BASICS OF BIOLOGY

Professor Vishal Trivedi

Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering,
IIT Guwahati, Assam, India
 PHYLUM CHORDATA

• These animals show the presence of cartilaginous notochord atleast in early

embryonic life.
• Presence of gill slits in the pharyngeal region.
• Presence of a hollow dorsal nerve cord running through the body length.
• Animals which have a notochord but do not have a vertebral column are called as
inverbrate chordates.
• These invertebrate chordata are link between non-chordates and vertebrates.
COMPARISON OF CHORDATES AND
NON-CHORDATES

Chordates Non-chordates
• Notochord Present • Notochord absent.
• Central Nervous system is dorsal, hollow • Central Nervous system is ventral, solid and
and single. double.
• Pharynx perforated by gill slits. • Gill slits are absent.
• Heart is ventral. • Heart is dorsal (if present).
• A post-anal part (tail) is present. • Post-anal tail is absent.
 CHORDATE CLASSIFICATION

Phylum Chordate

Sub Phylum Sub Phylum Sub Phylum

Urochordata Cephalochordata Vertebrata

Protochordata
 SUBPHYLUM UROCHORDATA

• These animals are called as tunicates.

• Body is covered by covering called as test which is
made up of cellulose called tunicine.
• Notochord is present only in the tail of the larva. It is
lost during metamorphosis. Incurrent
siphon
• Only marine animals. to mouth

Excurrent
• Pharynx has many gill slits. siphon

• Examples Herdmania, Salpa, Doliolum. Atrium

Excurrent
siphon
Pharynx
with Anus
numerous
slits Intestine
Tunic Esophagus
Stomach
 CHORDATE CLASSIFICATION

Phylum Chordate

Sub Phylum Sub Phylum Sub Phylum

Urochordata Cephalochordata Vertebrata
 SUBPHYLUM CEPHALOCHORDATE
• These animals are called as lancelets.
• They are small fish like animals that
are no longer than 5cm in length.
• They live partly buried in soft marine
soils.
• Notochord is present throughout the
life and extends in length.
Notochord Mytomes Nerve cord Dorsal fin Caudal fin Tail
• They show chordate characters such
as presence of pharyngeal gill slits, tail
and dorsal nerve cord.
• Examples Branchiostoma (Lancelet).

Oral Intestine Anus Ventral fin

Gil slits
tentacles
 CHORDATE CLASSIFICATION

Phylum Chordate

Sub Phylum Sub Phylum Sub Phylum

Urochordata Cephalochordata Vertebrata
SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA

The notochord is replaced by a

cartilaginous or bony vertebral
column in the adult. Thus all
vertebrates are
chordates but all
chordates are not
vertebrates.

Besides the basic chordate

characters, vertebrates have
a ventral muscular heart with
two, three or four chambers,
kidney for excretion and
osmoregulation and paired
appendages which may be
fins or limb.
 SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATE

• Notochord is replaced by vertebral column.

• Subphylum vertebrate is divided into 2 divisions;
Division: Agantha-It includes the most primitive vertebrates without jaws.
It has one class; Cyclostomata.
Division: Gnathostomata- It includes the vertebrates with jaws.
It has several classes which are grouped into two super classes.
Superclass: Pisces-These animals bear fins for swimming.
Superclass: Tetrapoda-These animals has 4 limbs for locomotion.
 DIVISION AGANTHA

Division: Agantha-It includes the most primitive vertebrates without jaws.

