UROCHORDATE Meaning and
Definition
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Urochordate refers to a member of a diverse group of marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Urochordata (also known as the tunicates or sea squirts). Urochordates are characterized by their unique body structure, which includes a distinctive tunic or sac-like covering made of a carbohydrate substance called cellulose. With approximately 3,000 known species, they are one of the major groups of chordates (animals with a notochord), to which humans also belong.
Urochordates exhibit a wide range of morphological variations, but all share certain key features. These include having a hollow nerve cord located dorsally, a perforated pharynx with specialized gill slits, a ventrally-positioned mouth, and a muscular structure called a heart that pumps blood. Urochordates demonstrate both sessile (non-moving) and free-swimming lifestyles and can be found in various marine habitats worldwide.
Urochordates play significant roles in marine ecosystems as filter feeders, utilizing their pharynx to draw in water and filter out small particles, such as plankton, bacteria, and organic matter. They contribute to the overall biodiversity and ecosystem functioning by recycling nutrients and serving as a food source for other marine organisms.
In terms of their evolutionary significance, urochordates are thought to represent a key transitional group between invertebrates and vertebrates. They share some characteristics with their chordate relatives, such as a notochord during their larval stage, which they lose as they develop into adults. Studying urochordates provides valuable insights into the evolution and development of chordates, including vertebrates like mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Common Misspellings for UROCHORDATE
- yrochordate
- hrochordate
- jrochordate
- irochordate
- 8rochordate
- 7rochordate
- ueochordate
- udochordate
- ufochordate
- utochordate
- u5ochordate
- u4ochordate
- urichordate
- urkchordate
- urlchordate
- urpchordate
- ur0chordate
- ur9chordate
- uroxhordate
Etymology of UROCHORDATE
The word "urochordate" is derived from two Greek terms: "oura", meaning "tail", and "chordē", meaning "cord" or "string". These terms were combined to describe a group of marine invertebrate animals characterized by having a tail-like structure called a "notochord", which runs along their body. Urochordates are commonly known as tunicates or sea squirts. The name "urochordate" signifies this fundamental anatomical feature of the group.
Similar spelling words for UROCHORDATE
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