Question

Which one is not a characteristic feature of subphylum vertebrata?
A) Dorsal tubular nerve cord
B) Ventral muscular heart
C) Notochord in adult
D) Kidneys
E) Lateral appendages

Answer 1

Vertebrates are commonly called as Craniata and belong to the subphylum Vertebrata. The phylum Vertebrata is one of the best known of all groups of animals. The members of Vertebrates include Agnatha, Chondrichythes, Amphibia, Aves, etc.

Complete answer:
Vertebrates are the chordates with backbone. The word vertebrate is derived from the latin word vertebrates which means joint of the spine. Vertebrates are the advanced chordates. Subphylum vertebrata comes under the phylum Chordata and Kingdom Animalia.

Characteristic features of vertebrates:

In all the vertebrates there is a mouth at anterior end of the animal and an anus before the posterior end of the body.
Vertebrates are defined by the presence of vertebral columns. Vertebrates have notochord which develops into the vertebral column in adults.
Vertebrates also possess a brain. In subphylum vertebrata there is a hollow nerve tube based central nervous system which runs dorsal to the notochord along the length of the body.
Vertebrates have a system of muscles attached to the endoskeleton. These muscles enable the movement of animals.
Vertebrates contain a closed circulatory system with a muscular heart which pumps out the blood.
Vertebrates' skin is covered with scales, fur, feathers or hairs. Their function is to provide insulation to the body.
Vertebrates also have an excretory system which includes a pair of kidneys. Kidneys are the organs that filter the blood and excrete waste in the form of urine from the body.
Vertebrates have an adaptive immune system which provides defense to the animal.
Therefore, it has been clear from the above discussion that Notochord in adults is not the characteristic feature of subphylum vertebrata.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Note: The vertebral column or backbone runs from the head to tail along the length of the body of the vertebrate animal along the dorsal side of the body. The vertebral column is the core of the endoskeleton. It provides shape to the body and protects the nerve cord. The vertebral column is made up of repeating units called vertebrae.