About the Book

Chordate Embryology

Chordates also have a closed circulatory system, and most, but not all, chordates have a heart. The blood of most chordates contains the oxygen-carrying molecule hemoglobin. The muscles of the body are segmented into blocks called myotomes. Like their relatives the echinoderms, chordates are deuterostomes: in early embryonic development, the anus forms before the mouth. Chordates are defined as organisms that possess a structure called a notochord, at least during some part of their development. The notochord is a rod that extends most of the length of the body when it is fully developed. Lying dorsal to the gut but ventral to the central nervous system, it stiffens the body and acts as support during locomotion. The chordates constitute the other major group of animals. They constitute only 5 per cent of the Kingdom Animalia, rest 95 per cent is constituted by group non-chordata. Chordates are divided into two groups of animals - primitive chordates or Protochordates and vertebrates. In protochordates only a notochord is present. The text of the book is supported by simple and well labelled diagrams for an easy understanding. CONTENTS : (1) Common Organs of Animals (2) Origin of Chordates (3) Chordata: Major Group of Animals (4) Origin of Birds (5) Mammals (6) Gastrulation (7) Embryonic Development of Fishes (8) Development of Frog Culture (9) Development of Chick.