Difference between Invertebrates and Vertebrates

Difference between Invertebrates and Vertebrates: Invertebrates and Vertebrates are two major groups of animal kingdoms based on the presence or absence of a backbone or vertebral column. Invertebrates make up about 97% of all animal species, lack a backbone and include diverse creatures such as insects, spiders, worms, molluscs, and crustaceans. On the other hand, vertebrates account for around 3% of the animal kingdom and possess a backbone made of bone or cartilage. This group comprises fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Difference between Invertebrates and Vertebrates

What are Invertebrates? 

Invertebrates are a group of animals that do not possess a backbone or vertebral column. They account for about 97% of the whole animal kingdom. Invertebrates can be found in almost every habitat from marine environments to forests. This group includes insects, spiders, worms, molluscs, crustaceans etc. Some invertebrates like insects possess an exoskeleton while some invertebrates like worms lack an exoskeleton. They can exhibit radial as well as bilateral symmetry. Radial symmetry is found in starfish while bilateral symmetry is found in insects and spiders. Some invertebrates possess a simple nervous system and some like cephalopods have well-developed nervous systems. They have various methods for respiration including diffusion through their body surface, gills, or specialised tracheal systems. Reproduction can occur through both asexual and sexual means. Some invertebrates, like worms and insects, reproduce through internal or external fertilisation, while some species of jellyfish can reproduce asexually through budding. Their circulatory system is open while some cephalopods such as squids and octopuses, have a closed circulatory system. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from microscopic planktons to large arthropods such as the Japanese spider crab. 

Examples:  Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Echinodermata phyla.

What are Vertebrates? 

Vertebrates are a group of animals that possess a backbone or vertebral column. They include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Vertebrates represent a smaller portion of the animal kingdom, accounting for around 3% of the whole animal kingdom. The presence of an internal skeleton made of bone or cartilage is a characteristic feature of vertebrates. This structural framework not only supports the body but also protects vital organs. They generally exhibit bilateral symmetry Their nervous system is highly developed. It is divided into the central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system which consists of different types of nerves.  Respiration occurs through various means. Fish use gills while reptiles, birds, and mammals have lungs. Amphibians have both gills and lungs, thus adapting them to both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Most vertebrates reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. They exhibit diverse reproductive strategies from external egg-laying in reptiles and birds to viviparity in mammals. Their circulatory system is closed. This closed system allows for more efficient transport of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from small frogs to large whales. 

Examples: Chordata phylum including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

FAQs on Invertebrates and Vertebrates

Q1: What is the main difference between invertebrates and vertebrates?

Answer:

The main difference is that invertebrates lack a backbone or vertebral column, while vertebrates have a backbone that provides support and protection.

Q2: Can you provide examples of invertebrates?

Answer:

Yes, examples of invertebrates include insects, spiders, worms, molluscs, crustaceans etc.. They form about 97% of the animal kingdom.

Q3: What types of symmetry can be found in invertebrates?

Answer:

Invertebrates can exhibit both radial symmetry (e.g., starfish) and bilateral symmetry (e.g., insects and spiders).

Q4: How do invertebrates respire?

Answer:

Invertebrates have various methods of respiration, including diffusion through their body surface, gills, or tracheal systems.

Q5: How do vertebrates differ from invertebrates in terms of reproduction?

Answer:

Invertebrates can reproduce through both asexual and sexual means while most vertebrates reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization.

Last Updated :
18 Jul, 2023

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Difference between Invertebrates and Vertebrates: Invertebrates and Vertebrates are two major groups of animal kingdoms based on the presence or absence of a backbone or vertebral column. Invertebrates make up about 97% of all animal species, lack a backbone and include diverse creatures such as insects, spiders, worms, molluscs, and crustaceans. On the other hand, vertebrates account for around 3% of the animal kingdom and possess a backbone made of bone or cartilage. This group comprises fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Difference between Invertebrates and Vertebrates

What are Invertebrates? 

Invertebrates are a group of animals that do not possess a backbone or vertebral column. They account for about 97% of the whole animal kingdom. Invertebrates can be found in almost every habitat from marine environments to forests. This group includes insects, spiders, worms, molluscs, crustaceans etc. Some invertebrates like insects possess an exoskeleton while some invertebrates like worms lack an exoskeleton. They can exhibit radial as well as bilateral symmetry. Radial symmetry is found in starfish while bilateral symmetry is found in insects and spiders. Some invertebrates possess a simple nervous system and some like cephalopods have well-developed nervous systems. They have various methods for respiration including diffusion through their body surface, gills, or specialised tracheal systems. Reproduction can occur through both asexual and sexual means. Some invertebrates, like worms and insects, reproduce through internal or external fertilisation, while some species of jellyfish can reproduce asexually through budding. Their circulatory system is open while some cephalopods such as squids and octopuses, have a closed circulatory system. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from microscopic planktons to large arthropods such as the Japanese spider crab. 

Examples:  Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Echinodermata phyla.

What are Vertebrates? 

Vertebrates are a group of animals that possess a backbone or vertebral column. They include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Vertebrates represent a smaller portion of the animal kingdom, accounting for around 3% of the whole animal kingdom. The presence of an internal skeleton made of bone or cartilage is a characteristic feature of vertebrates. This structural framework not only supports the body but also protects vital organs. They generally exhibit bilateral symmetry Their nervous system is highly developed. It is divided into the central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system which consists of different types of nerves.  Respiration occurs through various means. Fish use gills while reptiles, birds, and mammals have lungs. Amphibians have both gills and lungs, thus adapting them to both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Most vertebrates reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. They exhibit diverse reproductive strategies from external egg-laying in reptiles and birds to viviparity in mammals. Their circulatory system is closed. This closed system allows for more efficient transport of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from small frogs to large whales. 

Examples: Chordata phylum including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

FAQs on Invertebrates and Vertebrates

Q1: What is the main difference between invertebrates and vertebrates?

Answer:

The main difference is that invertebrates lack a backbone or vertebral column, while vertebrates have a backbone that provides support and protection.

Q2: Can you provide examples of invertebrates?

Answer:

Yes, examples of invertebrates include insects, spiders, worms, molluscs, crustaceans etc.. They form about 97% of the animal kingdom.

Q3: What types of symmetry can be found in invertebrates?

Answer:

Invertebrates can exhibit both radial symmetry (e.g., starfish) and bilateral symmetry (e.g., insects and spiders).

Q4: How do invertebrates respire?

Answer:

Invertebrates have various methods of respiration, including diffusion through their body surface, gills, or tracheal systems.

Q5: How do vertebrates differ from invertebrates in terms of reproduction?

Answer:

Invertebrates can reproduce through both asexual and sexual means while most vertebrates reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization.

Last Updated :
18 Jul, 2023

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