NEETBotanyAnimal Kingdom
Which of the following statements correctly compares the fate of the notochord in Ascidia, Branchiostoma, and Scoliodon?
Options
- ABoth Branchiostoma and Scoliodon possess a persistent notochord throughout their life, whereas in Ascidia it i
- BIn both Ascidia and Branchiostoma, the notochord is restricted to the larval tail, whereas in Scoliodon it is
- CScoliodon has its notochord completely replaced by a bony vertebral column in the adult, unlike Branchiostoma
- DAscidia possesses a persistent notochord throughout its life, whereas in Scoliodon it is present only during t
Correct answer
A. Both Branchiostoma and Scoliodon possess a persistent notochord throughout their life, whereas in Ascidia it i
Step-by-step solution
Ascidia belongs to subphylum Urochordata, where the notochord is present only in the larval tail. Branchiostoma belongs to subphylum Cephalochordata, where the notochord extends from head to tail and is persistent throughout life. Scoliodon (dog fish) belongs to class Chondrichthyes (subphylum Vertebrata). A key characteristic of Chondrichthyes is that their notochord is persistent throughout life, even though they possess a cartilaginous vertebral column. Therefore, both Branchiostoma and Scoliodon have a persiste