importance and habitat

Question 1

where are the areas that invertebrate live in?

Answer 1

• most invertebrate (in terms of biomass) live in the marine environment
• but they can also live on land (on top, as well as underground, in fresh water, and within other organisms (parasites

Question 2

What are some considerations that need to be made when thinking about water vs air environments?

Answer 2

• gas exchange
• fertilization
• waste
• absorption of nutrients
• structural support
• thermal stability

Question 3

Because of the environment they live in, marine organisms can be more _________, and do not require……

Answer 3

Because of the environment they live in, marine organisms can be more SIMPLE, and do not require THE COMPLEX BODY PLANS WE HAVE

Question 4

What are some challenges of an aquatic life?

Answer 4

• light penetration: does not go very far
• diffusion: air contains higher concentrations of gasses
• movement: reynolds number ratio
• Pollution: marine organisms has whole body gas exchange, so can absorb pollution easily

Question 5

How are invertebrates important to humans medically?

Answer 5

• use them to understand and control disease as both pathogens and vectors
• we can use them as models for disease study
• we can use them for drug discovery
• we can used them as surgical aids

Question 6

How are invertebrates important to humans economically?

Answer 6

• food production, we eat them (shrimp), and they also produce food for us (bees)
• production of non-food, such as silk, or pearls
• can use them in technology as biomimicry