By Momina Shehzadi | BS Zoology Graduate, Pakistan In this article, we will learn Fungi - Morphology, Reproduction, Physiology and Importance - in simple words with diagram. This topic is very important for BS Zoology and Microbiology students. Fungi are found everywhere around us. They are present in soil, in water, in air, on dead plants, on dead animals, on our food, on our skin and even inside our body. When bread becomes old, green or black spots appear on it. These spots are fungi. When we see mushroom growing after rain, that is also a fungus. When yeast is used to make bread soft, that is also a fungus. Fungi are very different from bacteria and plants. They are eukaryotic organisms. It means their cells have a true nucleus and other membrane bound organelles. They do not have chlorophyll, so they cannot make their own food like plants. They get their food from other living or dead things. That is why they are called heterotrophic organisms. The study of fungi is called mycolog...
By Momina Shehzadi | BS Zoology Graduate, Pakistan
In this article, we will learn the difference between Vertebrates and Invertebrates in simple words with table and examples. This topic is very important for BS Zoology, BSc Zoology, and FSc students.
Animals in the animal kingdom are divided into two main groups on the basis of backbone: Vertebrates and Invertebrates. This is the most basic and important concept in Zoology for BS, BSc and FSc students. Understanding this difference is the first step to learning animal classification.
What are Vertebrates? Definition and Characteristics
Vertebrates are those animals that possess a backbone or vertebral column. The term Vertebrate comes from Latin word "Vertebra" which means backbone. Their body has a strong internal skeleton made of bones or cartilage which provides support and protection.
During embryonic development, vertebrates have a notochord which is later replaced by a vertebral column. This vertebral column surrounds and protects the spinal cord.
Characteristics of Vertebrates:
1. They have a backbone made of small bones called vertebrae.
2. They have a well-developed brain protected by a skull or cranium.
3. They have a closed blood circulatory system where blood flows inside blood vessels.
4. They have an internal skeleton called endoskeleton made of bone or cartilage.
5. Their body size is generally large and complex with organized organ systems.
6. They have a ventral heart and efficient respiratory system with gills or lungs.
7. They are active and fast-moving due to strong muscular system.
Example of Vertebrates:
Humans, Dogs, Cats, Cows, Birds like Pigeon, Sparrow and Eagle, Fishes like Shark and Rohu Fish, Frogs, Snakes and Lizards.
What are invertebrates? Definition and Characteristics
Invertebrates are animals that do NOT have a backbone or vertebral column. This is the largest group in the animal kingdom. About 97% of all animal species on Earth are invertebrates, while only 3% are vertebrates. They show great diversity in their structure and habitat.
Characteristics of Invertebrates
1. No backbone or vertebral column is present.
2. They are mostly small in size and slow-moving, although some like squid are large and fast.
3. No internal skeleton, but some have an exoskeleton made of chitin like insects and crabs for protection.
4. They have a less developed brain or simple nervous system like nerve net or ganglia.
5. They mostly have an open circulatory system where blood is not always inside vessels.
6. They are found everywhere - in water, soil, air, and even inside other animals as parasites.
7. They reproduce very quickly in large numbers and have high regeneration ability.
Examples of Invertebrates:
Insects like Ant, Butterfly and Cockroach, Earthworm, Snail, Starfish, Jellyfish, Spider, Octopus and Crabs.
Classification Overview
Classification of Vertebrates
Vertebrates are divided into 5 major classes:
1. Pisces (Fishes): Aquatic animals with fins and gills. Example: Shark, Rohu.
2. Amphibia: Can live both in water and on land. Example: Frog, Salamander.
3. Reptilia: Cold-blooded animals with scales. Example: Snake, Lizard, Turtle.
4. Aves (Birds): Warm-blooded animals with feathers and wings. Example: Pigeon, Sparrow.
5. Mammalia (Mammals): Warm-blooded animals with mammary glands and hair. Example: Humans, Dogs, Cats.
Classification of invertebrates
Invertebrates include many phyla, major are:
Porifera (Sponges), Cnidaria (Jellyfish), Platyhelminthes (Flatworms), Nematoda (Roundworms), Annelida (Earthworm), Arthropoda which is the largest phylum (Insects, Spiders, Crabs), Mollusca (Snails, Octopus), and Echinodermata (Starfish).
VERTEBRATES vs INVERTEBRATES - MAIN DIFFERENCES
1. BACKBONE:
- Vertebrates = Backbone Present
- Invertebrates = Backbone Absent
2. SKELETON:
- Vertebrates = Internal Endoskeleton (Bones)
- Invertebrates = No Internal, Some Have Exoskeleton (Chitin)
3. BODY SIZE:
- Vertebrates = Generally Large and Complex
- Invertebrates = Generally Small and Simple
4. BRAIN & NERVOUS SYSTEM:
- Vertebrates = Highly Developed Brain with Skull
- Invertebrates = Simple System, Nerve Net or Ganglia
5. BLOOD SYSTEM:
- Vertebrates = Closed System (Blood in vessels)
- Invertebrates = Mostly Open System
6. HEART POSITION:
- Vertebrates = Ventral Heart (On belly side)
- Invertebrates = Dorsal Heart or No Heart
7. PERCENTAGE ON EARTH:
- Vertebrates = Only 3% of all animals
- Invertebrates = 97% of all animals
8. EXAMPLES:
- Vertebrates = Humans, Dogs, Birds, Fishes, Frogs
- Invertebrates = Insects, Earthworm, Jellyfish, Octopus
Conclusion
In simple words, if an animal has a backbone it is called a Vertebrate, and if it does not have a backbone it is an Invertebrate. Both groups are very important for maintaining balance in our ecosystem. Vertebrates are advanced and complex, while invertebrates are diverse and form the majority of animal life on Earth. This classification helps zoologists to study millions of animal species easily.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are vertebrates? Give 5 examples.
Ans: Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone or vertebral column made of vertebrae. They have internal skeleton, skull, and closed circulatory system. Examples are Humans, Dogs, Pigeons, Rohu Fish, and Frogs.
Q2: What are invertebrates? Give 5 examples.
Ans: Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. They are 97% of all animals, mostly small, and have open circulatory system. Examples are Butterfly, Earthworm, Jellyfish, Spider, and Octopus.
Q3: What is the main difference between vertebrates and invertebrates?
Ans: The main difference is backbone. Vertebrates have backbone, internal skeleton, highly developed brain, and closed blood system. Invertebrates have no backbone, mostly exoskeleton or no skeleton, simple nervous system, and open blood system.
Q4: Are humans vertebrates or invertebrates?
Ans: Humans are vertebrates. We have a backbone (33 vertebrae), skull protecting brain, internal endoskeleton made of 206 bones, ventral heart, and closed circulatory system. We belong to class Mammalia.
Also read previous complete topic biodiversity importance
Written by Momina Shehzadi from Pakistan. I made these notes for my exams.
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