Question

In some chordates, the notochord is modified as the vertebral column.Such animals are called vertebrates.Which one of these statements makes sense?

• A. All chordates are vertebrates, but all vertebrates are not chordates.
• B. All vertebrates are chordates, and all chordates are vertebrates.
• C. All vertebrates are chordates, and all chordates are not vertebrates.
• D. Chordates are not vertebrates and vertebrates are not chordates.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

All vertebrates are chordates, and all chordates are not vertebrates.

Vertebrates are the subphylum of chordates. They both possess the common features of a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits and post-anal tail. They further evolved where the notochord changed into the bony backbone known as a vertebral column. Therefore, all chordates are not vertebrates but all vertebrates are chordates.

So, the correct answer is option C.