Quiz Champion

Which of these animals belongs in class Chondrichthyes?

  • Great white shark
  • Octopus
  • Killer whale
  • Catfish
Explanation

The Great white shark belongs in the class Chondrichthyes because it possesses key characteristics that define this class. Chondrichthyes is a class of cartilaginous fishes that have a skeleton made of cartilage instead of bone. The Great white shark, like other sharks, has a cartilaginous skeleton, paired fins, and a streamlined body. It also possesses specialized characteristics such as multiple rows of sharp teeth, dermal denticles (skin covered in tooth-like scales), and gill slits to extract oxygen from the water. These distinct features are unique to Chondrichthyes and classify the Great white shark as a member of this particular class.