Name: The Relationship Between Classification and Evolution
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 8 min 21 s
Description: Why are some organisms classified as lower and some as higher in the classification hierarchy? How do we find out which organism came earlier into existence?

Question

Explain how animals in vertebrata are classified into further subgroups.

Accepted Answer

Vertebrates are classified into subgroups based on the body structures and their functions. For example, fishes have a two-chambered heart; amphibians have a three-chambered heart while birds and mammals have the four-chambered heart to keep the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate.

The vertebrates are divided into 6 subgroups -

Cyclostomata which are jawless organisms with suctorial mouth and a slimy body.

The rest 5 classes bearing jaws are - Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia.

The following characteristic features are considered for classifying vertebrates into the further subgroups:

Characteristics Pisces Amphibia Reptilia Aves Mammalia

Skin
The skin in fishes is covered with scales. The amphibians have moist glandular skin. The skin in reptiles is covered with scales. The body in Aves is covered with feathers. The body in mammals is covered with the hair.

Characteristics Pisces Amphibia Reptilia Aves Mammalia

Heart
The Pisces has a two-chambered or venous heart. The amphibians have a three-chambered heart except for the crocodile. The reptiles have a three-chambered heart. The aves have a four-chambered heart. The mammals have a four-chambered heart.

Characteristics Pisces Amphibia Reptilia Aves Mammalia

Respiration
Breathing in fishes takes place through gills. Breathing in amphibians takes place through gills (larva), lungs, and skin. Breathing in reptiles takes place through the lungs. Breathing in aves takes place through the lungs. Breathing in mammals takes place through the lungs.

Explain how animals in vertebrata are classified into further subgroups.

Important Questions on Diversity in Living Organisms

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