From vertebrates (monkeys) to invertebrates (coral) what do they have in common?

a) some form of body symmetry

b) the presence of mouth an anus

c) the presence of hox genes

d) a number of embryonic tissue layers.

 

D) presence of Hox genes

Step-by-step explanation

Hox genes play a key role in animal body plan development. The expression of Hox genes provides the basis for anterior-posterior axis specification in both vertebrates and invertebrates. These genes tend to occur in tightly linked clusters in the genome. Vertebrates and invertebrates differ in their Hox cluster number, with vertebrates having multiple clusters and invertebrates usually having only one.

Not all animals have mouth and anus. Animals can cope even though they lack a digestive tract, including sea sponges (Porifera) and tapeworms, for example. These species, perhaps obviously, also lack an anus. Others have a very simple gut, a single sac with a single opening.

All vertebrates are bilaterally symmetrical with two pairs of appendages - limbs, fins, wings, etc. Invertebrates can have bilateral or radial symmetry, or they can be asymmetrical. Asymmetry means that the body shape is irregular and cannot be divided equally.

Most animal species undergo a separation of tissues into germ layers during embryonic development. Recall that these germ layers are formed during gastrulation, and that they are predetermined to develop into the animal's specialized tissues and organs, but not all, especially invertebrates, have this characteristic. For example, sponges do not possess true tissues or organs.