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Why is a shark grouped in the class Pisces? Give a reason.

a) Sharks have scales.

b) Sharks have fins.

c) Sharks are mammals.

d) Sharks lay eggs.

User ADoubleSo
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Final answer:

Sharks belong to the class Chondrichthyes, which includes cartilaginous fishes with jaws, paired fins, and a skeleton made of cartilage. They possess several distinguishing features such as sharp teeth and a number of fins.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sharks are grouped in the class Pisces because this class is characterized by aquatic vertebrates that possess fins. In fact, sharks are not part of Pisces, but are a subset of fish known as the class Chondrichthyes, which is the class of cartilaginous fish.

They are distinguished from other fish by having a skeleton made of cartilage, rather than bone. Sharks also have multiple rows of sharp teeth and a number of fins that contribute to their classification. While some sharks do lay eggs (oviparous), this is not a defining characteristic of all shark species, as some are livebearers (viviparous).

User Anderas
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