. [].

"Zoology : Coelom of Vertebrates." //Homework Help:Statistics, Accounting, Chemistry, Computer Science & Operations Management//. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. [].