Invertebrates: Phylum Cnidaria General-(EXAM 2)

Question 1

General Characteristics of Invertebrates

Answer 1

animals that lack a backbone (Vertical Column)

Question 2

Macroinvertebrates

Answer 2

aquatic invertebrates
ex) insects, crustaceans, snails, worms
inhabit river channels, ponds, lakes, wetlands or ocean
their abundance and diversity have been used as an indicator of ecosystem health and local biodiversity

Question 3

Benthic Invertebrates

Answer 3

play integral part in nutrient decomposition and cycling through riparian systems

Question 4

Phylum Cnidaria

Answer 4

ex) jellies, anemones and coral
about 9000 species
have radial symmetry

Question 5

Radial symmetry (Cnidaria)

Answer 5

body design arranged around a central axis

Question 6

Morphology (Cnidaria)

Answer 6

Polyps: sessile form (attached to substrate)- they float/drift before they settle down (Ex. Jellies begin as polyps)
Medusa: floating or free swimming form

Question 7

Gastrovascular Cavity (Cnidaria)

Answer 7

digestion occurs here

Incomplete digestive system= single opening that serves as the mouth and anus

Question 8

Incomplete digestive system

Answer 8

Single opening that serves as the mouth and anus

Question 9

Tentacles (Cnidaria)

Answer 9

extendable projections around the mouth that aid in capturing food

Question 10

Nematocysts (Cnidaria)

Answer 10

stinging cells that immobilize (paralyze) prey items

Question 11

Exoskeleton or Endoskeleton (Cnidaria)

Answer 11

Outside or inside
composed of Chitin, calcium carbonate (calcareius) or protein
ex)lobsters, crabs, crustacean

Question 12

Nerve Net (Cnidaria)

Answer 12

nervous system

nerve plexus for sensory perception, tentacle/nematocyst control

Question 13

Reproduction (Cnidaria)

Answer 13

asexual and sexual

Question 14

Bioluminescent (Cnidaria)

Answer 14

some are bioluminescent

Luciferin/luciferase

Question 15

Luciferin (Cnidaria)

Answer 15

a pigment that reacts with oxygen to produce light and luciferase

Question 16

Luciferase (Cnidaria)

Answer 16

an enzyme that speeds up the reaction

Question 17

Other (Cnidaria)

Answer 17

some species of Cnidaria are edible and are often used in Eastern Asian cuisine

Question 18

Other (Cnidaria)

Answer 18

humans are regularly killed or permanently disabled by the highly poisonous neurotoxins in the nematocysts of some cnidarians, particularly on the north coast of Australia (box jelly) and Portuguese man-o-war.