Which of the following structures do all chordates share?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To tackle the question, I’ll evaluate each option in the context of what all chordates share during some stage of development.
Option a. Vertebrae: This feature is characteristic of vertebrate chordates, not all chordates. For example, tunicates and cephalochordates (lancelets) are chordates but do not possess vertebrae. Therefore, vertebrae are not a universal trait across all chordates.
Option b. Notochord: The notochord is a defining trait of chordates. In many chordates, it is present at least during embryonic development and often replaced by a more complex structure (such as the vertebral column in vertebrates) later on, but its presence at some life stage is a shared chordate characteristic. This makes it the correct universal feature among chordates.
Option c. Jaws: Jaws are present in gnathostomes, a subgroup of vertebrates, but not all chordates possess jaws. Jawed fish illustrate this, while jawless vertebrates (like lampreys and hagfish) and non-vertebrate chordates do not have jaws, so this cannot be a universal chordate trait.
Option d. Brain: While many chordates have brains, some subgroups (notably tunicates in their larval stage) do not develop a complex brain in the adult form, and brain structure varies widely. Moreover, cephalochordates have a simple nerve cord rather than a true brain. Thus, a brain is not a universal chordate feature.
In summary, among the options, the notochord best fits as the shared characteristic across all chordates because it is a defining, embryonic feature that commonly appears before other adult-derived structures develop or are replaced. The other features are restricted to specific subgroups or stages and are not universally present in all chordates.

Which of the following structures do all chordates share?

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