To answer the question in the simplest way, humans have a backbone.
However, there is more to it than that, especially given that there are two invertebrate chordate groups - Urochordata (tunicates) and Cephalachordata (lancelets) - whose backbone is not in the form of actual vertebrae.
As Chordates (or members of the phylum Chordata), human beings share the following characteristics:
dorsal nerve cord which is a bundle of nerve fibres which runs down the back. It connects the brain with the lateral muscles and other organs.
notochordwhich is a cartilaginous rod running underneath, and supporting, the nerve cord - in the case of humans, a spine.
post-anal tail - an extension of the body past the anal opening. (This feature is not always present in some adult Chordates such as frogs and humans)
Pharyngeal pouches - Chordates, at some stage of their life, have pharyngeal grooves and pouches that develop into other essential parts of their anatomy.
Humans are in Phylum Chordata because they possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail at some point during their development. These characteristics are defining traits of the phylum Chordata, to which humans belong.
Humans belong to the phylum Chordata, which is characterized by the presence of a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits at some point in their development.
The phylum to which humans belong is Chordata.Domain: EukaryotaKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataSubphylum: VertebrataClass: MammaliaSubclass: TheriaOrder: PrimatesSuborder: AnthropoideaFamily: HominidaeGenus: HomoSpecies: H. sapiensSubspecies: H. s. sapiens
Humans and lizards share the same level of classification as vertebrates, belonging to the Phylum Chordata.
Hamsters belong to the phylum Chordata.
A pig belongs to the phylum Chordata.
Phylum Chordata. Animals with backbones are in the Phylum Chordata. This includes humans and other primates.
Humans belong to the phylum Chordata, which is characterized by the presence of a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits at some point in their development.
Chordata
Frogs and humans both belong to the phylum Chordata.
Sea squirts are classified in the same phylum (Chordata) as humans.
Chordata
Phylum Chordata, like humans.
Phylum: ChordataPhylum: ChordataPhylum: ChordataPhylum: ChordataPhylum: ChordataPhylum: Chordata
Vertebrates belong in the phylum Chordata.
Mussels and humans are not closely related at all. Mussels are classified in the Mollusca phylum, while humans occupy the Chordata phylum.
Dogs are in the Chordata phylum, therefore Pit Bulls are in the Chordata phylum.
Dogs, humans, guppies, turtles, and all other vertebrates belong to Phylum Chordata.