Class; Cyclostomata.
• Cyclostomes are jawless and eel like animals.
• Skin is soft, smooth containing unicellular moucous glands but no scales.
• Median fins are present but paired fins are absent.
Figure- A jawless vertebrate - Petromyzon
• They are ectoparasites which have sucking and circular mouth without jaws.
• Endoskeleton is cartilagious.
• Digestive system lacks stomach.
• Intestine is present with a fold call as typhlosole.
 DIVISION AGANTHA
Nasohypophyseal
duct

Position Rhomb encephalon

Eye spot
of
Spinal cord Mesencephalo
notochord
Division: Agantha-It includes the most primitive vertebrates without jaws. Myomere Blood
vessels
n Pros encephalon

Class; Cyclostomata.
• Respiration occurs by 5-16 pairs of gill slits. Dorsal fin

• Heart is 2 chambered. Caudal fin

Velum
Liver
• Gonad is single and large without gonoduct. Heart
Ear
Gall Oral hood
vesicle
• Fertilization is external. Intestine bladder
Gil slit
Oral
• Ex: petromyzon (lamprey) and Myxine (hagfish). 200µm Esophagus tentacles

Anus Gil filament

Subpharyngeal gland

Figure: Lamprey larva (Unknown

species)
VERTEBRATA

The notochord is replaced by a

cartilaginous or bony vertebral
column in the adult. Thus all
vertebrates are
chordates but all
chordates are not
vertebrates.

Besides the basic chordate

characters, vertebrates have
a ventral muscular heart with
two, three or four chambers,
kidney for excretion and
osmoregulation and paired
appendages which may be
fins or limb.
 DIVISION GNATHOSTOMATA
Super Class; Pisces.
• These are aquatic animals.
• Polkilothemic or cold blooded animals (body temperature changes with the
surrounding temperature.).
• They feed on detritus material, planktons, algae, molluscs and other
aquatic animals.
• Locomotion is by body scales and fins.
• Caudal fin helps in steering.
• Exoskeleton is made up of dermal scales.
• Endoskeleton is either bony or cartilagenous.
 DIVISION GNATHOSTOMATA

Super Class; Pisces. Gill capillaries

• Body is streamlined and boat shaped.

• Mouth is terminal or ventral in position.
• Respiration is by gills. Artery Gill circulation

• Heart is 2 chambered and it shows single circulation which is closed. Ventricle

Heart

• Blood is red in color due to red blood cells. Atrium

• Pisces have a well developed brain with large olfactory lobes.

Systemic
• Sexes are separate. Vein circulation

• Most fishes are oviparous and some viviparous.

Systemic
circulation
VERTEBRATA
The notochord is replaced by a
cartilaginous or bony vertebral
column in the adult. Thus all
vertebrates are
chordates but all
chordates are not
vertebrates.

Besides the basic chordate

characters, vertebrates have
a ventral muscular heart with
two, three or four chambers,
kidney for excretion and
osmoregulation and paired
appendages which may be
fins or limb.
CLASS CHONDRICHTHYMES
Nostrils

Caudal fin
• Exoskeleton is in the form of a cartilage. Eye 1st dorsal fin Lateral line 2nd dorsal fin

• They are only marine.

• Exoskeleton is made up of tiny placoid scales.

• Mouth is ventral and there are 2 dorsal fins.
• Male copulatory organ called claspers are present.
Mouth
Branchial arches Pectoral fin
• Caudal fin is heterocercal (asymmetrical). Hindbrain
Dorsal
Pelvic fin
Clasper

aorta Celiac
Kidney Caudal
ForebrainMidbrain Efferent Testis 1st artery
• 5-7 pairs of gill slits are present. brachial artery Caudal
Stomach dorsal Spleen
artery fin vein

• Operculum is absent.

• Fertilization is internal and these fishes are

viviparous.
• Examples: Shark (scoliodon), electric ray, sting ray, Afferent Rectal Pelvic
Heart Pectoral Liver gland fin
branchial
fin Pancreas
artery Spinal Cloaca
Ventral
hammer head shark and saw fish. Rostrum aorta Intestine
valve
 CLASS OSTEICHTHYES
Spinal cord

Dorsal aorta Pancreas Olfactory bulb

Stomach Kidney
• Exoskeleton is made up of bones. Brain Posterior margin
smooth Posterior
Cycloid scale margin spiny
• These are found in fresh water and marine water. Cycloid scale
Ctenoid scale

