Question

Echinoderms are regarded as being closely related to chordates, which of the following indicates this?

• A. Bilateral symmetry
• B. Form a circulatory system
• C. Endoskeleton
• D. Early embryonic development
• E. Possession of a notochord

Answer 1

The correct option is D Early embryonic development

Like chordates, echinoderms are deuterostomes. They have a radial and holoblastic cleavage. Similar to chordates, their larvae are bilaterally symmetrical but they eventually lose this symmetry during the course of development. Hence, echinoderms are similar to chordates during the early embryonic developmental stages.

So, the correct answer is 'Early embryonic development'.