Question:
Meckel's cartilage supports which of the following in early development of shark ?
Meckel's cartilage supports which of the following in early development of shark ?
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For jaw development in chondrichthyans, remember: Palatoquadrate = Upper Jaw, and Meckel's Cartilage = Lower Jaw.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2026
- Inner ear
- Upper jaw
- Lower jaw
- Gill cover
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Sharks are cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) whose skeleton is entirely composed of cartilage rather than bone.
During early embryonic development, the visceral arches (gill arches) modify to form key skeletal structures of the head and jaw.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The first visceral arch, also known as the mandibular arch, divides into two primary cartilaginous components during embryonic development:
1. The dorsal portion forms the palatoquadrate cartilage, which develops into and supports the upper jaw of the shark.
2. The ventral portion forms Meckel's cartilage (also known as the mandibular cartilage), which develops into and supports the lower jaw of the shark.
Meckel's cartilage runs along the lower jaw margin on both left and right sides, meeting at the symphysis in the front.
In adult sharks, these cartilages remain cartilaginous, whereas in bony fishes and tetrapods, Meckel's cartilage is largely replaced or encased by dermal bones (like the dentary).
The other options do not relate to Meckel's cartilage:
- The inner ear is supported by the otic capsule.
- The gill cover (operculum) is absent in sharks, and where present in bony fishes, it is supported by opercular bones derived from the hyoid arch.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Thus, Meckel's cartilage supports the Lower jaw in the early development of sharks.
Sharks are cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) whose skeleton is entirely composed of cartilage rather than bone.
During early embryonic development, the visceral arches (gill arches) modify to form key skeletal structures of the head and jaw.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The first visceral arch, also known as the mandibular arch, divides into two primary cartilaginous components during embryonic development:
1. The dorsal portion forms the palatoquadrate cartilage, which develops into and supports the upper jaw of the shark.
2. The ventral portion forms Meckel's cartilage (also known as the mandibular cartilage), which develops into and supports the lower jaw of the shark.
Meckel's cartilage runs along the lower jaw margin on both left and right sides, meeting at the symphysis in the front.
In adult sharks, these cartilages remain cartilaginous, whereas in bony fishes and tetrapods, Meckel's cartilage is largely replaced or encased by dermal bones (like the dentary).
The other options do not relate to Meckel's cartilage:
- The inner ear is supported by the otic capsule.
- The gill cover (operculum) is absent in sharks, and where present in bony fishes, it is supported by opercular bones derived from the hyoid arch.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Thus, Meckel's cartilage supports the Lower jaw in the early development of sharks.
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