Chapter 28, Problem 14A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Fishes live in aquatic habitats like lakes, seas, rivers, ponds, etc. Some fishes live in complete darkness at the bottom of the deep ocean whereas others live in the freezing water of the Polar Regions and have special proteins in their blood to keep the blood from freezing. There are about 24,600 species of living fishes found.

Answer to Problem 14A

Correct answer:

The correct answer is option (A) jaws, cartilaginous skeleton, lateral line.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option (D) jaws, cartilaginous skeleton, lateral line. Shark belongs to cartilaginous fishes. All cartilaginous fish have cartilage skeletons. The shark skeleton is also made of cartilage that gives the skeleton flexibility and the calcium carbonate that gives it strength. Shark has a strong jawline with several rows of sharp teeth. The lateral line systems of shark can detect vibrations in the water. So, the correct answer is option (D).

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option (A) jawless, cartilaginous skeleton, lateral line. Shark has a strong jawline with several rows of sharp teeth. So, this is an incorrect option.

Option (B) jawless, cartilaginous skeleton, ray-finned. Shark has jawline and it belongs to cartilaginous fish as it has cartilage skeletons. They do not belong to ray-finned fishes as they do not have ray fins. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Option (C) jaws, bony skeleton, swim bladder. Shark has cartilaginous skeleton as its skeleton is made up of cartilage. So, this is an incorrect answer.