• Exoskeleton is made up of cycloid or ctenoid

scales.
• Mouth is terminal in positions.
• Single dorsal fin is present.
Urinary Anus Ovary Gill
• Claspers are absent. bladder Intestine Mouth

Urinogenital Heart
• Caudal fin is homocercal (symmetrical). Operculum
opening liver
Pharynx
Dorsal fins Spleen
Caulophyryne jordan
• 4 pairs of gill slits are prevent covered by an Caudal fin (Angler fish)
Synchiropus
operculum. (Mandarin fish)
Hippocampus (Sea
horse)

• Fertilization is external and these fishes are

oviparous.
Exocoetus (Flying
Labeo
• Examples: Bombay duck, Pomphret, Catla, Sea fish)
rohita(Rohu)
Anabas (Climbing
horse. perch) Perois voltians
lion fish)

Pelvic fin
Pectoral fin
Anal fin
Lateral line
VERTEBRATA

The notochord is replaced by a

cartilaginous or bony vertebral
column in the adult. Thus all
vertebrates are
chordates but all
chordates are not
vertebrates.

Besides the basic chordate

characters, vertebrates have
a ventral muscular heart with
two, three or four chambers,
kidney for excretion and
osmoregulation and paired
appendages which may be
fins or limb.
 DIVISION GNATHOSTOMATA

Super Class; Tetrapoda

• These animals bear 2 pairs of limbs or appendages.
• Animals like snake are limbless.
• Superclass tetrapoda includes 4 classes.
 CLASS AMPHIBIA
• These animals live on land as well water.
• They are poikilothermic animals and carnivorous.
• Body divided into head, trunk and tail (some times tail
Mouth Head
Nostril
Upper eyelid
is absent). Eye
Nictitating

membrane

• 2 pairs of limbs arise each from pelvic and pectoral

Lower eyelid Trunk
Tympanum

girdle. Parotid gland

Wart

• In frogs, webs are present between digits which help to

swim.
forelimb

• Skin is moist, glandular with mucous membrane. Finger

• Prominent ear drums or tympanic membranes are

present in the head. Ventral surface Hind limb

• Ex. Frog, toad, salamander. Toe

 CLASS AMPHIBIA

• Intestine and digestive glands are well developed. Heart

Oesophagus

• Circulatory system is of closed type and heart is 3 Liver

chambered and ventral. Gall bladder

Stomach
Lung

• RBCs are biconvex and nucleated.

Fat bodies

Kidney

• Respiration is through skin, lungs and bucco-pharynx. Ureter

Intestine

• Nervous system is well developed.

Rectum
Cloaca Urinary bladder

• Sexes are separate, these are oviparous, fertilization is Cloacal Aperture

external. Adult frog Eggs

Embryo

Tadpoles clinging
to water-plant
• Development occurs in water and is indirect External gills

(metamorphosis). Young frog for breathing

Tail keeps
Lives from food on growing
Tail becomes stored in the tail
shorter
Front legs appear Hind legs appear
 CLASS REPTILIA
• These are crawling animals like cobra, crocodile, turtle.
• They are the first true terrestrial vertebrates, few may be
aquatic or semi-aquatic found in marshy areas.
• Most of the them are carnivorous.
• Locomotion is by limbs which have well developed Penta
dactyl digits and claws, which help the animal to creep or
crawl.
• Reptiles are poikilotherms (cold blooded).
• skin is dry, non-grandular and covered by epidermal
scales, scutes or plates.
 CLASS REPTILIA
• Heart is incompletely 4 chambered and ventral &
circulatory system is of closed type. (crocodile
has perfectly 4 chambered heart). Fish Amphibian Reptile Bird Mammal

• Ear drum is depressed.

