Phylum Chordata is super important because it includes animals with a backbone - like humans! Members have a notochord (a supporting rod), a nerve cord, and gill slits at some stage of their life.

Key Points

• Features: Notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, post-anal tail.
• Includes: Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
• Importance: Contains all vertebrates, including humans.