Chapter 23: Problem 13
Match the organisms with their descriptions. _____echinoderms _____mollusks _____sponges cnidarians _____flatworms _____roundworms _____annelids _____arthropods a. complete gut, pseudocoelom b. tube feet, spiny skin c. simplest organ systems d. body with lots of pores e. jointed exoskeleton f. mantle over body mass g. segmented worms h. tentacles with stinging cells
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding Echinoderms
Identifying Mollusks
Recognizing Cnidarians
Pinpointing Sponges
Associating Flatworms
Identifying Roundworms
Associating Annelids
Recognizing Arthropods
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Echinoderms
**Structure and Movement**
Echinoderms have an internal skeleton made of calcareous plates, often spiny, extending through the skin. Their remarkable tube feet operate through a hydraulic system, allowing these animals to move, cling onto surfaces, and capture food. This movement mechanism is unique among marine animals and highlights their adaptive evolution.
**Symmetry and Regeneration**
Another cool feature is their radial symmetry, meaning their body parts are arranged around a central axis. This is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps them survive in their habitats. Moreover, echinoderms possess an extraordinary regenerative ability, capable of regrowing lost limbs, which is a fantastic adaptation against predators.
Mollusks
**The Mantle and Shell Formation**
The defining characteristic of mollusks is the mantle—a significant body structure that secretes calcium carbonate to form the shell. This shell acts as a protective armor, shielding the mollusk from predators and environmental elements.
**Diverse Forms**
Mollusks range from the simple and primitive to the complex and highly developed. Examples include snails, which have a spiral shell, clams with a bivalve shell, and the highly intelligent octopus, which lacks a shell altogether. This diversity is primarily due to their evolutionary success and adaptability in different environments.
**Feeding and Respiration**
Mollusks employ various methods for feeding: some graze on algae, while others, like octopuses, are skilled hunters. They have a radula—a tongue-like organ with tiny teeth, which helps in food ingestion. Additionally, most mollusks breathe through gills, facilitating gaseous exchange in aquatic environments.
Cnidarians
**Structure and Function**
Cnidarians typically exhibit a simple body plan consisting of a mouth surrounded by tentacles. Their bodies are mostly jelly-like, with two layers of cells called the epidermis and gastrodermis. The stinging cells play a crucial role not only in capturing prey but also in defense.
**Life Cycle and Symmetry**
Cnidarians showcase remarkable life cycles, often alternating between a sessile polyp form and a free-floating medusa form (as seen in jellyfish). They also display radial symmetry, allowing them to efficiently capture prey from any direction.
**Ecosystem Role**
Certain cnidarians, like corals, are vital to marine ecosystems, forming coral reefs that harbor immense biodiversity. These reefs provide habitats and food sources for numerous marine species, underlining the ecological significance of cnidarian species.
Annelids
**Segmentation and Locomotion**
The segmentation in annelids is not just a physical characteristic but a major evolutionary advancement. Each segment contains muscle groups that help in movement, giving annelids exceptional flexibility and enabling burrowing through soil or sediments.
**Circulatory System and Respiration**
These worms boast a closed circulatory system with blood vessels, which is more efficient than the open systems found in many invertebrates. While earthworms typically respire through their skin, some aquatic annelids have gills for breathing, underlining their adaptability.
**Role in the Environment**
Annelids like earthworms play a crucial role in improving soil structure and fertility. Their burrowing activity aerates the soil, enhancing water drainage and nutrient cycling, which benefits plant growth. Therefore, annelids are not only interesting creatures from an evolutionary perspective but also invaluable to ecosystems.