• Respiration is through lungs.
• Brain is well developed.
• Olfactory lobes and cerebellum are better
developed than amphibian.
• Sexes are separate and show prominent sexual
dimorphism.
• Fertilization is internal, reptiles are oviparous,
they lay eggs and show parental care.
 CLASS AVES
• It includes flightless birds and flying birds.
• Forelimbs are modified into wings for flying.
• Hind limbs are used for walking or running.
• Aquatic birds have web between toes.
• Body differentiated into head, neck, trunk
Crown
and tail. Crest
Ear patch
Nape Forehead

• They are homeotherms (warm blooded) Back

Lores

Wing bars Bill

• Exoskeleton is made up of feathers. Wing Chin

Rump Neck Crown

Breast
Side

Tail
Flank Belly

Tarsus
 CLASS AVES

• Scales are present on hind limbs.

• Skin is thin, dry and non-glandular.
• Bones are hollow.
• Jaw form the beak and teeth are absent. Nostril
Lungs
Ovary

• Special organs such as crop and gizzard Eye

Brain

Kidney
Caeca
are present. Oviduct

• Blood is red due to RBCs (Biconvex and

Large intestine

Larynx Cloaca

nucleated). Trachea
Small intestine

• Heart is ventral in position and 4 chambered Oesophagus

Crop
Duodenal loop

showing double circulation. Heart

Pancreas

• Respiration is by lungs having air sacs for Proventriculus

buoyancy. Gall bladder

Spleen

Liver

Gizzard
 CLASS AVES
• Brain is enlarged with well formed cerebellum.
• Optics lobes are well developed, olfactory lobes are poorly
developed.
• Unisexual, sexual dimorphism, oviparous, internal
fertilization.
• Birds lay eggs with yolk and albumin.
Egg
• Birds build nests on trees.
Adult chicken
Embryo
• Most are herbivorous and some are carnivorous.
• Parental care is well seen along with seasonal migration.
• Urinary bladder is absent and female show only the
Hatching
presence of left ovary and oviduct to reduce body weight Chick
during flying.
 CLASS MAMMALIA

• Mammary glands are present for nourishment of young

ones.
• Mammals are terrestrial, aquatic, aerial and arboreal.
• Most are herbivorous, few are carnivorous and some are
omnivorous. Auricle or
external auditory mealus
Fig: Rabbit. External features in side view
• Locomotion is by limbs. External ears
of pinnae
Head
Eye
Back Snout
Abdomen External naris
• Body divided into head, neck, trunk and tail.
Thorax

• They are homeotherms. Tail

Mouth

Vibrissae

• Exoskeleton is in the form of skin, hair, fur, nails, Upper Arm

Forearm
Hand Forelimb
hooves. Metacarpus
Clawed fingers
Clawed toes

Hind limb Foot

Thigh
Metatarsus
Shank
 CLASS MAMMALIA
• Skin is glandular having sweat glands and sebaceous
glands.
• Body cavity is divided into two parts; thoracic cavity
and abdominal cavity by a diaphragm. SYSTEMIC Capillaries of
head & forelimbs
Superior vena cava
• Mammals show the presence of an external ears. Pulmonary artery
Aorta

• Teeth are of different types: I, C, M, PM.

Pulmonary artery
Capillaries of right lung PULMONARY
Capillaries of left lung

• heart is completely 4 chambered with double Pulmonary vein

Left atrium
Pulmonary vein
Right atrium
circulation. Right ventricle SYSTEMIC
Left ventricle

Aorta

• RBCs are biconcave and without nucleus (except

Inferior vena cava
Capillaries of
abdominal organs
camel).
• Blood is red in color.
• Respiration is by lungs.
 CLASS MAMMALS

• Brain is highly developed.

Adolescence
• Cerebrum shows transverse band called as corpus Adult

callosum.
• Optics lobes are better developed than olfactory lobes.
• Few mammals are oviparous ex: duck billed platypus. Life cycle
of
a Dog
• Some mammals have pouches for development of
young ones. These mammalians are called as
marsupials ex: kangaroo.
• Most mammals are placental and viviparous. Puppy

Mother & babies