UROCHORD Meaning and
Definition
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Urochord refers to a phylum of marine invertebrates characterized by their unique anatomy and morphology, belonging to the subphylum Tunicata. They are commonly known as tunicates or sea squirts. The term "urochord" is derived from the Greek words "oura" meaning a tail and "chord" referring to the notochord-like structure possessed by these organisms.
Urochords typically exhibit a barrel-like body shape, with a tough, outer tunic or covering composed of a cellulose-like substance. They have a primitive vertebrate chordate trait, as they possess a notochord in their larval stage. This notochord, also known as the urochord, runs along the length of the tunicate's body and eventually degenerates as the organism undergoes metamorphosis into its adult form.
The adult urochord is characterized by a filter-feeding lifestyle, where it draws in water through an inhalant siphon and then expels it through an exhalant siphon. During the feeding process, water is filtered to extract organic particles and nutrients. Urochords can be sessile or free-swimming, with some species able to attach themselves to substrates using a holdfast structure.
Urochords play a significant ecological role in marine ecosystems as they remove particulate matter from the water, contributing to water quality. They also serve as a vital food source for other organisms. Additionally, they have been of interest to researchers due to their potential pharmaceutical and bioengineering applications, as certain compounds found in urochords possess promising medicinal properties.
In conclusion, urochord refers to a phylum of marine invertebrates known for their barrel-like bodies, external
Common Misspellings for UROCHORD
- yrochord
- hrochord
- jrochord
- irochord
- 8rochord
- 7rochord
- ueochord
- udochord
- ufochord
- utochord
- u5ochord
- u4ochord
- urichord
- urkchord
- urlchord
- urpchord
- ur0chord
- ur9chord
- uroxhord
- uyrochord
Etymology of UROCHORD
The word "urochord" is derived from two Greek roots: "oura" meaning "tail" and "chordē" meaning "cord" or "string". The "uro-" prefix in urochord refers to the structure called the tail and the "-chord" suffix refers to the presence of a notochord or flexible supportive structure. Together, "urochord" is used to describe a group of marine invertebrate animals known as tunicates or sea squirts, which have a tail-like structure called a urochord.
Similar spelling words for UROCHORD
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