1. By: Colin Wilbur Chris Beal Matt Brownmann

2. Important Vocabulary Vertebrate:An animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column Animal:A living organism that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli Chordate:Any animal of the phylum Chordata having a notochord or spinal column Heterotrophic:Requiring organic compounds of carbon and nitrogen for nourishment Multi-cellular:Consisting of many cells Eukaryotic:Having cells membrane-bound nuclei Cell Wall:A rigid layer of polysaccharides lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells

3. Facts About Vertebrates Include the following animals: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals All animals must keep there internal environment relatively stable, homeostasis Complex animals such as mammals use several linked body systems to respond to events in their environment Animals often respond to the information proceeded in their nervous system by moving around

4. Facts About Chordates 5% of animals are chordates Four characteristics of chordates are the dorsal, hollow nerve cord, notochord, a tail that extends beyond the anus, a pharyngeal pouches Hollow nerve chord runs along the dorsal, back, part of the body Chordata may not all have a spine (which would classify them as a vertebrate animal), but they all have a notochord notochord is like a primitive backbone

5. Examples of Vertebrates (pictures) MammalsFishAmphibians Birds Reptiles