( ( The notochord ) ( ( is ( ( a ( cartilagelike rod ) ) ( that ( provides ( longitudinal support ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN notochord)) (VP (VBZ is) (NP (NP (DT a) (JJ cartilagelike) (NN rod)) (SBAR (WHNP (WDT that)) (S (VP (VBZ provides) (NP (JJ longitudinal) (NN support))))))) (. .)))
The notochord is a cartilagelike rod that provides longitudinal support.
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN notochord)) (VP (VBZ provides) (S (NP (NNS stiffness)) (VP (TO to) (VP (VB counterbalance) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN pull)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NNS muscles)))))))) (. .)))