Chondrichthyes: Cartilaginous Fish Feature
Advantage
Streamlined body & paired fins
Enhances stability and maneuverability
Paired gills
Exchange O2 and CO2
Sharp, triangular teeth
Tear apart prey
Paired nostrils
Smell and locate prey
Lateral line
A line of sensory cells along the side of the body that sense
movement
Placoid scales
Give a sandpaper like texture to skin
Spiracles (in skates and rays)
Modified gill slits that help take on water when the animal’s
mouth is buried in the sand.
Osteichthyes: Bony Fish Characteristics Organ/ Structure
Function
Heart
Pumps gases dissolved in the blood to the tissues of the body and
to the swim bladder
Blood vessels
Carry gases to and from the swim bladder
Swim bladder
Fills with gases from the blood, making the fish more buoyant
Caudal (tail) fin
Propels the fish
Dorsal fin
Stabilizes the fish, keeping it upright
Pectoral fins
Used for movement and provides stability, preventing the fish from
rolling over
Olfactory Bulb
Organ involved in sense of smell.
Mr. Piwowarczyk