What term is used for an animal that has a backbone?

What term is used for an animal that has a backbone?

• A. Invertebrate
• B. Vertebrate
• C. Mammal
• D. Reptile

Answer: (B)

Vertebrate describes animals that have a backbone, a vertebral column that protects the spinal cord and provides structural support. This group includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes—basically all animals with backbones. Invertebrates, by contrast, lack a backbone, so that term wouldn’t apply here. Mammal and reptile are specific subgroups within vertebrates, not the general description for any animal with a backbone. So the term that fits any animal with a backbone is vertebrate.

Vertebrate describes animals that have a backbone, a vertebral column that protects the spinal cord and provides structural support. This group includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes—basically all animals with backbones. Invertebrates, by contrast, lack a backbone, so that term wouldn’t apply here. Mammal and reptile are specific subgroups within vertebrates, not the general description for any animal with a backbone. So the term that fits any animal with a backbone is vertebrate.